Need input on M108 purchase

[ida34]

I know it has been a while. I have been pretty busy and have not had time to post much. I had some misfortune in my life and my wife passed away. Now I want to build a pole barn workshop to help take up my spare time. This is why you guys did not see me at Findley this year. I am going to build the barn with my son and daughter and I came across a M108. I figured it would be good to help build the barn and just fun in general. The truck was a runner a few years ago. The guy is a farmer and when he needs it he takes out a jerry can and battery and fires it up. It is still a gasser. It needs a front winch, door glass, batteries and it leaks down hydraulic fluid over time. He said he uses it once every few years and he has to fill up the hydraulic reservoir when he uses it. I will look for any obvious leaking at the fittings as I know they are unobtainable. One wheel cylinder is also leaking. Not a big deal. He said he does not have the travel locks or the ground supports for the boom. It does have the outriggers. We are at the $3000 range. What do you guys think? The boom looks straight with no bow to it. What is the max height it will lift a truss? Open up the discussions.

Chuck

 

[gimpyrobb]

I say build the barn bigger than the 108 so you can use it un-obstructed in the winter.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Chuck, I lost your number, call me.

 

[Junkyard Wars Crusher]

Chuck,

Welcome back. Sorry to hear of the loss of your wife.

There several M108 owners here that should be able to help with questions.

Do you have any pictures? We would love to see them and maybe we can see what's there, and more importantly, what's missing.

 

[Junkyard Wars Crusher]

What is the max height it will lift a truss?
Chuck

There is is a little estimation and some variables here. The extended boom is 16' long at 45 degrees, add the height to the ground (~8'), Roughly 20' to the tip of the boom? then subtract the length of the rigging/cable/hook etc.

 

[ida34]

The boom supports are missing and there is no BII. I had the pic but can't copy it for some reason. The pic is not that good to find little things but the works lights are there but the boom supports are missing.

 

[Stretch44875]

How rusty is it? Any pics?
With the truck weighing over 19,000lbs, scrap value may be close to or over the 3,000 mark.

No ground supports for the boom come with M108's.
Travel/boom supports or locks can be had from a M62. Some M108s had adjustable ones, same as M62's, others were non adjustable.

Depends on how tall your trusses are. I've attached a piece of antenna tower to mine before for lifting light loads higher.

I would say the price is not bad, depending on condition. If the sheet metal is straight and not rusty, that is a huge bonus.

Mine was 1700, but it WAS a very neglected and very rusty truck.

 

[hndrsonj]

3K is a steal for a M108.

 

[54reo]

Buy it, M108's make great lawn ornaments.

 

[Junkyard Wars Crusher]

View attachment 341541Buy it, M108's make great lawn ornaments.

NICE !!

Is that the first public showing of this vehicle?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Expect hose replacements and there are a few fittings made of unobtanium. There is a thread going on the fitting topic now. If it's reasonably complete and you can test out operation of the boom, it's worth the cash. Sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to the PM, just got back home.

 

[54reo]

NICE !!

Is that the first public showing of this vehicle?

I believe so....

(I really need to do a write up)

 

[gimpyrobb]

View attachment 341541Buy it, M108's make great lawn ornaments.

Thats the one I was telling you about on the phone Chuck. Like I said, if you hurry, I bet you could buy the parts you need before Stretch and Crusher get out there!

 

[ida34]

I am going to look at it on Sunday and hopefully bring it home. I was bidding on the M936 out of Redstone and had it up to the last few minutes. I was out at $5200 and it went for the bid after my last bid. I did get a M925 out of Lansing for a song at $3400. Gimpy made a good point of the M108 being smaller and easier to move around. I am not sure on rust but the long distance shot looked OK. Since I did not get the M936 I think I will get this one. I will post picks later. If he can start it for me and I can check the operation of everything I think I will be pulling it home.


Kenny,
No problem on the late response. I did spy the thread on the fittings. I also have a CNC machine that I had to stop working on when my wife got sick. I hope to get it up and running soon and if I can get a working adapter fitting I will let people know and try to put out a few for sale. I would not expect this for a while as I still need to learn how to work it properly. This would be a good leaning experience.

 

[Recovry4x4]

They are super simple in design and operation. Nothing like an M62 or egads, an M936. Smaller and at only 20,000# they don't rut soft yards like a 5 ton wrecker. Deuce platform is easy to maintain and less costly. I love the utilitarian nature of mine and will sorely miss it when it's gone.

 

[Stretch44875]

I just wish mine ran! New engine for it is sitting about 20 feet away from it.... Just need to find the time to install it.

 

[swbradley1]

Chuck, I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I'll let everyone else comment about the truck.

steve

 

[gimpyrobb]

They are super simple in design and operation. Nothing like an M62 or egads, an M936. Smaller and at only 20,000# they don't rut soft yards like a 5 ton wrecker. Deuce platform is easy to maintain and less costly. I love the utilitarian nature of mine and will sorely miss it when it's gone.

WHats your 108 selling for Kenny? Maybe Chuck could buy it and "keep it in the family".

 

[Recovry4x4]

I'm closing in on a deal to swap it for an M1010 ambulance with chevyc60. If that falls through I'll consider a cash sale. My reasons for the swap with Roy is 2 fold. I get the ambulance I want and the M108 will only be a couple of miles away should I need a lift.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Yup, I forgot, nevermind.