Re: Need crawler recommendations

Subject: Re: Re: Need crawler recommendations

Comments:
: : I'm considering the purchase of a crawler to add to my 2 8N's. My property has just enough slope that cutting the fire breaks etc just isn't safe to do with them I thought a crawler with a blade would be a great solution (plus another project). Anybody have advice/preferences/comments? : : Thanks, : : Larry : This can be a rather tough subject. No one makes a really small machine anymore. I'd reccomend a JD350, which was started around 1968, and is still in production. Parts are easily available for this series. The older MC/40/420/430/440 machines would probably be a better size for you (I've had both a JD350 and a 420). The real problem is in rebuilding the undercarraiges. Most used machines at affordable prices for home use will have a lot of rebuilding to do that you'd never have to do on a wheel tractor. There are steering clutches and brakes; track rollers, and idler bushings; sprockets; track chain pins and bushings; and track pads. All of these items wear out and most likely would need replacing. This requires a well-equipped shop with hoists, lifts and dollys to move these heavy parts around. The track pins and bushings need a sizable press to change (there are track shops fot this work, though). None of the parts are cheap. You can easily spend $10,000 putting an undercarraige and track system back together on an old machine. This is all in addition to the normal tractor rebuild items (engine, transmission, etc.). : Note that the weight of my 1957 JD 420W tractor is 3,500 pounds and the weight of my 1958 JD 420C is 7,000 pounds. Double the weight. The extra is all on the undercarraige, tracks and blade. Just some things to consider. : All that said, there is a LOT of things a crawler will do that a wheel tractor cannot do regardless of how many weights and driving wheels you have!

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