First time crawler

I would like to find an older crawler to use on my farm. (general farm use)I would like to stay under 12,000lbs so I can haul it on my current trailer.

I know nothing about crawlers. Any suggestions on what I should look for and what to stay away from would be very helpfull.

Thanks
Scott

If you are looking to use it for work, its a handy machine to have on any farm, but you should beware of some things like assessing undercarriage wear accurately by measuring, so you know what you are dealing with there, its an expensive part of a crawler to rebuild/replace.

Ideally, its just better to spend a little more or significantly more if in the budget for one that is field ready and checks out to be in sound mechanical condition.

Its nice to own, as its there when you need it, but also cost effective to rent for larger jobs, or for the improvements you want to make.

Theres more to it when looking at used crawlers, also parts support and so on, many are used and abused, others not, you need to really have an eye for what to look for on various MFR's and models, find one you think is a good candidate, have an experienced hand check it out for you, can be a big money pit to repair if you are not all that careful, nice new shiny paint on an old crawler with worn out tracks and other hidden problems has fooled many a buyer. And of course you never know, you may find something decent, older, worn but plenty of life for limited use on a farm or occasion.

Have someone experienced check anything you're considering out even if you have to pay them. What is your budget and do you really need a crawler? Maybe a skid steer would be better for you? If you find something post it on here. Lots of very knowledgeable people on this forum that can give you good advice.

I would like to stay $5000 or less. I am looking forsomething that I can keep my roads clear and go some small clearing.

A decent size skid steer sounds like it would be a better choice for you. A crawler will push a lot of snow but on ice can slide right off the road. They are also painfully slow compared to something with tires. If you run a crawler in high gear you'll wear the undercarriage out real fast.

Undercarriage parts are getting scarce for many crawlers. So, if you buy - I suggest you either make sure the undecarriage is in excellent shape, or make sure you can still get replacement parts. Aftermarket companies like Berco have stopped making many part for older crawlers.

I've got several small crawlers at different properties. Deere 1010 and 350, Allis Chalmers HD4 and HD6, Oliver HG, OC3 and OC4, and Case 310G.

Besides parts availability, ask yourself if you want a foot clutch or hand clutch, loader or dozer, and if ease of repair an issue. Some are easy to work on and some very complicated.

Also - having a hydraulic reverser is real nice but - it also means a huge expense if repair is ever needed.

How about the drive? Clutch driven or torque converter? My Allis HD4 is torque converter drive which personally do not like. Parts for AC crawlers are also getting very hard to find.

I think the easiest crawler to work on is Case. 310 or 350. No steering clutches to get bad and most parts out in the open. Good parts availability also. Better then for most older Deere crawlers. May be too small for what you want? A Case dozer (6 way blade) weighs around 8000 lbs. My 1010 crawler-loader weighs 10,000 lbs.

Have a D6 for sale. Good runner. It's located in Colorado.

You might be one of the lucky ones but for most that spend 5000 or less what they get is problems or worse yet a useless pile of scrap iron. Get someone who knows dozers to look at what ever you find.