The dozer search...

[City Farmer]

My Case 350 isn't in the same league as the bigger dozers you guys have but it's a runner. It won't push the big trees over or pop out the big stumps. But, it cuts right through the small trees less than 3" and some of the bigger ones when it's wet. For cutting ditches/driveways, pushing dirt/gravel and general farm work it gets the job done in a hurry. I'm not sure how many yards a full overflowing blade is but it pushes it with no problem. Unlike you guys down south, in SE Michigan we never have to worry about the ground turning into hard pan. Its been so wet these last few months that every creek and pond is over flowing.

 

[EddieWalker]

Something that's been mentioned a few times that might be overlooked when out looking at dozers is how does it steer. The Deere 450G that I ran for a little while was lever steer. It was a total pain in the but to work the steering and the blade. It didn't take long to really dislike running it. My Case 1550 is pedal steer, which leaves my hands free to control the speed in either direction with my left hand, and the blade with my right hand. I have to use my right heal to change the angle of the blade, but that's pretty quick and easy once you get used to it.

When I first started looking, I was bargain hunting and looked at quite a few farm dozers. Every one of them was junk, even worse, they usually did something to hide a problem, or wouldn't even let me test drive it saying there was some simple, cheap thing that needed to be replaced, but they didn't have the time to do it. I heard that so often that I realized it was what they said when they knew something really bad was wrong with it and it was extremely expensive to fix.

I also looked at the auctions, but from talking to guys there, it was a real challenge to figure out the deals and the scams. Seems that if you close off a cylinder or two, it will fire right up, wont smoke and sound fantastic. They put a BB in the end of the fuel line at the injector. Other scams are adding sawdust to the oil to stop leaks and the most common, new paint to hide everything else.

The used dealers turned out to be where I found the best deals. They sold low hour rental units for the best prices. Machinery Trader, Equipment Trader Online, and Craigslist all had lots of dealers on there. They never post everything they have, but it was a great source to find out where they where and go look at what was in their yard.

Be sure to get them to deliver it for free, that's an easy bargaining chip and one that's expected, but never offered until you make it part of the deal.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I've heard that other places as well. There have been a couple of 450 and 550s that I was interested in, but they all sold quickly.

There's a 550B listed on CL about 150mi from me, but the tracks look pretty tired (no adjustment left). I've also heard the 550s were sort of an orphan in the Deere line, and some had transmission issues that got expensive quickly....but I could be mistaken.

I think deere got a bad rap on the transmissions. They are a power shift and not meant to be clutched. I have been running a 450b track loader and power shift it through all ranges and only clutch when i want to change gears. The 550 were all wet clutch IIRC so thats a plus. The smaller case dozers were unique with the steering but they weren't to bad to get onto. I used to run one a little bit when I was a young buck!

 

[moriboy]

I've heard that other places as well. There have been a couple of 450 and 550s that I was interested in, but they all sold quickly. There's a 550B listed on CL about 150mi from me, but the tracks look pretty tired (no adjustment left). I've also heard the 550s were sort of an orphan in the Deere line, and some had transmission issues that got expensive quickly....but I could be mistaken.

You are correct about the 550,550A,550B series. Great machines, but the transmissions are the weak point and can be very expensive to fix.

 

[TSO]

I've talked with some local guys that really like their Komstsu machines, and claim they are very reliable. I still may end up with a smaller D21/31 someday when everything else is paid for, just to see how it goes.

Have you looked into them at all?

 

[GManBart]

I always try and buy things that I "Think" I can sell without too much difficulty. But I have learned my lessons as well, the hard way.

That gives me hope for a JD 450 someday. A later wet clutch one, but I am now a little confused about all I have read.

A friend and neighbour bought a new Dresser trim dozer some years ago. I had never even heard of them and thought, WHY? I guess, they are actually made by some respectable company, but forget who. I never did ask this guy, how the machine was, after all these years.

My friend with the 750s, really likes his little Komatsu with rubber tracks.

My dream would be to find a JD 450 at an estate sale. One where you can see how the guy cared for his stuff. In truth though, around here with all the stoney ground, an excavator is king.

Dresser dozers were really made by International. Dresser bought that part of their business, and little changed other than the name on the side. Later Komatsu bought the whole operation, specifically for the smaller dozers (as I've been told). Eventually Dressta bought them out, and they're still making updated versions of the TD7 and TD8 (can't recall the new numbers they use). Some folks swear that the TD7/8 was the best of the bunch in that size category, but that will always be a point people will argue.

I've had a line on a couple of 450s and decent ones seem to sell fast, so you're not alone!

 

[EddieWalker]

I thought Dresta was bought out by Fiat, who also owns Case and New Holland? Dresser is owned by Intersoll Rand, who also recently purchased American Standard

 

[GManBart]

I've talked with some local guys that really like their Komstsu machines, and claim they are very reliable. I still may end up with a smaller D21/31 someday when everything else is paid for, just to see how it goes.

Have you looked into them at all?

I have, but there's really only been one in the area of the size I was looking for, and they don't seem to command the attention the other brands do. If I was keeping it for a long time, I probably would have gone and looked at it.

 

[GManBart]

I thought Dresta was bought out by Fiat, who also owns Case and New Holland? Dresser is owned by Intersoll Rand, who also recently purchased American Standard

That could definitely be true...I haven't tried to keep track. I thought Dressta bought the dozer line from Dresser, and Dresser continued making other stuff, but that's just an impression I have which could be wrong. Last I knew at least two of the current Dressta machines were the modern versions of the TD7 and TD8...I think they're all made in Poland.

 

[GManBart]

So, I went and looked at the CAT today....and it's being delivered next week. I checked it over pretty well before the mechanic even came out to give me the keys, and then ran it for a full hour pushing dirt. One thing I liked was that the mechanic asked if I need any help, started the engine, got back on his UTV and said "have fun" and rode away.

It started easily (I checked and it was dead cold when I got there), ran very smoothly, and didn't smoke. Once up to temperature it had some blow by through the breather, but it wasn't excessive, and that engine is known for having some blow by even when fairly new (only has two rings on the piston). When I ran it into the big pile of dirt it would easily spin both tracks without a problem and it had no trouble pushing a full blade. The steering was good in both directions, the brakes would lock up the tracks easily, and the transmission was solid in all three gears. I didn't find any cracks or welds in the frame, etc, and the hydraulics were all good with the exception of a leaking fitting that they're going to replace (it started leaking while I was running it). After an hour I shut it down, and restarted it hot...no problem. I then went around again looking for leaks/problems, and only found the small leak on one of the blade hoses.

I got them down to the number I had in mind when I got there, and almost got free delivery until they found out it was 180 miles! I've talked with a couple of local equipment haulers, and they quoted me $400-500 for a similar distance. The dealer agreed to split it, so I'm paying $250 to get it hauled here. The sales guy twice mentioned that before they deliver a machine they put it in the shop and go through it from top to bottom....check all the fluids again, make sure the clutches and brakes are adjusted properly etc...he was pretty adamant that they try to deliver machines that are really ready to go to work. I guess I'll find out soon enough!

Anyway, I'll post pics when it gets delivered