Ford 550 Excavator Digger, Like Jcb Telehandler

I bought this digger at a farm sale a couple of years ago, simply for light use. It's a bit tatty, but worked fine apart from some overheating. Thinking it would be a quick repair, we took a look at the head gasket and discovered that someone had fitted an incorrect piston. Anyway, with the head now off it was added to that list of projects to be done. And it's still sitting there in the yard.

The engine piston and gasket sets are the same apparently as the Ford 3000, which are readily available on classifieds board. Therefore if you are handy in the workshop and fancy a weekend DIY project, this is an easy project to get going. There is one almost new rear type, a wide rear bucket, the hydraulics seemed fine other than a few minor leaks here and there. The cab is rusy, and a crack to the windscreen. I drove it in the yard and used it for about a month.

There are two working 550's on classifieds board today. One is £3850, the other £3450. There's also one that is listed as overheating and that's priced at £1500. I want £900 for the machine, and you should allow for the engine rebuild kit costing about £300. I won't take offers, as I am happy to sell the tyres and rams, then scrap the rest.

Based near Helston and the buyer must collect. I am unable to deliver.