Junkyard scrapping buses straight from retirement

[NotAClue]

Called on CL ad in Eugene Oregon. Found myself talking to owner of junkyard who did not know employee put ad on CL. 2004 Catapillar engine full size $3500, just retired. Said it was flatnose but engine was up by driver? Told me he could get almost as much from scrapping a bus as selling it, he had already scrapped 45 this year!! Had to ask me which bus was in ad - he had 10 at the yard. Suppose to call him this weekend to go look at buses. I am total rookie and I don't think he is up on buses besides scrapping them. Not sure about this adventure. Anybody ever here of buses going straight to the junkyard from retirement?

[Njsurf73]

I have seen several scrap yards sell their buses because of they can get about a thousand more than it's worth in scrap value. there was a couple in New Jersey and one in Maryland within the last couple of years. This has nothing to do with the condition of the bus they were retired and sold as a lot for scrap. My guess is they are still functioning but I would take someone with you that knows engines at the very least. The rest of the bus is fairly straightforward... Look for bad rust.. make sure the brakes function properly... Make sure the transmission shifts... Identify what kind of transmission and if it fits your needs... The overall condition of the boss is important but just as important is the condition of the tires and engine.

[Njsurf73]

Another note is.. the brand of engine isn't nearly as important as the upkeep of the engine. People tend to shy away from Caterpillar engines, because they are expensive to work on or rather expensive to have someone else work on them. International engines and Cummins engines have more support For parts, but don't let that stop you from buying a box with a caterpillar motor that is in really good shape.

[EastCoastCB]

I've looked into it and my DT466E is just as expensive to fix as my Cat 3126.

[o1marc]

I recently bought one from a local school district for $900. It had some issues and I didn't want to put any money into it so I'm just sending it to scrap. I figured the wheels and tires are worth a $1000- $1500, and the bus wait will bring around another thousand. So flipping it to scrap is actually making more money and if I had sold it running.

[Oldcarnut]

I work for an Auto Recycler in WA and we had a dozen (yes 12) busses dropped off by one of the local school districts to be scrapped. ALL drove in under own power and has low miles and hours. Both Shorties based off the Chevy Van's and the Medium busses as well as a couple Full sized.
Had to punch holes in the blocks, cut the frames in half and cut the bodies as well and take pictures before and after to show proof of decommissioning.
All part of the program for the school district getting credits for new busses. It was a time for myself and the other bus nuts at work.

[brokedown]

I bought my Wanderlounge from a scrap yard for a song. If for sure happens. The trick is learning about it so you can act on it! Mine was listed on Facebook marketplace.

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by brokedown

I bought my Wanderlounge from a scrap yard for a song. If for sure happens. The trick is learning about it so you can act on it! Mine was listed on Facebook marketplace.

Yep. That one was a great deal.