Dozer suggestion?

Larry_Van_Horn · Jan 12, 2004

Folks,
I would appreciate any and all suggestions you care to offer here. I have about 10 acres that are pretty much inaccesable due to some mushy area. I would like to get back and clean out all the brush and figure out why I have the standing water that I do in certain areas. After a week of zero temps, I wnet back there with my TC40D and still sunk in. Feel I need a dozer.

I can rent a dozer for $1,000 a week. I just don't have ability to set aside that much time however to do the job and am considering purchasing a small dozer that I can do the work when time permits.

So do you have any recommendations on a small dozer to do what I want that I can get resonably? I also have a Case 580D, but can't get that anywhere near the area right now obviously. Am I looking at $10K for a used Komatsu D20P or is there a less costly alternative?

Thanks for you thoughts.
Larry

Old_Hickory · Jan 12, 2004

1st of all you are not disturbing one of those federally protected "Wetlands" are you ?

Why don't you hire a dozer/dozer operator?

Larry_Van_Horn · Jan 12, 2004

Nope, I have checked into that. I also don't intend to do any real excavation there either. You are right in that I could hire an operator, I kind of like doing these things myself at my own pace . I also have a lot of fill that I need to grade from having my pond excavated.

Tags · Jan 12, 2004

Larry,
I used to have a JD 450D but I sold it. I do have a friend that has a real nice Komatsu D21 that I use from time to time. It does a heck of a job for its size spreading loose material, like the stuff that you'll get outta your pond, but it does require a bit of patience to really make sizeable cuts with it, especiallly here in the northeast where all the rocks seem to be. His machine also has the wider tracks which is what you'll want to look for so you'll have better flotation in the wet stuff, the wider tracks are usually called "LGP tracks" (low ground pressure). If you go out dozer hunting try to stick with machines that have "wet" steering clutches, they wear better than dry types and don't require half the maintenance. Also give the undercarriage a good look, run your hands over the bushings (the pin that rides in the sprocket) to make sure there are no severe flat spots or holes, and check to see if the sprockets are severely pointed, these are just some signs that the machine may be in need of an undercarriage relatively soon, and that gets pricy.

DarinRay · Jan 13, 2004

Hello Larry,

My suggestion is buy one of my machines. LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks again for the call the other day and hope to hear from you again.

Darin
716-942-6318

LoganWildman · Jan 13, 2004

You can't go wrong with the Kumatsu D20 or D21. They are very nice dozers for their size. I don't know how far your willing to look, but we have a publication that covers Indiana, Michigan and Ohio (www.autorv.com) and lists heavy equipment like dozers etc.

Also the Case 550 long track is a nice unit. I don't have any experience with other brands to offer comments.

Woodbeef · Jan 15, 2004

I've owned Deere,and used IH/Dresser,AC,and Case. If I was going to buy one today it would definately be a Case. I liked the hydrostatic tracks on them.

ScottAR · Jan 15, 2004

??? Case has only built one hydro dozer, the 1550. Was that it? Just curious...

Woodbeef · Jan 16, 2004

Are not the tracks on all the Case crawlers hydro driven? at least I thought they were. If not then how are they powered?

ScottAR · Jan 16, 2004

After '65, all Case dozers (except the 1550) had torque convertors and powershift trans. They used a two speed steering arrangment for each track so power turns could be made.

Neat system, but not quite as neat as differential steering on the highdrive Cats. Same power turns without all the shifting.