Big Old 98,000 Pound Komatsu PC400 Excavator for Sale - Will it Run and Operate?

[@PaTrIcKat1995]

Rpm surge is the governor motor. Seeing this has electronic throttle I’d have to say one of the phases is out of the gov. motor. Tip: to cancel cold idle warmup mode, before start turn the dial to 100% for 8-10 seconds then return to low setting; start it. It should low idle. Also turn the pilot pressure up to 32-40 KG (500-600 psi.) you’ll notice a speed difference in the functions. Great machine but parts are very scarce for these anymore. I have been a komatsu master tech for a few years now.

[@arseniosanchez8686]

Typical on the pc400lc-5 with the cummins engine.

[@PaTrIcKat1995]

@@arseniosanchez8686 -6 has problems with it too.

[@danskustomairbrushin]

yeah i agree with everythinng patrick said ....im not as impressed with them but but looking into the gov phases and wiring and pot would be a good jumping point. ive worked on a few komatsu's and these govenor motors seem to be very temperamental combined sometimes with weird spring dampening linkage made from the highest grade of chinesium(went thought about 1-2 a year of oem komatsu gov linkage on the pc120lc6 i worked onif i rember right they had a revison to that part twice i think) . combine that with poor wiring harness routing(often routed as neer to pinchpoints as possible and as low as possible to make sure it was for sure to get soaked with hydraulic oil at some point), not so quality yet pretty pricy electronic- pots , motors, sensors, ect. the majority of the problems we came across were electrical , mixed with annoying "komatsu" hydraulic fittings and just a general lack of well thought out engineering on silly stuff and dependability. these are fine machines just disappointing in my opinion it wouldn't be my first choice for any business needing dependability, fine for some one looking for something on there property or farm or small operation especial if its any older than say 2008ish. the manuals leave alot to be desired as well. they aren't the worst machines by any means just disappointing worked on a pc120 lc6 pc200lc8 pc180 lc8 D85-12 pc220-8 pc400lc7

[@Joebummy]

I don’t work on tractors but I knew it sounded like a controlled surge

[@Free-j3t]

FYI boys, my 1986 pc 200-3 has 19,000hrs on it and hasn’t missed a beat. She spent her prime working in civil, bulking out, hammering, doing sewer connect and final trim, her older years in forestry. now she’s in semi retirement making our land look pretty. In saying that my father bought it new and we both know how to look after our gear. A few ram seals, new set of chains, some pins and bushes is all she’s had done. Shows how long gear can last if you’re not a cowboy.

[@SteveGardner-i1x]

Operated this series for 8 years with a felco bedding conveyor, pipe and massex, I put over 10,000 hours on it .good ride

[@DrewskiusMaxiumusTheThird]

I just love the fact it went from using multimeters to just raw dogging the starter

[@belz775]

actually insane, good laugh

[@shaneharrison9609]

Those older Komatsu’s are excellent machines!! Hard to kill.

[@finski1330]

I work with Komatsu 15 years and older are better!

[@kevinoscarson2941]

Komatsu are excellent. Especially the older ones.

[@jeffbriggs7120]

Parts very expensive but it looks good

[@Free-j3t]

The old -3s to 5s were more reliable than the cats of the day

[@madrx2]

@@kozy41 They ran the komatsu SA6D125E

[@michaelovitch]

Sounds like more a safety fuel cut than a surge. It's maybe a accelerator cable or fuel solenoid badly adjusted wich make it over rev,so the fuel cut is doing its job at reducing rpm.

[@cw7653]

You know you got a quality machine when there’s grass growing in the cab and it still runs

[@metallicknight2]

Nice find. Those PC400s used to be the Komatsu flagship model back in the day. Those things are absolutely bullet proof.

[@RSA_Shadow]

use to operate a PC300, other then an operator running the fuel dry and killing the diaphragm pump (one electrical pump later) and a starter dicking about you told her to work and she did it, even if she was parked up for 6 months. one of the most reliable machines we ever had

[@lordjaashin]

Komatsus are very reliable. peak japanese engineering. unfortunately they are not that common in USA. in Asian countries, Komatsus absolutely dominate CAT

[@williamk.7129]

@@lordjaashin One night in 2004, the komatsu dozers got pretty popular after their free commercial on every news station in America 🙂

[@djmips]

@@williamk.7129 Marvin

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

@@djmips No step on snek.

