Bulldozer

[jshbryan]

I have the chance to buy a 1957 Cat D6 from a local farmer. He has owned it for about 7 years and has used it to clean all of his pastures.

He is wanting $5000 for it where it sits. I went and looked at it over the weekend and everything is in working order. There are no hydraulic leaks that I could find. The only leak that does exist is in the fuel tank itself. It leaks about a gallon every couple weeks according to the owner. Judging by the small area on the ground, I believe he is being truthful.

The dozer has been sitting since Thanksgiving weekend. When he started it, it just took a small shot of either and it fired right up.

I guess my question is this dozer worth 5k? I am thinking of buying it to clear some of my land and re-sell it in a couple of months.

Thoughts?

 

[capt jack]

I have a 1964 D6 B, I gave 12k for. So 5K looks like a steal but.....You need to know lots more info then just starting. Track cond., rollers/pins, final drives clutch, etc. best advise I can give: take someone who knows ALOT about dozers to look at it with you. even if you have to pay a dozer mech. $200 for a couple of hours its money well spent. I did'nt and got to spend $5000 more soon after buying mine. That having been said , since you ar'nt going to be In the dozer business it need not be perfect, just not going to cost 5-10k more before you knock over your first tree. Don't know where in Tx. you are, but if its N/E Tx., P.M. me and I can steer you toward someone who can loook at it with you.
Jack

 

[EddieWalker]

It actually sounds kind of cheap to me for that sized dozer. Being 50 years old is gonna be a big factor in it, but Cat is probably most famous for supporting there equipment, so parts won't be a problem.

I looked at allot of Cat dozers in that size range from the 60's that were all selling for the high teens to low twenty thousand dollar range. All of them had there issues and I figured I's spend more time wrenching on them, then running them.

When did they put hydraulics on dozers?

Does it have a pony motor to start the diesel?

Before you buy it, post pictures of the undercairage. Be sure to focus on the sprocket, rails, pins and idlers. More then likely, the pins have already been turned and are probably worn out on both sides. This is where it gets expensive. The rails also wear out over time and there's no way to fix them except replace them. The sprocket is easy and fairly cheap to replace if it's the five piece design. If it's a one piece unit, then it becomes a big job.

A dozer is basically three things to worry about. Engine, transmission and tracks. Everything else is pretty simple and straight forward. Any of those three things dont work, and it's expensive and dificult to fix.

Check around to see what a dozer of that size and age is going for. I think he's selling it too cheap, and that's sending off warning flags to me. Might be that he knows somethings wrong with it and wants to get rid of it quick.

Eddie

 

[jshbryan]

I know the guy pretty well. He lives a couple of miles away from me and buys all of his calves from us. I trust the guy quite a bit and he tells me there is nothing that he knows of that needs fixing at this point. My father in law has traded with him for 30 years.

Since he has had it he has only put about 100 hours on it and about 90 of those were by his ranch hand. He purchased the dozer from Parker County and has all of their maintenance documents and the bill of sale from him buying it.

It does have a pony motor on it. However, he has added a starter, battery and key switch to make things easier. He claims that set up cost him around $700.

I will try and get some pics posted here in a bit. I willhave to run out there and take some.

 

[jshbryan]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/OrangeMach/005.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/OrangeMach/004.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/OrangeMach/003.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/OrangeMach/001-1.jpg

That's about all I could get. He raises some bucking bulls and there was one outside my truck. So I took the pics from inside the cab.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Check ALL the fluid levels...It may not have a leak cause there ain't nothin' in it to leak....just jokin'.. Actually the track/rollers don't look too bad. The sprocket is worn some, but I think still usable for what you need. PONY MOTOR: Have the guy start it and let it run for a minute or two...That is a very expensive item!! Then have him start the unit with the pony motor as the clutching and engine "hook up" is primary to running the unit. As weel as I remember even on warm days, it could take 15 seconds of pony time to have the engine catch on and run. When I used to run a D7 in a rock quarry (40 years ago now...) the 7 was probably about the same vintage (that was in '68 and the unit was about 10 or so years old..). It had very good blade control and hydro drive...I'm assuming this is also. If its got a clutch and manual gear trans, beware....PS: I like the cage over the operators station! Talk about a neet project to restore, especially as the tin work looks pretty straight. CAT will have all the parts/filters you will need. Oh, have your mech. pay good attention to the injector pump--they ain't cheep either...BobG in VA

 

[jshbryan]

PONY MOTOR: Have the guy start it and let it run for a minute or two...That is a very expensive item!! Then have him start the unit with the pony motor as the clutching and engine "hook up" is primary to running the unit. As weel as I remember even on warm days, it could take 15 seconds of pony time to have the engine catch on and run.

Bob,

We did not even start the Pony Motor. It now has a starter, battery and key switch to make things easier. The diesel engine fired and ran after about three seconds and has not been started since Thanksgiving.


All I need this machine to do is hold together for 39 acres of work. With my schedule, I figue I can get it done in a month or so. At that point I will turn right back around and sell it.

Here is my theory. The cheapest quote I got from a guy to come out to my place and clean it the way I wanted was $250 per acre which is $9750. I can buy this machine for $5k. Let's say I get done and it blows up. It still cost me $4750 less to do it myself. Now, when I am done, hopefully I can get at least 2/3 of what I paid for it and have my place cleaned the way I want it.

