Track Loader

[rvaitor]

Well, I think I bought a track loader today. This unit is a Liebherr 631. Gross weight 37400, 150HP Mercedes V6, Cab heat only, 4n1 bucket. Talked to Liebherr factory folks and they were helpful and encouraging. The purpose is to reclaim some pasture and maybe clear an area for an airstrip.

Hopefully can do what I need to do and not lose too much. Will probably start work in earnest this fall and winter. I also have a couple of buildings that need to be demolished and burned or hauled off.

I guess the question is do folks have good luck with track loaders for clearing? Suggestions or techniques would be appreciated.

[JoeinTX]

Well, a lot of it is pretty straightforward. Are you going to use a grubber/rake?

As for the loader, I have heard that the hyrostat rear-ends can often be the weak links on the Liebherr crawlers but have spent any time around one.

[rvaitor]

Originally Posted by JoeinTX

Well, a lot of it is pretty straightforward. Are you going to use a grubber/rake?

As for the loader, I have heard that the hyrostat rear-ends can often be the weak links on the Liebherr crawlers but have spent any time around one.

I've seen the root rakes but not sure about a grubber rake? Is there a standard attach set-up on these that allows different buckets to be interchanged?

The Liebherr folks told me what to look for maintenance wise. There is a splitter case that feeds the transmission(I think) that requires servicing. Sprockets are weak on this unit, but they said they would be fine for now. New or rebuilt engine about 1200 hours ago - tracks replaced about the same time - 5100 hours total. Well maintained overall according to their records.

I really like the Liebherr guys I talked to in NC. They have a service rep that can come out and check or repair anything I need. Told me what I needed to watch and helped me value this unit. A tremendous piece of eqmt for the cost -- less than most decent sized skid steers.

[Liebherrman]

I think you made a great choice . I have 4 Liebherr 631s. They are easy, smooth operating machines. Get a operators book, live by it , do the hydraulic filters(all of them) Just keep keep up in the fluids, be aware of the splitter box , and engine fills and checks, they are right next to each other and the adverage ninny will pour engine oil in the splitter box instead of 90w gear lube and visa versa!......When buying look for hydraulic oil in splitter box which means your pumps are leaking into it. Hopefully your hydraulic pumps and motors are all good and stay good becuase they are very expensive to repair, double the price of caterpilliar.... Also some minor electrical problems can occur.... I have some spare parts if anyone needs, that FITS ..Liebherr 631...Liebherr 631B...Liebherr 631C crawler loader..Let me know if you ever want to sell it, I am looking for another....You can email direct at info@cannoncollector.com or call 215 651 3478 Thanks and good luck NOW GET TO WORK AND MOVE SOME DIRT!!

[EddieWalker]

I can't attest to what you bought, but I can comment on using a rake. I have a dozer with a rake that I can put on the blade for clearing the land that I have quite a few hours experience using. It does a good job of moving logs and debri to the burn pile without picking up allot of dirt. It still picks up dirt and the farther you push your material, the more dirt you move. Trees are ok, but bush piles can really accumulate allot of dirt. Even with the rake, going slow and trying real hard to not push dirt, you still push dirt.

I have a grapple on my backhoe and can move trees and bush piles by picking them up and droping them on the burn pile without any dirt at all. You have a 4in1 bucket, so it's just like a grapple in your ability to pick up material and move it.

Given the choice, never push anything to the burn pile. ALWAYS pick it up and carry it. In just a few days, you can have several dozen yards of dirt on your burn pile, and after a few months on clearing, you can have an amazing amount of dirt by just pushing a little bit every day. It adds up like you wouldn't believe!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't buy a rake. You don't need it.

Eddie

[jmfox]

These bits of advice are golden. Thanks.

jmf

[rvaitor]

Originally Posted by Liebherrman

I think you made a great choice . I have 4 Liebherr 631s. They are easy, smooth operating machines. Get a operators book, live by it , do the hydraulic filters(all of them) Just keep keep up in the fluids, be aware of the splitter box , and engine fills and checks, they are right next to each other and the adverage ninny will pour engine oil in the splitter box instead of 90w gear lube and visa versa!......When buying look for hydraulic oil in splitter box which means your pumps are leaking into it. Hopefully your hydraulic pumps and motors are all good and stay good becuase they are very expensive to repair, double the price of caterpilliar.... Also some minor electrical problems can occur.... I have some spare parts if anyone needs, that FITS ..Liebherr 631...Liebherr 631B...Liebherr 631C crawler loader..Let me know if you ever want to sell it, I am looking for another....You can email direct at info@cannoncollector.com or call 215 651 3478 Thanks and good luck NOW GET TO WORK AND MOVE SOME DIRT!!

Thanks to all for the follow-up. Just back from checking my new machine out - that is the most powerful piece of eqmt I've ever put my butt in. Very impressed with the smoothness and power.

I will probably call to discuss further. I do have manuals - operators, parts, service, engine. I was also able to get a print out of the service history and talk to the maintenance folks as well as the fellow that operated it - this was county owned.

I plan to work mostly this winter with it, but am curious are there aftermarket AC units available and are they worth having?

On the 4n1, looks like you could open and drag the bucket with the back of the clamshell in the dirt as a grubber. I'm new to all this so don't know what you can or can't do, but it looks like there is an edge on the back side. Mine is a Rockland unit I think(owners manual on this as well - just haven't had time to look it over).

Thanks Eddie for the info on the root rake.

[rvaitor]

Here is a link to some pictures

http://web.mac.com/shelbysmith/iWeb/...rr%20631B.html

[jmfox]

Originally Posted by rvaitor

Here is a link to some pictures

Any shots of the crawler earning its keep?

jmf

[rvaitor]

Originally Posted by jmfox

Any shots of the crawler earning its keep?

jmf

Not yet - in a month or so.