[@jlucasound]

@ 12:25 ...and he drove off into the Sunset. Legend has it, he is still going, looking for that Big Gold Mine in the West, only stopping for Fuel and Beer. He can't shut it off, ever.

[@supahonkey]

I don't understand why these heavy equipment manufacturers don't use replaceable bushings between the pin and the welded bushing. I own a large machine shop. We currently have a job where a company's scissor lift has wollard bores as a result of the pins wearing away the bores. We had to bore the wollard bores oversize and weld in a turned sleeve. We then bought an Oilite bronze bushing, but grease grooves on the ID of the bushing, shrank it with liquid nitrogen and installed it in the new sleeves. Now the pin rides freely, has a PROPER bearing surface, and has grease grooves so more of the grease can get to the pin surface. It's amazing that bores in the welded steel plates, some grease and a pin are acceptable in the heavy equipment world. I certainly haven't seen a ton of heavy equipment, but we manage to do this repair quite often.

[@KT3406E]

Virtually every earthmoving machine has replaceable bushings between the pin and the pin bore.

[@williamstamper442]

I was fixin' Christmas Eve dinner and didn't get to watch, just listen. Reckon I'll have to watch this whole thing again and pay attention next time. Merry Christmas to all you fellers out there. Wishing the best to y'all and your families.

[@andyanderson25]

I just bought one of these 3 weeks ago at an auction in similar condition. a heap of work ahead of me finding leaks and re doing the stick cylinder but the machine has a bit of soul to it. you can tell its worth looking after even though its old.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

I have the GB-70 version of your power pack and I was blown away after we tested it on four trucks back to back three of which were 5.9 Cummins. If they only had a quality version with a tire inflator as I'm on my sixth now. Edit: manually engaging the starter is why I'm here. Not many people would have thought of that. Definitely something I'm going to remember.

[@williamuskoski1385]

Those big jump packs are the shit. We have one in our shop at work

[@FarmerSteveO]

Great bush fix getting it started on a Sunday and miles from home! That machine looks like it’s still got some life left in it with a little TLC.

[@Greg_Gatsby]

This might be a suitable companion for the haul truck you acquired a while back. Counterweight is beat up some and the undercarriage needs some love, but it’s willing to work. Good job bringing it to life! 👍

[@markbaker3172]

Didn't pull the oil drain plug?

[@EchoTangoSuitcase]

I was pretty impressed by how fast it fired once you spun it.

[@jeremyjmailloux]

My dad had a similar vintage PC200LC4. We had to rebuild it after 19,000 hours as it was getting low on power. 4 of the 6 cylinders had broken compression rings. Block still had the cross hatch in the cylinders. The wrist pin bearings were fine and even the crank bearings were still about 50%. Darn tough machine. It got sold to a guy in Venezuela with over 23,000 hours on the clock.

[@blackpete]

That really not common to see, usually if I see an older one like the - 4 the machine is shot before the engine. They usually have things like overall worn bushings and play in the slewing gears.

[@jonlowe8727]

Plenty of life left in the old girl. Top content, thanks for taking us along

[@AdvancedUSA]

In 1986 I had the pleasure of spending about 20 minutes in a new PC-1000. It could load an 18 CY tri-axle to spill with two passes. Had pilot operated controls which made it very easy to control - like a good video game.

[@DEPORTER_SUPPORTER]

PC-1000 is 100 ton.

[@duck_6983]

"Since this time and two more will be the third time I've done this".....LMFAO - Y'all are hilarious, the dry humor is too good! Former submariner and shitty weekend amateur mechanic here, trying to fix up the '65 Chevrolet stepside that my grandpa gave me before passing away. I've learned tons of good information and tricks/tips from your videos. Will never touch a piece of heavy equipment in my life probably, but this is high quality entertainment and is much appreciated! Best of luck to ya!

[@dougdelane3642]

My father had the same excavator growing up, sadly it died in the woods threw a rod and grenaded the engine. Now that's not being tough on Komatsu, the only maintenance that piece of equipment got was a wash when it was raining.

