Keeping the Daewoo 1550XL Alive: Sourcing Parts for a Legacy Skid Steer

[MikePhua]

The Challenge of Aging Equipment
The Daewoo 1550XL skid steer, now over two decades old, remains a reliable workhorse for many small farms and construction outfits. But as time passes, sourcing parts becomes increasingly difficult. With Daewoo’s transition to Doosan, and further integration into Hyundai Doosan Infracore, legacy support has become fragmented. Owners often find themselves navigating a maze of outdated manuals, discontinued part numbers, and regional dealer gaps.
Essential Parts in Demand
Among the most commonly sought components are:

• Throttle cables: Often frayed or seized due to age and exposure.
  
• Hydraulic pressure switches: Located near the filter housing, these are critical for system feedback and safety.
  
• Water pumps and fans: Especially for the Daewoo D427 engine, which powers many 1550XL units.
  
• Starter motors: Serial numbers like AG-00109 are hard to trace, and compatibility varies across models.
  

In one case, a Vermont farmer who had never used a computer relied on his neighbor to track down a throttle cable—his first repair in 20 years of ownership. The machine had only ever needed oil changes until then.
Where to Find Parts
Despite the scarcity, several suppliers still support the 1550XL:

• AllSkidsteers.com offers a range of compatible parts, including hydraulic tools and mirrors.
  
• AMS Construction Parts provides new, used, and rebuilt components for Daewoo machines.
  
• Supply.Parts aggregates global inventory, including hard-to-find items like seal kits and control modules.
  

Some users have had success contacting Advanced Power Distributors in Kansas or Landmark Equipment in Oregon. Others recommend H&E Equipment in Denver, where parts specialist David Miller has helped track down obscure components.
A Tale of Community and Ingenuity
One technician shared how he salvaged a fan blade from a Kia SUV to replace a broken one on a 1550XL. The dimensions matched, and with minor modifications, the machine was back in service. This kind of ingenuity is common among owners of aging equipment, where cross-brand compatibility and creative retrofitting become survival skills.
The Importance of Manuals
Lack of documentation is a recurring issue. Operators often request PDF versions of the parts, service, and operation manuals, which are rarely available online. Some technicians offer to share their personal archives via email, helping others identify part numbers and assembly diagrams.
Looking Ahead
As more Daewoo machines enter their twilight years, the aftermarket community plays a vital role in keeping them operational. In 2024, Doosan announced plans to digitize legacy manuals and expand support for older models through its dealer network. If successful, this could ease the burden on owners and reduce downtime.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Daewoo 1550XL today is as much about resourcefulness as it is about machinery. With the right connections, a bit of detective work, and help from fellow operators, even a 20-year-old skid steer can keep moving dirt, lifting loads, and earning its keep. The machine may be aging, but the community around it is anything but obsolete.