No perfect answer exists. Here’s how to find yours.
I run a small road-building crew in the Midwest. In 2019, I bought a used Leeboy 635 grader for $38,000. Sounded like a deal. By the time I fixed the transmission, sourced the right parts, and dealt with the downtime, I was into it for nearly $52,000 and three weeks of lost schedule. Looking back, I should have bought new from a dealer with a warranty. At the time, the price looked too good to pass up.
That mistake taught me something important: there is no universal “best” choice when it comes to Leeboy equipment or parts. Your situation—your budget, timeline, mechanical confidence, and local support—determines the right path. This article walks through the three most common scenarios I’ve seen, based on my own blunders and about 15 conversations with other contractors. By the end, you’ll know which bucket you fall into and exactly what to do next.
Scenario A: You’re on a tight budget and have wrenching skills
If you’ve rebuilt a diesel engine before and have a heated shop, a used Leeboy 635 grader can be a steal. I’ve seen clean machines go for $25,000–$40,000 depending on hours and region. But here’s the thing the online forums won’t tell you: the Leeboy parts manual is your new best friend. I learned this the hard way.
In my first year (2017), I ordered a hydraulic pump based on the machine serial number alone. The part arrived and didn’t fit. Turned out Leeboy made a running change in 2014 that shifted the mounting bracket. I didn't check the parts manual’s revision date. That error cost $890 in restocking fees plus a 1-week delay. So if you go this route, download the latest Leeboy parts manual from their site (as of January 2025, the PDF is free), cross-reference every part number, and call a dealer to verify before you buy.
The most frustrating part of buying used: you don't always know what you're getting. You’d think a test drive would reveal everything. But hidden issues —like worn bearings in the circle gear—won’t show up until 20 hours of work later. So budget 15% extra for unexpected repairs. If you can handle that, a used 635 is a solid machine. If you can’t, skip to Scenario C.
Scenario B: You need reliable uptime and hate fixing things
If your crew’s schedule is tight —say you’re doing subdivision roads with a deadline penalty—buying new Leeboy equipment from an authorized dealer is the smarter bet. I resisted this for years because of the price tag. But after the 635 disaster, I took a hard look at the numbers.
New Leeboy 635 graders (as of Q3 2024 dealer quotes) run about $85,000–$105,000 depending on options. That’s 2–3x the used price. But you get a factory warranty, dealer support, and—critically—the right parts the first time. The last part is huge. I once called a “local” parts supplier who claimed to have Leeboy parts. They sent me an aftermarket filter set that cost me $450 in wasted labor. With a dealer, you get genuine Leeboy parts, and they’ll even look up your model year in their system.
If I could redo that decision, I’d invest in a new machine and finance the difference. But given what I knew then—nothing about Leeboy’s parts variability—my choice was understandable. The lesson: if downtime means losing a contract, new equipment is the insurance policy.
Scenario C: You need parts but don’t have a local dealer
This is the most common problem I hear about. You’re running a Leeboy 685 or 785 grader on a rural job, and a hydraulic line blows. You need parts yesterday. The nearest Leeboy dealer is 200 miles away. What do you do?
My go-to when dealers are far: find a specialized online parts distributor. I’ve used Crewe Tractor (based in Texas, ships nationwide) for emergency parts twice. Both times, they had the part in stock and shipped same day. The downside—shipping isn’t cheap. First time, I paid $65 for overnight on a $120 control lever. But compared to a day of downtime, it was worth it.
There's something satisfying about having a backup parts source you trust. After scrambling for three years, I now keep a spreadsheet with three contacts: my local Leeboy dealer, Crewe Tractor, and a nearby independent rebuilder for common wear items. That list saved me on a $3,200 emergency order in September 2022.
How to know which scenario fits you
Here’s a quick self-check I give to every contractor who asks me:
- Question 1: Can you afford to lose 1 week of work? If no, you’re Scenario B — buy new. If yes, go to Q2.
- Question 2: Do you have a covered space and basic mechanical tools? If yes, you’re Scenario A — used can work. If no, you’re Scenario C — focus on parts sourcing and dealer support.
- Question 3: Is there a Leeboy dealer within 50 miles? If yes, stick with them. If no, build your parts network now, before you break down.
I recommend the new dealer route for most contractors who depend on uptime. But if you’re in the other 20%—the DIY types or those in remote areas—the used market with solid parts support is your path. Just don’t skip the parts manual check. It’s the one tool that kept me from repeating my biggest mistake.