[@russphillips3732]

Lol

[@PageMarker1]

"Let me on this piece of shit real quick." Never thought that thing would start in a million years and wondered why a 20 minute video? Fires right up...)) Good job, KT & pops!

[@Free-j3t]

I never doubted for 1 second

[@PageMarker1]

@@Free-j3t O me of little faith. Merry Christmas to you...))

[@Free-j3t]

@@PageMarker1 merry Christmas! You just haven’t owned one or grown up with machines

[@henrywhittingham1215]

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[@Free-j3t]

@@henrywhittingham1215 no you won’t

[@lovellrodriguez8567]

👍very very dependable we have 1 on our ranch bought it at auction worth every penny .replaced all filters change all the fluids .including fuel

[@mikeglynn3676]

great machines. easy to work on. no little sensor that will shut your machine down like the new ones until the dealers mechanic comes out to rob you blind!

[@russellking9762]

reference to John Deere....or when they do decide to answer the phone by that your'e like "Dear John"

[@joe_tipakuah4880]

Komatsu machines are the toughest beast on any jobsites.I operated the komatsu PC300 to PC500 excavator in the quarry in 2018-2019 before moving to construction and again back in quarry.Komatsu machines have great reliability and heavy duty to amy jobsites.Wave from Malaysia my friend!!

[@iBackshift]

Pretty hard to beat the reliability of those generation of Komatsu diggers. I wonder if that 400 has the M11 Cummins in it. My best bud has over 14k hours on his old 89x200LC.

[@jeffersonmoctezuma3733]

It looks like an l10 or m11 Cummins

[@onelee8523]

l10

[@dzrdr65]

Never saw that vintage with an M11 from the factory. but have seen it with the 855 cummins. I don't think the M11 will cut it with these pumps.

[@crazzydain]

They have the 8.3 Cummins.

[@ATK111]

Late 80s early 90s Komatsu. Reliable old machines.

[@ramosel]

I had faith you could monkey that starter to work, I was surprised how quick it lit once you got it to spin. Merry Christmas.

[@Kraig5821]

Made for youtube not reality.

[@dzrdr65]

My 2 cents, Tracks definitely loose, sprocket's are shot. Common crack's in boom are lift pin anchor and stick cylinder anchor. Shimmy up that boom and look. Basically anywhere there are bushing's worn un even put's additional stress on boom and stick. Stretch boom out and sleight down pressure, hold at that point and measure upper structure to lower structure. Lift boom and measure again. This gives you swing bearing wear. At $10000 for a bearing this is important. Outside of these, this was an awesome Machine if you needed something this big. Bitch to move sometimes dependent on state you are in, but good machines. I have also seen the swing bearing crack so look closely between bolt's.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

I don't own nor work on construction equipment but I like learning as much as I can so I appreciate people like you that take the time to write a comment that educates and helps others. I've saved thousands from reading comments alone so again, thanks.

[@birdvalenchez]

@@tihspidtherekciltilc5469 I'm the same way, i love comments like that lol

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Wow I didn’t think the swing bearing was that pricey?

[@dzrdr65]

@@duncandmcgrath6290 2.5 ton of internal tooth ball bearing precision ground to .002" or metric equilevent with 96 25mm bolt's each 150 mm long don't come cheap. Then add in the labor of spliting the machine upper structure from the lower and 10 years ago that was the bill.

[@bohnjordello6809]

@@dzrdr65 we had the same issue with our komatsu about 1 year ago. Repair cost with some other small stuff would be around 15000€ here in germany. Sadly that was the reason to let the old girl go. We got a liebherr 936 as replacement, but the old komatsu will definitely be missed.

[@ianm432]

It's funny how grass will grow in the most random places on its own but not when you love the fuck out of it in your yard.

[@erniemathews5085]

Thank you, gentlemen, for taking the time to show us this interesting and skilled work.

[@metocvideo]

This is what I like to see, real men fixing real world problems without any fuss. Good guys to have around when tshtf…….

