anyone know JD 440 Dozers

AK River Runner · Oct 4, 2009

AK Welder,,,,,,,,,
You got some real good advise here in the above posts I would pass on buying anything that old and that far up the river. I have a river place 70 miles up river on the Yentna and barge freight and equipment up there and deal with the logistics, summer is bad enough let alone -20 weather in winter.
The old worn out equipment is just not worth the so called "good deals" you think you are getting, been there and done that.
Good luck,
Ak River Runner

AKwelder · Oct 5, 2009

Its to bad really, I was hoping to get the side boom. I have a couple jobs that I can use one on. The newer side booms are huge and expensive. The last one sold in this area went for over 60,000. A couple places rent them, but they are D-8 size, actually a 573 cat, and are just to much.

Midwestern makes side boom conversions, much like this one but they are over 40K and you need a dozer. I priced some JD 350 and 450 used machines in Canada and the cheapest I could fine was 47,000.

And there is always the iron collector in me, I would love to have a portable side boom, I have worked around them pipelining for years, the blade would be icing on the cake

jenkinsph · Oct 5, 2009

Well if you do bite just remember that "iron collector" phrase because that is likely what you will have for your troubles. I don't like being the bearer of bad tidings but hate to see people throw good money after bad.

Steve

AKwelder · Oct 6, 2009

not to worry, I have decided the dream is better than reality. I appreciate everyone throwing in to bring the truth to the surface.

I have decided that a picture is all i need of this critter, no need to bring her home

thank you

sunnyside360 · Oct 6, 2009

AKwelder said:
............I have decided that a picture is all i need of this critter, no need to bring her home.........

Very wise decision IMHO. Here is more info on the JD 440 crawler along with lots of pictures to enjoy. That's as close as I'd get to one of these old relics.

The John Deere 440I and the 435I

Barely Smokin' · Oct 9, 2009

Man, I'd have to agree with the other guys...unless you've got plenty of time and money on your hands to work on it and don't mind if it breaks down in the middle of a job, then go for it. I love my 440 rubber tire BH, and thought it was a steal for $3,200, but I've put more than double that in just parts---brakes, head, starter, rebuilt hyd cylinders, hoses, hyd control rebuild, front tires, one rear tire, and replaced just about every wire on the thing.

I do love that 2-cyl, though. Starts in about 0.5 seconds and idles like a Harley. Reminds me of America when people really cared about good machinery.

In the end, though, the thing is still 50+ years old, meaning that everything on it is worn, loose and about ready to break. I've probably got 20lbs of weld stick on it already. Parts can be found but it ain't easy, quick or cheap.

I'd hold off and look a D3 or D4 from the 1970's. They're nice, quality machines but not so old that you can't find one in really good condition.

Take it easy up there. In younger years I spent a few weeks on Tagish Lake, and a little time in Skagway. God's country.

BoFuller · Mar 25, 2011

I looked at small dozers for almost 6 months - JD350, JD 450, D3, and D4 and finally came to the conclusion I would spend my good money on a tractor and then I rented a D5 for a week. Got everything cleared and then they came and picked it up. No worrying about reversers falling apart, undercarriages being too worn, etc., That might not be an option for you, but I would explore it.

sunnyside360 · Mar 25, 2011

BoFuller said:
I looked at small dozers for almost 6 months - JD350, JD 450, D3, and D4 and finally came to the conclusion I would spend my good money on a tractor and then I rented a D5 for a week. Got everything cleared and then they came and picked it up. No worrying about reversers falling apart, undercarriages being too worn, etc., That might not be an option for you, but I would explore it.

Exactly what I did a few yrs ago. Rented a D5 for a week and didn't worry about an expensive break down or maintenance cost. Charge for one week rental was $950 which included pickup and delivery, and I moved a lot of dirt, stumps and trees. A smaller dozer would have required many many more hours. This is the way to go for occasional use imho.

I did run across a 1959 JD 440 diesel in excellent condition which I bought and used for lighter work for 3 yrs. A guy came along and offered way more than I paid for it so I sold it. I was constantly worrying about breaking something --- slept better after selling it.