Small Dozers

Stathamj

Member
OK everyone, I need your thoughts. I haven't found anything yet in the way of a loader or dozer. I'm still looking though. I've went and looked at several that said good U/C. Only to find that the rollers were eating the bushing flanges up because the rollers and rails were worn out. Or, the machine needed new drive sprockets and grousers and the bushings returned or replace.
But, I did find A few smaller dozers that are in good shape. Granted they wouldn't really do everything that I wanted them to be able to do. But, at least I could clear out all of the underbrush and small sapplings <6" hopefully.
Along with the original '64 Cat D4C I also found a couple of Mitsubishi BD2g's a Komatsu D20p and a D31p (I believe). I also found a Case 450c and a 550 (haven't looked at yet) The only thing else is a JD 450C. I was looking for a 550.
I think all of the machines are close to the same weight and size. THe BD2g being the smallest I believe and maybe the Case 550 being the biggest. I'm going by weight.
My question is which one would probably be the best one? I know it depends on a lot of other factors. There are both a JD and Cat dealer within 30 miles. A Komatsu within 60 and unsure about the Mitsubishi or case dealers.
I had thought about just getting a Big AG tractor with a loader. But, was unsure if that would be as good. I've looked at Wheel loaders and around here they're as much as a good dozer.
Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Otherwise I'm still looking.

Thank you,

James
 
JD450 is a pretty nice rig. But condition is the big thing and parts support and price after that.
 
Depending on condition the biggest concern is going to be support. Check out the dealers and see how they stack up as far as parts and repairs go. I farm. Where I'm at I have an AGCO MF dealer about 14 miles and CaseIH/NH John Deer at about 30. Both the JD and CaseIH dealers are pretty good and the AGCO MF dealer stinks. When my BIL had the AGCO MF dealer rebuild the engine on his AC tractor they called and told him it needed a new crank shaft and that it was NLA. I looked it up on the AGCO parts look up and it was available. My BIL had to order it from another dealer, pick it up and deliver it to the one that had his tractor. That's pretty poor service and it's the dealer not AGCO. I do own a TLB. Nearest dealer is now over 150 miles. Next major project that thing is out of here and I'm going to something I can gets parts for without a major trip.

A farm tractor isn't designed to move earth. It would depend on just how much you have to do. If only a little a bigger tractor may do what you want but if a large project it may be too much for it. Yea it can be done but you have to work slow. If you have time go look at some used farm tractors with loaders on them. You will find many of them with weld after weld on the loaders and really worn shifters from repeated shifting from F to R. A lot of older farm tractors had a counterpart that was pretty close to the same but sold as industrial models. Many had shuttle shift, heavier front axles and much heavier loaders on them.

From what you are describing as to the work you want to do, time permitting a TLB may be a good solution. The backhoe bucket with it's teeth can be used to scratch out brush and roots without moving too much soil and if equipped with a 4-1 bucket makes short work of moving brush piles. Faster ground speed than a crawler and cheaper to maintain. You can also dig out stumps of trees you want out, plus it's roadable if you need to use it someplace else. Then add in a larger farm tractor and a 1 to 1 1/2 yard pan if you want to build a pond.

Rick
 
Now you can see why eyeballing an undercarriage, a seemingly common practice by sellers, has a lot to be desired, when you actually take a close look, measure or what have you.

With most that you listed as potential models to buy, these are smaller grading tractors, but are fine for clearing for what you describe, most crawlers that size are fine for that, brush cage, limb risers may be desirable, and or r.o.p.s that can protect you from things that may fall from above.

350-450 JD' small grading tractors, I assume still have good parts support, not the biggest on power, for say heavy dozing, moving a large amount of earth, I've run both, just slower, but seemingly reliable, there are things to look for on those, and an experienced JD mechanic might be very helpful, ask here if you narrow it down to one of these, I've run later model 550's like a '94 model, and much later '06 650, nice tractors, also ran an 850 JD, was different with that hydrostatic set up and each track being capable of moving opposite directions of each other, not sure about repairs/parts on this larger model.

Mitsubishi and "gray market" tractors I would avoid, parts and service support being the main concern.

Komatsu D31 is a great little grading tractor, I've run those, about the same as a D3 well late 80's early 90's models, be fine for clearing and parts support should be there, don't quote me, but we had a dealer somewhere near here, have run D65's, D65PX LGP, brand new- they took pictures while I was one big soft stockpile, '31's and the larger 65's were seemingly very good machines.

Case, I've run 450's and 850's don' recall running any 1150's, but the previous were good, had to get used to those 2 small levers for steering, but I remember pushing and grading with those, parts and service were good on Case around here, you would have to check, I'd think those are supported, good tractors, spent some time one those for one outfit doing residential subdivision work, pushing fill off, grading top soil, fine for moderate clearing and grubbing.

These smaller size tractors will also be easier to work on and less expensive undercarriage parts, easier to haul and or get in tight areas, most likely fine for what you are looking for.


Cat D4C, never ran one of those, they had good reputations, I ran several nice D6D's and same era D5's, very good machines, just all the other rules apply, condition etc. and some things to look for no different than any other, did a lot of different kinds of work with those, both small enough to work in the woods or clearing.

I look at sales ads locally quite a bit and over time I do see field ready dozers, ones that I'd want to look at, potentially honestly represented as far as condition and seemingly reasonable, but sometimes it may just take some time to find one in the condition you want, at the price you can afford, saw many nice ones listed in this area this year, and the ads did not last long at all, have not seen many since, so it does take time, better to wait, spend a little more, buy in better condition, than to have to deal with something that may be more problematic, chance you take with all of these anyway, so its a good policy to take your time when looking.

I'm no expert on the mechanical aspect of most of these, but do know what to look for with undercarriages, major components etc. + having operated many of the above, remembering some repairs, down time, and performance, helps formulate a rough opinion, but 350/450/550 JD, seemingly good, same with Case 450/850, Cat- fine, condition is important, Komatsu D31/D65 are fine too.

I have seen on occasion older A/C, International, and others in nice shape, but you do have to be careful with parts support on older tractors, so its probably better to look at the brands above, as at least the manufacturer is still in business in some form or manner. Well helpfully of some help, not the easiest to decide on given what these are and the conditions they turn out to be in LOL !
 

All of the machines you speak of are older machines. Steering clutches are a big issue with Deeres and Cats. Keep your check book ready and full of money. Parts and repairs will be expensive.
 
I have several CASE dozers like the others said good machines I no longer have the 550 in the pic but it was very good as well although I would not buy a rubber track again just due to they do not last as long as what I thought the cost was worth, I also rented a 550 steel track for a while it to was fine, my 450 has lots of hrs on it and it still gives me great service
cnt
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I bought a A/C H-3 crawler loader, last spring. it's a nice little dozier, but buy the diesel model HD-3, not the gas, it has more power and don't use as much fuel, the one I have has a D-17 tractor engine in it, and it drinks the gas, and is a little under powered, I paid $5000.00 for it and the under carriage & track are in fair condition, it pushes and digs fine, Ron Cutler
 

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