[@Rx7man]

Looks like a good machine to buy for a specific job and write it off on that job.. you got a job that's going to cost you $30K to dig, you buy this and run it the way it is.. Looks like it hasn't dug in rock at all..fair bit of hours but it hasn't been shit kicked, just lacking some TLC for a while

[@carl4043]

I agree that doesn't even look like a construction machine- the house is too nice. My guess would be aggregate or topsoil only, especially with those hours it was run a lot but not hard

[@ai_university]

That is low hours for a 50 ton komatsu

[@dclfarms6204]

Looks like it was probably used to clean those miles and miles of irrigation ditches along the roadside.

[@benjaminsmith4058]

That was a pretty awesome jump start!

[@171apples171]

HELL YEAH i love Komatsu machines. Best/funnest loader i ever worked on and operated was a Komatsu 250 with great big ass forks on it. I moved stainless steel intercoolers and drums over to the plasma cutter with it. I think i liked the loader so much because every time i was out of it, i was getting showered with slag lol

[@musicauthority9939]

I have the exact same Snap On ratchet. I probably wouldn't say it's unbreakable. but I have put mine through a lot of hell over the years. and it's always given me really good service. I agree after firing it up checking out that big ole Komatsu excavator. that it was time to go get a cheeseburger. I really like your philosophy it's always spot on.

[@mileaux]

The company I work for had a job in the early 2000’s that they ran a PC1000 on. Sadly I never got to see it but every time they had to move that sucker, they had to remove the stick and load it on a 9 axle truck. What a unit.

[@DEPORTER_SUPPORTER]

100 ton

[@prayformojo1117]

I had an old 5.0 mustang I used to start with a long handle screw driver off the hot terminal to the relay.

[@DanEBoyd]

I've done those from both sides of the car! Carbureted Mustangs have it on the passenger side, and the EFI 5.0 Mustangs have it on the driver side.

[@kwmiked]

Thats nice

[@_Boobz]

Had to take a screwdriver to the starter solenoid on a old 5.0 bronco, eventually wired in a push start cuz I got tired of doing it manually

[@kevinwilson868]

that engine looked clean and started right away, no smoke seems like it has good compression

[@davidmcgee2983]

Nothing wrong with the old komatsu's😉 tough machines, and can take a beating.

[@myallisg3388]

Mate your dead right, we have a Komatsu FG25 forklift with a Nissan H20 gasoline motor in it and it spent its entire life from when it was brand new, on the limiter around the shed. I mean that thing copped more pain them those Detroit's KT blew up

[@chadsimmons6347]

Well the bucket didnt wobble much, nothing leaking really bad, everything moved, buy the damn thing!

[@zonie1953]

I like the plain english used on this channel !

[@davehertle]

This time and two more (in the future) will make 3 times I have done this. Plain ole good ole boy plain talk.

[@zonie1953]

@@davehertle 👍

[@geoffrey6000]

Awesome seeing another video! Your videos are always so chill and some of the nicest to watch!

[@stevengardner8494]

I operated this series 400 komastu with a felco bedding conveyor. For 8 years one company.

[@pecheur1951]

Just linebore every joint and install new bushes, pins and grease nipples. Some tlc and new hydraulic lines would be nice too.

[@Mad.Man.Marine]

Thing looks like it’s in great shape especially for its age. Maybe some bushings and new pins. But that’s to be expected.

[@VAMPYV12]

One of the best if not the best KZbin channels about! Keep up the amazing work

[@Nathan-pw7do]

Sounds like someone might've played with the governor trying to speed her up a little. The governors should stop working against each other if you back the vs section down 50-100 rpm.

[@azwrenchmaster5334]

I agree. Sounds like it's over revving by a couple hundred rpms.

[@jakewilkerson]

A video from KT? It really is Christmas.

[@tommyk1073]

Nice machine..cycle times looked slow on hydraulics judging how slow the stick and dipper moved..unless you guys weren’t full on the controls. Engine fired right up, sounded strong…tracks might need to be tightened, I’ve seen those things walk themselves off the sprocket. Any stress cracks in stick or dipper? Probably be a nice farm machine..certainly dig a deep hole.

[@einfelder8262]

Low hydraulic oil, so the guys were being cautious, I'd say. Signs of lack of maintenance as the machine got closer to not being useful for the owner.

