Go a latter model 9500 hands down, best to go a 95_96 year model or later with many updates compared to the original units that came out in 1989 (I think). ie Data centre, air seat, extra lights, improved walker bearings, three stage throttle, etc. The 9500 series is so far ahead of the old '20 series in confort and ease to work on. (Never will be to soon if I had to sit in that cab again with that motor roaring in my ear or have to change belts on that pully underneath the operators seat!!) A well set up 9500 will match or out do an 8820, but I do stress well setup. Obviously the sieve area isn't as wide as an 8820, but that shouldn't be your limiting factor anyway, (look at the sieve area of a 9860sts compared to a 9600 and tell me which machine has more capacity) and the walkers in the 9000 series machines are much better then the narrow gutted things that were in the earlier models. Obviously there are more electronics and hydraulics on the 9000 machines which removes some belts and opens up access a bit. But when looking at second hand machines be aware of things like how the machine has been treated and cleaned, particularly if they used high pressure water as that is just asking for trouble. Was it alway's shedded or left out in the open. Do all the senors in the cab seem to be reading and adjusting ok. Does the motor open up to the 3 set rpm's they are suppose to as per manual. Simple obvious stuff. If everything checks out then as I said go the 9500 all the way.
