Looking to buy a dozer

[Storm56]

For such a small job, why not just rent a dozer for a week?

Eddie

Not a bad idea, you know your costs and if it pops a motor, clutch, tranny, pump etc, it is not your responsibility. Take a vacation and have a ball!

I had an older 450B model for about 15 years. It worked OK but I did sink some dollars in it. When you look at the work I did with it, it did pay for itself. But if you only have a few small jobs and then intend on selling it, the rent thing makes sense.

You could buy the thing and easily have a major problem after a few hours. That is the risk when purchasing older used equipment. Dozers generally get worked very hard at numerous points along the way. The fact that the one you are looking at has stress cracks is evidence this one is no exception.

Repair costs add up real quick on any heavy equipment.

 

[ultrarunner]

About 15 years ago I was Dozer shopping to build and maintain fire trails on family land...

I wanted something I could trailer with a one ton and never did find anything worth buying for the money.

My local Deere Dealer had a Cat D3 and we got to talking... the short story is I bought it... put half on my credit card with one of those no interest deals for a year and had them deliver it.

It has done everything I have asked and a lot of fun too.

Right now... I could spend some money on some cylinder seal kits... so far I it leaks very little to I run about a 5 gallon bucket of fluid for a season.

I did replace the brakes banks on both sides and a hydraulic line I damaged... Peterson CAT has had everything I needed and is about 5 miles away...

When the line broke they asked if I was on a job... which I was... they walked me back in the shop and made it on the spot...

I maybe just lucky so far...

I didn't rent because I need to do the work on my schedule and when the conditions are just right...

The only downside is I own nothing that can transport it... this also means I don't have to "Loan" it out.

 

[Ken45101]

I would love to have a D3 :thumbsup: But I sure cannot justify it and I have enough toys to otherwise do the job.

For such a small job, why not just rent a dozer for a week?

Eddie

I agree, that sounds like the second best option for the OP.

I am surprised that he can't find a contractor to do it for him. A few years back I had a contractor come in and clear some trails for me. It was $500/day and well worth it and probably a lot cheaper than buying some old dozer and hoping it didn't break and that I could sell it for most of my money.

Ken

 

[Bob Rooks]

For such a small job, why not just rent a dozer for a week?

Eddie

Totally agree. :thumbsup:

 

[Bob Rooks]

I wanted something I could trailer with a one ton and never did find anything worth buying for the money.

There is always the Yuchai, but maybe it didn't cross your path back then. I have one that I haul behind my F-350 dually. The little dozer is very under rated and very reliable.

 

[Ken45101]

I think the Komatsu D20, etc. are small, trailerable dozers. There is a long thread on the Heavy Equipment Forum about them
Section for komatsu d20,21 and similar grey market dozers

Ken

 

[Rio_Grande]

Well ultra hit it on the head. I need to do it when I can. I have plenty of time to take off of work but rarely can take it. I even have the option of paying a local operator 15.00 an hour to run a rental and it would be well worth it but on his schedule when he can. Course weather permiting. It just seems like an un obtainable scheduling date of you know what I mean. I have a fella coming out this week to look it over and shoot a bid on it. Last guy that would do a bid said 4000.00 but we didnt know what we were asking for and diddnt have the work done that we do now. If I could get a dozer in to cut 80 yards down and around one hill and 80 yards up another and cut my ditches in same roads. I can do the rest with my track loader.

 

[danceswithdirt]

A cat d3 in good condition can usually be found for 10-15k. Just bidded on one at auction a week ago. I went to $10500 but seller needed 12k and no saled. Machine had a good undercarriage and was in good shape. I didnt need it and knew I could turn it for a little money. Lots of these machines havent been used that hard by some of the larger outfits. Some of the larger companies use small dozers very little but keep them for specific jobs.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I picked up a D-31p for $6500 cple years ago ,didnt really have to put much money in it just time with new wiring and mess with the track tensioners. I would say I have done enough work to pay for itself but I am gonna run it until it gives up then sell it for parts if anything is good on it by then if not,scrap.

 

[redprospector]

I've been looking for a little dozer. A D3 or JD 450. I'm trying to find one with a winch and maybe a skidding arch on it, but so far no luck.
I've seen some sprockets that are so sharp you could shave with them, and I've seen track shoes that were worn down slick. All of them I've seen advertized that looked worth going to look at were sold last week.:laughing:

Andy