[@Free-j3t]

If it’s got the swash plate piston pump, the swash plate may not be angling over to high volume.

[@ctdieselnut]

I was wondering about that. I don't know if they said it made it to the sight glass or not. I'm guessing not, I think a couple times I could hear the pump cavitation begging for more fluid. They probably only had 1 jug with them.

[@brucemitch928]

Dipper seems good speed going out, might just need an adjustment to the flow control valve on dipper cyl in function….

[@JonsDailyHustle]

Might be a little rough but something about seeing older equipment run brings a me joy lol

[@simonbarber7653]

Works best if you plug jump pack on at start motor shortest route for electrical

[@loadblock4995]

I’ve run one with over 20k on it, I was impressed.

[@loadblock4995]

That was over 12 years ago and I know they still have it!

[@ceaser6411]

Did anyone else look at the steel bridge and wonder if that 100,000 pound monster was gonna crush it

[@robbalinski1606]

not at all likely, especially seeing as its farm country and they know farmers will take they're tractors, seeders and combines on it. It'll be engineered to take some weight, 100,000lbs really isn't all that heavy in general.

[@haydona1845]

@@robbalinski1606 in general? There isn't one bridge in my county or any neighboring counties that could take that weight

[@ducewags]

@@haydona1845 And in my area we load a haul truck or a D-11 on 2 flatbeds pulled by two trucks side by side down the highway to the repair shop, or the dismantle area for rebuilds.

[@guyod1]

@@ducewags going to have to search for that.

[@ducewags]

@@guyod1 "Ellefson off Highway." channel here on the tube. Located just East of Hibbing Minnesota United States. Hope that helps you with the search.

[@gethinjones1348]

Fantastic video mate, using your mechanical skills and know how to get her started and running makes awesome content man! 👍🏻

[@hairymoobs]

Them little jump boxes are gold to have. I love mine

[@TheSoloAsylum]

If the price is right, that's a hell of a machine.

[@williamhague2768]

Those are not Prom Queens but they are good machines if taken care of. Good sized rig... Good Luck

[@bruceduncan2346]

A Dash 5 Komatsu in good shape will did head to head with anything built today. Strong as an Ox and smooth like butter

[@Rktman129]

The rollers on the tracks don’t even squeak. That’s gotta be worth the buy right there

[@godbluffvdgg]

Nice to see her up and running...

[@ryanmanuel1763]

These are really really good machines i got a 200 just like it. Last forever

[@ryanmanuel1763]

U can turn the pump up a little and make it fast as lighting lol

[@MikeSmith-nm5ru]

That's the kind of magic that makes us country boys smile. Nice work but should have hammed it up some more with some bubble gum and paperclips for everyone else that had no idea what you were doing.

[@ExpSeth]

The “Alright here we go”. “Here we go”. Was so funny 10:57

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Not sure why you guys rev it up like that, it’s gpm rating doesn’t change . Not surging , it’s governing

[@johnhall3824]

Quality Christmas programming. I like it.

[@Free-j3t]

I’m not trying to claim I know for sure but seems like the swash plate in the pump isn’t angling over to high volume

[@benpatsy2076]

I love the way that this guy speaks..

[@AlanSextonVT]

"Alright, let's go a cheesburger." Hahahaha... Merry Christmas @KT3406E

[@johnhoffman8203]

Your gonna flip a track off at some point unless it still has adjustment it (probably doesnt). Pins need replacing on all of them. The rams look ok, dont leak much. I'd guess 7K and a cheeseburger (delux).

[@dustyroads834]

I’ve never seen one of these with an L-10 Cummins before. Seen them with NTC 855s. They were built under license by Komatsu.

[@petr0rabbit]

now that's some real reality show

[@richardlincoln8438]

Appreciate Your sense of humor, Thanks for sharing... 💪👍

[@rolandtamaccio3285]

Yes, it was reved, but it wasn't over-reved and wasn't up high all that much . Yes, it took a little minute to settle in at the governed rpm, so what . What do you think he wants this machine for, to deliver Amazon packages ?

