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Machine Heritage
The Clark-Michigan 75A wheel loader traces its roots to the early 1960s, a period when Clark Equipment Company—having acquired Michigan Power Shovel in 1953—expanded into rugged, rigid-frame loaders. Launched in this era, the 75A served widespread industrial and agricultural applications, favored for its heft and simplicity. Production of its broader series stretched into the mid-1980s.
Technical Data Snapshot
Key specifications define the 75A’s utility:
- Weight: approximately 17.2 tons
- Maximum discharge height: around 2.74 meters
- Engine power: roughly 79.8 kW (about 107 HP)
Series Distinction and Identification
The Series I and Series II loaders are visually and structurally differentiated by the boom pivot placement. Series I models locate the pivot behind the operator seat, whereas Series II moved it in front, enhancing operator safety and reducing injury risks—a shift motivated by unfortunate incidents that led to litigation. Identification can also be aided by locating the serial number stamped into the frame, particularly around the boom pivot assembly.
Real-World Value Threads
Owners across forums have recounted their experiences:
- One owner recalled using a gas-engine 75A loader for decades, praising its durability. Despite needing brake repairs, they wondered if a sale price between $1,500 and $2,000 was reasonable. Advice from peers echoed that sentiment, suggesting that brake work might cost a similar amount—and falling into that price range could be fair for such a machine.
- Another recounted the nostalgia of his father operating a 75 with a Waukesha diesel for excavation and land clearing tasks. His skill earned him job offers—darkane Cadillac-laden trips—even before his father sold machines to a construction firm impressed by his loader’s performance.
To help determine a fair valuation for a 1962 75A Series II loader, especially one needing brake attention, consider:
- Condition and required repairs: Breakage or disrepair (e.g., nonfunctional brakes) can deduct several hundred to over a thousand dollars from value.
- Comparable sales: Loaders of similar vintage have fetched between $1,500 and $2,100 in past auctions despite varied conditions.
- Engine and transmission setup: Models upgraded with diesel engines and 4×4 hydrostatic transmissions (like the 75AG) tend to command higher auction bids.
- Rarity and collectibility: Series II models with intact safety upgrades and identifiable serials may bring a premium among collectors or vintage equipment enthusiasts.
Here’s a structured path to better valuation:
- Assess and estimate brake repair costs (likely a few hundred dollars) to adjust asking price.
- Measure hours of operation, engine condition, hydraulic health, and physical wear.
- Use available auction comparisons (both loader and upgraded 75AG examples) to broadly gauge market interest.
- Highlight Series II design and any safety-related improvements in any listing or conversation—these features matter.
- Consider professional appraisal or parts valuation via tools like Lectura to refine expected market value.
- Model: Michigan 75A Series II, 1962 model year
- Weight: ~17.2 tons
- Lift height: ~2.74 m
- Power output: ~80 kW (107 HP)
- Upgraded variant: 75AG with 130 HP Isuzu engine, hydrostatic 4×4, rear steering, 1,160 hrs
- Value estimate: Roughly $1,500–$2,100 depending on condition and mechanical needs
- Key value factors: Brake condition, engine/transmission type, series type, historic appeal
The 1962 Michigan 75A Series II stands as both a workhorse of mid-20th-century industrial heritage and a touchstone for machinery aficionados. With its notable weight, historical engineering, and lingering charm, a well-assessed asking price—anchored by condition, needed repairs, and era authenticity—can guide a fair and successful sale. A dash of storytelling about past operator tales only adds to its appeal and narrative value.
