Thinking smaller?

stathamj · Oct 9, 2013

OK everyone, I need your thoughts. I haven't found anything yet in the way of a loader or dozer. I'm still looking though. I've went and looked at several that said good U/C. Only to find that the rollers were eating the bushing flanges up because the rollers and rails were worn out. Or, the machine needed new drive sprockets and grousers and the bushings returned or replace.
But, I did find a few smaller dozers that are in good shape. Granted they wouldn't really do everything that I wanted them to be able to do. But, at least I could clear out all of the underbrush and small sapplings <6" hopefully.
Along with the original '64 Cat D4C I also found a couple of Mitsubishi BD2g's a Komatsu D20p and a D31p (I believe). I also found a Case 450c and a 550 (haven't looked at yet) The only thing else is a JD 450C. I was looking for a 550.
I think all of the machines are close to the same weight and size. The BD2g being the smallest I believe and maybe the Case 550 being the biggest. I'm going by weight. All of the machines are in the 9-13K price range
My question is which one would probably be the best one? I know it depends on a lot of other factors. There are both a JD and Cat dealer within 30 miles. A Komatsu within 60 and unsure about the Mitsubishi or case dealers.
I had thought about just getting a Big AG tractor with a loader. But, was unsure if that would be as good. I've looked at Wheel loaders and around here they're as much as a good dozer.
Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Otherwise I'm still looking.

Thank you,

James

Bob Rooks · Oct 9, 2013

The Mitsubishi and Komatsu could be grey market tractors. That doesn't make them bad tractors, just more difficult to find some parts for.
How large of an area are you planning to clear, and are there any time constraints?

stathamj · Oct 10, 2013

The underbrush, small sapplings, briar and grape vines cover 40 acres. Now granted there are some areas that aren't as bad and heavily covered as others. There are no time constraints per say. But, I'm trying to get it whaere I can get my travel trailer on it by December. That's why I'm having it done. But, at $1600 a day for 1 acre I can't afford for him to do the remaining 39 acres. The big thing was getting someone out there in the first place. Took six months to find someone and get them there to do it. So, the big thing is just having the convienence to be able to do it as I want. But, that being said I'd like to have everything done in 2 years. (When I retire)
Like I stated earlier, I might have to have someone do the bigger trees and the pond and I'll do the smaller stuff. Getting rid of the underbrush and general cleanup would do wonders for the asthetics. I'm just trying to determine the best route to go. I would rent. But, that is out, because I can't get off enough to do that and go on vacations. So, that's why I'm looking to buy one. I figured even a small one I could clear out the underbrush. Because there are so many blow downs and broken limbs on the ground I don't want a wheeled tractor. I will eventually get one for gardening and maitainence though.
Don't the gray market tractors have the namplate data in a foreign language? I know my neighbors old Yanmar was in Chinese, I believe, including the serial number.

James

Bob Rooks · Oct 10, 2013

You're doing the same thing I'm doing, cleaning up the land. My Mitsubishi is also a grey market unit which correlates to Caterpillar, and yes, there isn't one single label or nameplate that I can read :laughing:. I installed a hydraulic thumb and a quick-hitch for the different buckets and the rake. It's a 3.5 ton machine and can do a ton of work, yet light enough to be hauled around with my 1-ton pickup and 14,000 lb. trailer.
Grey market units are almost always cheaper to purchase because of prejudices, unfounded fears, and preferences. FWIW, my little Chinese dozer with the root rake on the blade makes short work of underbrush, but the rake I got for the mini-ex combined with the thumb is the bomb.

stathamj · Oct 10, 2013

I just want to make sure I'll be able to clean out the underbrush if I got a small dozer. I'd hate to get one and find out it's too small for anything except pushing dirt. I tried looking on you-tube at the smaller dozers. But, about the only yhing they show them doing is pushing dirt. I can get and Ag tractor with a FEL to do that. I want to see what the can push over. Like a 2" sappling without digging or maybe a 4" with a little digging. Because, if it won't work I might as well save and by bigger. Just wish more were advailable around here. It seems that around here they run about $10K for a 10K lb dozer and $15-$20K for one around 15Klbs. Basically, $1.00 a pound it seems. I just want to get one that will do the job and not have to turn around and buy another one because it was too small. Thanks for the info.

James

James

Bob Rooks · Oct 10, 2013

Apparently you didn't see the video of my dozer pushing over a 4" sapling. It's on You Tube.

stathamj · Oct 10, 2013

No, I didn't see a link. What's it under?

James

Bob Rooks · Oct 10, 2013

Starts at 2:25. 30HP Dozer also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOALrvSVYgc - YouTube

stathamj · Oct 11, 2013

Thanks. Watched most of the others as well. What does that one weigh? I went and looked at a JD350c today. It looked nice. But, he had someone else demo it for me. It seems like the consensus is If they don't/won't let you operate it beware. But, he said someone else was coming to look at it tomorrow. I wasn't just going to buy it by just looking at it. The buyer that 's coming is a equipment broker. He'll buy it, then resell it for a grand or so more. I'd rather have at least a 450c I think.
Thanks again,

James

chrisw212000 · Oct 28, 2013

I have a Mitsubishi bs3f and it really surprises me. I push over trees some a foot in diameter. It'll take stuff I laugh at saying no way it'll do that and shut me up. Sure you have to work at it more than a big machine. I had a Deere 750 loaned to me and i found myself saying many times that my little machine could push this tree over when the big dozer wouldn't. But overall you can't expect a 12,000 lb machine to do the work of a d9 either. 6" and down trees in my eyes are easy work with the little loader. Bigger stuff you'll have to dig at the roots and push like heck.