John Deere 1010 Crawler Diesel

Jake1991

Member
So I have been reading a lot of posts and forums on the JD 1010, and it seems to get some mixed reviews. Those that have them, and they run seem to love them. Those who have them and they don't run, seem to HATE them. I have an opportunity to purchase one from a local auto salvage yard that they used until about 15 years ago when they got a new dozer and just parked this one. It has sat outside in the Pacific Northwest (100+ inches of rain a year,) weather since. It supposedly ran fine when they parked it. It has a flapper on the stack, but not a can to keep water out completely. Sounds like I could get it for just about scrap price from the guy, (about $200-$300 dollars.) What is anyone's thoughts on this? I have heard that parts are only available through JD dealers, and they are EXPENSIVE. I am very mechanically inclined, and capable of just about anything on my own, especially with a manual in front of me. It is supposedly fairly complete, has a 6 way hydraulic blade and a winch. Any thoughts at all would be great! Thanks guys.
 
Here are some pictures of the dozer. They didn't upload with the original message for some reason.
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TJ
I had no reason to check but I didn't realize the cylinder decks were available again.
Did you notice if there was an A&I price?
Didn't the gas use the same deck since the diesels were a conversion eng?
I knew a guy in the parts business who kicked himself for not buying up all Deere had left
when they decided to discontinue them years ago.
 
If you can buy it for that price then you should have bought it before you read this. The 1010 is a good little machine. Final drives are pretty stong, hydraulics are very good. Not much power except 1st gear. Reverser lets you shift forward or back wards without shifting transmission. The motor has a set of sleeves. Can not buy one. The only flaw I had found was the sleeves has an o ring on the bottom. It is the only thing that keeps the anti freeze out of the oil. Course they have been in there for a long time. When they set for a long time they may become brittle. You can check it by draining the oil. ANti freeze will come out first. When I used to change my oil I would always get a teaspoon of ANTIFREEZE. It never changed but I always watched it close. I think if I remember right the sleeves are them same for gas and diesel. Let us know how you come out. norm
 
(quoted from post at 10:35:33 11/22/15)
I think JD is the only place to get a new set of liners for a 1010/2010. IIRC gasoline & diesel liners are different for each model
Were missing a pretty important item here. It's a bulldozer not a tractor. Getting the motor running will be the cheap part. Iron on a bulldozer get's real expensive. By the look of the grousers on those pads, she's got a lot of hours and iron could be pretty ruff. I can imagine it needs new track chains for sure, if not at least pins and bushing. Rollers most likely will be shot. It's got dry clutches so they will be froze up from condesation. The only thing good there will be they're are easy to access. I had a 1010d bulldozer for a little while. They have glow plug and a primer, but still a challenge to start when very cold. I think the injectors were reasonable, but if the pump needs work that will be the normal pile of money...
My advice, be concerned about condition of motor, but KNOW the condition of the Iron.
 
Thanks everyone for their point of view and the advice! I do understand that iron can be expensive. We would be using if for small jobs around the property. Probably would see 50 hours a year MAYBE. So the
engine problems that all the other forums rant about have more to do with the 1010 tractor? Or was the 1010's engine the same in the tractor as the crawler? I have heard that the final drive and everything
on these is stout since it was proven to work, but the engines were never really tested and just put into production. I know engine parts are available, and getting it running isn't all too much of a concern,
but the price is a big part. I don't want to pick it up for nothing, and end up having enough into if that I could have bought a JD 350.
 
Thanks everyone for their point of view and the advice! I do understand that iron can be expensive. We would be using if for small jobs around the property. Probably would see 50 hours a year MAYBE. So the engine problems that all the other forums rant about have more to do with the 1010 tractor? Or was the 1010's engine the same in the tractor as the crawler? I have heard that the final drive and everything on these is stout since it was proven to work, but the engines were never really tested and just put into production. I know engine parts are available, and getting it running isn't all too much of a concern, but the price is a big part. I don't want to pick it up for nothing, and end up having enough into if that I could have bought a JD 350.
 
The motor is the same in the 1010 tractors and I think the blocks are the same. Diesel has different head and of course hi pressure fuel pump. If you don't want it and its not to far from Missouri I wouldn't mind looking at it. Well worth that price. Norm
 
Pinball - Its on the coast of Washington state in the pacific northwest, so you have a little bit of a drive.

Buickanddeere - My pockets aren't super deep, that is why I was hoping to find something cheap like this that I could get going and keep going. Like I said. It will not be for like a business, or used every day, just occasional stuff around the property. But I know if the engine doesn't run and needs work, it will cost money to get it to do anything.

What is the common problem with the engines that causes everyone so much problems??? I know the tranny back is old, proven tech, but the engine was new and just thrown together. Do they crack heads? Break cranks? Is there a common problem with the engine that everyone deals with, or is it just an overall POS?
 

Cylinder heads on 1010/2010 are prone to cracking plus pre-combustion chambers in heads are known for getting loose. Because of indirect fuel injection glow plugs are required for starting and engine smoke a lot until operating temp is reached. Because of the short build time and long time since production repair parts are scarce.
 
(quoted from post at 23:42:49 11/23/15) Pinball - Its on the coast of Washington state in the pacific northwest, so you have a little bit of a drive.

Buickanddeere - My pockets aren't super deep, that is why I was hoping to find something cheap like this that I could get going and keep going. Like I said. It will not be for like a business, or used every day, just occasional stuff around the property. But I know if the engine doesn't run and needs work, it will cost money to get it to do anything.

What is the common problem with the engines that causes everyone so much problems??? I know the tranny back is old, proven tech, but the engine was new and just thrown together. Do they crack heads? Break cranks? Is there a common problem with the engine that everyone deals with, or is it just an overall POS?

If the rest of the 1010 crawler was in mint pristine condition . I would bolt in a 2-53 Detroit from a 440ID with C45 injectors . Bel housing pattern is the same .
The diesel 1010 and diesel 2010 are best avoided unless you are an avid collector wanting the entire 10 series to display.
 

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