Bulldozer

[machmeter62]

Eddie Walker has a prior post on shedding one of his tracks on his Case 1550, and it sends a powerful message of some labor involved, if it would happen to you. It is in his archives, with pictures worth reviewing, and many hours of labor!? This will help in your decision. Maybe he will re-post it?

 

[Dozernut]

Eddie has pretty much summed it up. Throwing a track is not fun.
On the dozer you pictured the sprockets are worn out so it stands to reason the pins and bushings are bad also. The top/bottom rollers and front idlers need to be checked, they have the same amount of hours on them. I have had the chains skip on the sprockets when the dozer was under load but running the track off is a lot worse. The last undercarriage I rebuilt I had over $5,000 in parts and I did all the labor myself.
The owner started the machine but did he move it? If he didn't, why not? I would suspect the steering clutches are also needing parts and service or he did not want to throw a track. $5000 is not a bad price for the dozer if you understand you most likely will not be able to crawl on the machine and work it without doing some expensive parts and repairs. Hope your handy with a wrench, old dozers need a little tlc. You might want to check on the "Berco" brand for undercarriage parts, cheaper than OEM parts. You should be able to locate a supplier in your area, just do a search on Berco. Good luck!

PS: Try this site for some good advice on old Cat iron ACMOC Bulletin Board - Powered by vBulletin

 

[MtnViewRanch]

As far as your calculations are concerned, assume you buy it (I probably would too), figure an oil change to start. Oh, and if I'm not totally off my rocker, I bet it burns about 7-10 gallons of diesel AN HOUR (throttle is always up when you are running). Figuring you can stand to be on it 5 hours at a time, you'll be looking at 40-45 gallons per episode. Got a truck with a tank in the bed?? Hey, like I said, I probably would take the chance myself. Good Luck, and lots of pictures. BobG in VA

My 1943 D6 has never used more than 3 gallons per hour at full throttle in 3rd gear. 2 1/4 gallons per hour full throttle in 2nd gear. This is the fuel consumption I have while disking my property.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

My 1943 D6 has never used more than 3 gallons per hour at full throttle in 3rd gear. 2 1/4 gallons per hour full throttle in 2nd gear. This is the fuel consumption I have while disking my property.

Thanks for the reply. Geared units don't need the throttle like a hydro unit does. Thats one reason I asked if it was geared/clutch or what...I do know that a 955Cat track loader today (approx same HP as a D6) uses 11 gals/hr. Thats where my # came from....BobG in VA who would still buy the unit for that price.

 

[RobJ]

Eddie, you are right about the work area. I thought about that later in the day. a tree can help in making a crane, but another problem with a larger dozer. my biggest is the 350 class. men can still handle the track..sort of. And you can sometimes pullit around with a large tractor or 2.

the track will probably come off where you don't want it(or in a place you should have not ventured in the first place).

my toughest was going down the black top road (half on half off). it jumped but didn't come all the way off, sort of miss-meshed. Blocked the rear draw bar, lowered the blade all the way which lifted the dozer off the groundan inch or so...then used a sledge. about 10 minutes.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the reply. Geared units don't need the throttle like a hydro unit does. Thats one reason I asked if it was geared/clutch or what...I do know that a 955Cat track loader today (approx same HP as a D6) uses 11 gals/hr. Thats where my # came from....BobG in VA who would still buy the unit for that price.

Bob,

That sure sounds like allot of fuel.

My Case 1550 dozer is hydrostatic drive and I'm burning around 5 gallons an hour, maybe less. It has a Cummins turbo 8.3 engine rated at 169hp.

Eddie

 

[jshbryan]

Well, I appreciate all the advice and input. I have decided to go ahead and buy the machine.

I will start a thread in the "projects" forum for all to follow my trials and tribulations.

Thanks.

 

[DTCOOPER]

Howdy,
I ain't been on in a while..
Depending on where you are located in Texas (I am North of Greenville), I might buy it from you in a month or so when you're done with it !!
Thanks,
Daniel

 

[jshbryan]

Howdy,
I ain't been on in a while..
Depending on where you are located in Texas (I am North of Greenville), I might buy it from you in a month or so when you're done with it !!
Thanks,
Daniel

Sounds like a plan. Since my buddy has the tractor/trailer, I bet we could get it there cheap. I'm only about 100 miles from you. I'll send you a PM when I get close to being done.

He is the guy that has bee running this machine. He says he could have my place done in a week and a half on it. So I'm guessing it's gonna take me a month.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Bob,

That sure sounds like allot of fuel.

My Case 1550 dozer is hydrostatic drive and I'm burning around 5 gallons an hour, maybe less. It has a Cummins turbo 8.3 engine rated at 169hp.

Eddie

I thought it sounded high myself, but I went and looked at a used one about 6 months ago. The owner told me thats what he was getting. Can't imagine he would tell me more than what it actually was unless he didn't really want to sell it....by the way, I didn't get it...BobG in VA