My wife says I am crazy. I just don't see a losing situation here.

 

[MossRoad]

Let's say I get done and it blows up.

Let's say you get on it the second day and it blows up.

I just don't see a losing situation here.

See it now?

 

[RobJ]

Looks like a steal to me. Plus you can run it, listen, drive it around, etc. Another quick test is to put the blade up on a huge tree (object is to not push the tree over, use something else), with the dozer stopped the tracks should never stop turning. this tests the steering clutches, another large cost to fix. If it doesn't slip (loud ear cracking noise), then I think you are fine.

Just remember, the bigger they are, the more to fix. You should also be able to handle yourself around a nice toolbox, for repairs, big and large. Also ig you get it don't go out and try and bang out a 36" oak on the first day. It's old so only take a half bite, etc. Be kind to it!!

Also this big they are a lot harder to move around because of the weight. It probably goes 40,000 pounds or so.

Good Luck.

 

[jshbryan]

Let's say you get on it the second day and it blows up.


See it now?

I hear ya. But I'm a "glass is half full" kinda guy. The ranch hand that runs this for the guy is a close friend of mine that I have known since the eigth grade. He also has his own (Case 450G) dozer. He say's it a h*** of a machine and wouldn't think twice about it.

Besides, if it does, I bet I could get near half my money back parting it out, albeit time consuming. So, I have paid 12k for the 10k job, which was the lowest. Had two around 16k to clear it.

 

[jshbryan]

Looks like a steal to me .

I completely agee, however, I am talking myself into it.

Plus you can run it, listen, drive it around, etc. Another quick test is to put the blade up on a huge tree (object is to not push the tree over, use something else), with the dozer stopped the tracks should never stop turning.

My friend that has a dozer did this and all is fine.

Also this big they are a lot harder to move around because of the weight. It probably goes 40,000 pounds or so.

That same friend will move it the 10 miles for $100.

 

[MossRoad]

As long as you know the people that own and operate it, and accept the risks, it looks like a good deal.

 

[EddieWalker]

Jason,

The sprocket looks well past it's time and you will be very lucky to get by without throughing a track.

39 acres of clearing can mean allot of different things, especially in what part of Texas you are in. I spent two months running my Case 1550 Dozer and a full sized backhoe cleaing 7 acres. I had my dad helping, and we took out every single tree to build my lake.

I don't know how much power or how heavy an old D6 is, but mine is just under a newer D6 in power at 169hp. I cannot just push over any old tree. I can push over most trees a foot or so thick, and sometimes even bigger if it's been raining and not too hot out. Bigger trees require digging out allot of dirt, buiding a ramp and pushing them over. This can take hours for one tree. I've found that a backhoe will take out a big tree so much faster then my dozer that it's not even comparable. If I can't push over a tree in one or two attempts, then I leave it and come back later with the backhoe.

How much clearing do you plan on doing, and how thick is it? Thinking that you can do half or even a quarter as much clearing as a guy in a new machine who knows what he's doing isn't. realistic. If the guy who gave you a bid said he could do it in one month, I'd figure six months at the soonest to do the same thing. Probably twice that.

The hard parts isn't even taking out the trees. That's easy. The hard part is getting rid of them. Moving hundreds of tones of trees and brush takes allot of skill with your blade and machine. If you only end up with one yard of dirt every time you push a pile of debri to the burn pile, you'll be lucky. My dad has hundreds of hours on my dozer, and he gets tired real fast and loses concentration. The next thing you know, he has a 20 yard pile of dirt in front of the burn pile. Dirt doesn't burn, so it's more work all around.

I agree you can't lose for that price, but you should still be ready to spend some time wrenching on it and givng up some of your cash. Dozers love lots of cash!!!!!

Eddie

 

[john_bud]

Dozers love lots of cash!!!!!

Eddie

I know BOAT means, "Break Out Another Thousand" having found out the hard way....

but what does DOZER mean??

jb

 

[BobG_in_VA]

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

 

[machmeter62]

I try to make rational decisions; and have gambled on many purchases......that dozer would be one of them!! The price is right! If one purchase a new automobile; at least $5000 disappears before any miles are put on it in resale value?? Go for it, you may regret it for the rest of your life, if you pass it up. If it breaks...........put a new coat of paint on it, and the value may double, if it is a reasonable repair?? But I also would be somewhat gentle with it to reduce the risks of problems. Just the entertainment of operating it would be worth the cost to me; plus you can clear the land at your own pace.

 

[Offy]

I don't think that you are taking much of a gamble. I'd go for it!

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin jshbryan,
I dont know anything about bulldozers, but the fact that your old school buddy that has run that machine is telling you that it runs well and is worth every penny makes it sound good to me !

 

[Bob_Young]

Watch that thing like a hawk the first several hours you run it. Even relatively new stuff that sits for 6 mos. can sprout problems. With 50 yr. old seals, who knows what might let go.

If you hop off it every 30 minutes and look for leaks & other signs of impending disaster, it might save you a boatload of trouble.
Bob

 

[DavesTractor]

The sprockets look 100% worn. It's likely the pins/bushings are in similar shape, making it easy to toss a track. Of course if the u/c was real nice, you would have to pay more for it. I'm with you in concept, I like the idea, but you should have a dozer expert address the track condition for an opinion if there is enough left for your project. If so, buy it.