Bantam C350 Restoration and Parts Challenges

[MikePhua]

The Bantam C350 excavator, built in the early 1960s, represents a transitional moment in American construction machinery—an era when cable‑operated cranes were giving way to hydraulic excavators, and small contractors were beginning to adopt mechanized digging equipment on a wider scale. Restoring a 1961 Bantam C350 today is both a mechanical challenge and a historical project, especially when sourcing boom components, cylinders, and structural parts that have not been manufactured for decades. Understanding the machine’s origins, design philosophy, and typical failure points helps guide owners through the restoration process.
Development Background of the Bantam C350
Bantam, originally known as the Schield Bantam Company, was one of the earliest American manufacturers to embrace hydraulic excavator technology. Founded in the 1940s, the company quickly gained a reputation for compact, truck‑mounted and crawler‑mounted excavators that were lighter and more affordable than the large cable shovels dominating the market.
By 1961, Bantam had introduced several models in the C‑series lineup, including the C350. This machine was designed to be:

• Compact enough for municipal and utility work
  
• Powerful enough for trenching, ditching, and small foundation excavation
  
• Simple to maintain with accessible hydraulic components
  
• Adaptable to multiple carriers, including crawlers and truck mounts
  

The C350 became popular with small contractors, farmers, and county road departments. Although exact sales numbers are difficult to verify, Bantam machines were widely distributed across the United States, especially in the Midwest.
Terminology notes:

• Hydraulic excavator: A machine that uses hydraulic cylinders instead of cables to move the boom, stick, and bucket.
  
• Boom foot pin: The main pivot pin connecting the boom to the upper structure.
  
• Turntable: The rotating platform that allows the upper body to swing.
  
• Carrier: The undercarriage or truck frame supporting the excavator upper structure.
  

Why Parts Are Difficult to Find Today
The biggest challenge for modern owners is sourcing structural components such as:

• Boom sections
  
• Boom foot castings
  
• Stick assemblies
  
• Bucket linkage parts
  
• Swing components
  

Several factors contribute to scarcity:

• Bantam ceased operations decades ago
  
• Successor companies did not continue producing legacy parts
  
• Many machines were scrapped during the 1980s steel‑recycling boom
  
• Surviving machines are often cannibalized for parts rather than repaired
  

Because of this, owners often rely on salvage yards, private collectors, or fabricating replacement components from scratch.
Common Wear Areas on the C350
Machines from the early 1960s typically show predictable patterns of wear:

• Boom foot castings crack from decades of stress
  
• Pins and bushings wear oval, causing excessive play
  
• Hydraulic cylinders leak due to outdated seal materials
  
• Swing gear teeth wear unevenly
  
• Structural welds fatigue from repeated loading
  

Many C350s were used hard in municipal work—digging ditches, clearing snow, loading gravel—and were rarely stored indoors. Exposure to weather accelerates corrosion, especially around the boom base and turntable.
Fabricating Replacement Boom Components
Because original boom parts are nearly impossible to find, many restorers fabricate replacements. This requires:

• Accurate measurement of boom geometry
  
• High‑strength steel plate
  
• Proper welding techniques to avoid stress cracking
  
• Reinforcement plates at high‑load points
  
• Machined bushings and pins to match original tolerances
  

Some owners choose to retrofit a boom from a later excavator, but this requires careful engineering to avoid overstressing the swing system or upper frame.
Hydraulic System Considerations
The C350 used early‑generation hydraulic pumps and valves that differ significantly from modern systems. Restorers often encounter:

• Obsolete pump designs
  
• Hard‑to‑find seal kits
  
• Outdated hose fittings
  
• Low‑pressure systems compared to modern excavators
  

Upgrading the hydraulic system is possible, but it must be done carefully to avoid overpowering the original structure.
Stories From the Field
Many older operators remember Bantam machines fondly. One county road worker recalled that the C350 was the first hydraulic excavator his department ever owned. Before that, ditching was done with a cable crane or by hand. The Bantam’s hydraulic boom allowed faster, more precise digging, even if the machine lacked the power of later excavators.
Another contractor remembered using a Bantam to dig basements in the early 1970s. He described the machine as “slow but unstoppable,” capable of working all day with minimal fuel and simple maintenance.
These stories highlight the C350’s role in democratizing mechanized excavation for small contractors.
Company Background
Schield Bantam was founded in Waverly, Iowa, and quickly became a major player in the early hydraulic excavator market. The company’s machines were known for:

• Lightweight design
  
• Simple hydraulics
  
• Affordable pricing
  
• Versatility across multiple carriers
  

Bantam was eventually acquired by Koehring, which itself was later absorbed by Terex. Over time, the Bantam brand disappeared, and with it the production of legacy parts.
Practical Recommendations for Restoring a C350

• Search for donor machines in agricultural regions where older equipment is often stored rather than scrapped.
  
• Contact vintage machinery clubs and collectors who may have parts inventories.
  
• Consider fabricating boom components using modern steel and welding techniques.
  
• Inspect the turntable and swing gear thoroughly before investing in cosmetic restoration.
  
• Replace all hydraulic hoses and seals to prevent leaks.
  
• Document all measurements and modifications for future maintenance.
  
• Keep expectations realistic—restoring a 1961 excavator is a labor of passion, not a commercial investment.
  

Conclusion
Restoring a 1961 Bantam C350 excavator is both a mechanical challenge and a tribute to early hydraulic engineering. With original parts scarce, owners must rely on creativity, fabrication skills, and the support of vintage equipment communities. Despite its age, the C350 remains a symbol of the era when hydraulic excavators first transformed small‑scale construction work. With patience and careful workmanship, these machines can be brought back to life and preserved as working pieces of construction history.