[@rcdoebbora]

Amazing Excavator

[@nckmackay]

Check for binding in the servo linkage for the throttle control might be the cause of the surge. seen it happen once before

[@frankwallace5174]

the best friggin channel on youtube 👍

[@cmo6588]

Won’t start - gonna need a bigger hammer 🔨 .. I like that snap ring battery cleaner tool, have one just like it .. and they way he MacGyvered the starter - classic in the field on a cold sunless Sunday .. But she fired up and sounds pretty healthy .. I’d trade my Jeep for it … Those ol Komatsus are built like tanks . Can run the dog piss out of them putem away wet and they will still come back for more .. Ok so a little slack in the pins - to be expected… Always great content ! Hope you guys have a great and wonderful Merry Christmas!

[@brannonwhite3036]

Question: Why would you go an hour into “nowhere” WITHOUT your tools, some bell wire, WD 40, and other stuff you might need (like hydraulic fluid)?

[@ezboy1078]

Not going to lie but this is awesome seeing. I actually work for komatsu here in Lebanon Ky.

[@sikhswim]

That was the most awesome engine start ever!!!

[@patriciareynolds2729]

ED, i put aftermarket solenoid on my komatsu to the oil valve at joy stick . wired it to battery cause safety switches broke . the solenoid gets hot and stops until it cools. does komatsu have voltage limiter here or a pulsing voltage to solenoid? thanks

[@mongolsmffm4829]

When you said "well....it ain't exactly leak free" ....and panned around to the motor i fucking died laughing...

[@davidhofer7746]

Never really say much..I have ran maybe 7 or 8 of those old 400s. Strong machine. Not a 235 but..just watch the final drives. Everyone had problems..they just where not strong enough..they fix with the advance machine..but every old 400 had one blown final..always limp it around..great pipe machine..dont walk much. Just FYI..good luck..

[@albertemanuello7471]

A healthy cat 235 would break a 400 in half. , the 400s were good for lighter work and a still had enough reach. not a bad machine in hard digging nothing will dig like a healthy 235 especially the Cs Ds. power houses and then some, and the 235 sound is hard to beat.

[@late221]

Nice find excawator is super useful it is so easy to kift and move stuff and little maintanance like grese and let it warm a little berfore using and keep it running at idle after ysing a short time they last take it back those joint are kinda loose🤣 now that I watched the video

[@miztatone918]

sounds good. definitely in good shape and worth cleaning up and fixing all the maintenance items. it would be a good machine still has alot of life in it.

[@metalugiamirante1214]

I liked the video, I with an old machine like this, still operational, I would spend the whole year working and earning money. here in Brazil only the PC 150 came in this version. year 1984 more or menus

[@BuschHawg]

5:25 "you got a hammer" *next scene is banging starter with a random piece of metal* every time lmao

[@rockinrolla1301]

I ran one a few years newer than this one awhile back for a bit, good machine never had any problems with it

[@eddieweigel9490]

My friend here in New Jersey has a 300 LC komatsu really good machine can’t kill them cummins engine looks pretty tight

[@jorkula67]

Thanks for the interesting video. I would have asked which device (with an electric cable) at the beginning of the video on that car dashboard?

[@drewmurray2583]

That's a nice old excavator! I'd buy it!

[@paulcochrane6268]

Of all these videos this is the first time I’ve seen anyone clean the posts and terminals

[@redneckracing674.5]

amazing christmas present! merry christmas bud!

[@dougkratz5269]

Lol! It took till 22:24mins in,but we finally got it"alright,let's go get a f#@:&+g cheeseburger!". Priceless

[@thebegrsshow]

No need to worry about the pins & bushings, I'm sure the replacement stick on the flatbed is fine, just fine...LMAO!

[@OsoDuramax45]

Been waiting for more content hell yeah!

[@Bruningable]

There was a pretty awesome PC400LC 1:32 scale model with steel tracks by Joal. Always wanted one as a kid, never got it...

[@williamuskoski1385]

They still make em

[@bubbakushingtonIII]

Merry Christmas bud and Happy New Year

[@Juzzy520]

Love old stuff being started!💪💪🥰🥰

[@michaelwebber4033]

That started easier than I expected it to