First dozer purchase,

[Jacob Johnson]

Looking between CAT, Case, John Deere. Between 25,000-35,000LB machine

application: light dirt work (house pads, clearing work, etc) not sure if that is broad enough. But don’t want to limit the work.

I have looked at the different brands just looking at quality and getting good service from dealers. What is you guys experience and what direction?

Located in Central Texas by Austin.

 

[Andrew S]

Jacob,
I've been collecting dozers for 20 years. Nearly all of mine are old direct drive Caterpillar machines from the 1950s. You need something much newer than that. I feel like I could write a book on finding and buying one. The most helpful tip I could give you is, don't let a "new" or "like new" undercarriage be the reason to buy an old or used crawler (unless you need an UC). EVERY machine I've bought with a new UC has had something else wrong with it that I couldn't see. This lesson I've learned is probably more consistent with 30+ year old equip that hasn't moved in years. I find a machine with a half worn out UC much more appealing because it took something to wear out that UC.
I'm looking at a hydrostatic JD 750B right now. It sat up for ten years with the exhaust uncovered. No one knew anything about it. I hooked jumper cables up to it a few days ago and it fired right up with no starting fluid! The batteries in it have 2008 on them. I was surprised it cranked up and ran so well. It has no hydraulic fluid in it so it may be a project machine if I get it. The UC is about 40-50% used up.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

I gotcha very good input i appreciate you taking the time to write on that.

Im probably going to stick with a used machine in the 1000 Hour range. Just can’t decide what brand.

 

[JL Sargent]

Im probably going to stick with a used machine in the 1000 Hour range.

My simple advice: Do not trust an hour meter.

 

[CM1995]

Welcome to the Forums JJ!

What is your budget? Will this machine be used to earn a living or personal use?

Disclaimer - I am a Cat guy with a good dealer that we have a great relationship with so my advice is tainted with yellow glasses. Deere makes a great small dozer that in some ways is better than the Cat K series down to operate. However we bought a new D3 LGP (the old D5K) this year and Cat has stepped it's dozer line up significantly. Now to be honest I haven't operated a new 2021 Deere so take that with a grain of salt as well.

Dealer support is more important than brand IMO when looking at Cat, Deere and Kommie's for small dozers and excavators. Our Deere dealer in my area has a very, very small footprint compared to Cat and Komatsu, Case is almost non-existent. Our Cat dealer has went to bat for us more times than I can remember. Currently we are doing a Cat field trial on an auto quick coupler on our 325FL, the type that automatically hooks up the quick connects on our hammer.

A 25-35K machine is a little heavy for house pads but a little light for heavy clearing so that is a question you need to nail down on what type of work you think you will be doing the most of. Our new D3 comes in around 23K in LGP for example.

We need some more information on how much you want to spend and what you want to do in the long term with the machine.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

Well a little bit about myself. I do like excavation work and small construction work. Septic Installation, repair, replace, waste water hauling, etc. To give you an idea of the equipment I full with back hoes, excavators, haul trucks (Kenworth W900).
Looking to start a small business and grow it into something one day.

My outlook on budget is less than $100,000.00, I’d rather pay for something good and not have to keep it in the shop. I know machines can get up into the 300k range but that is out of my scope. I am located in La Grange Texas between Houston / Austin / and 1.5 hours from San Antonio.

Furthest away is CAT, Case is close in Brenham, and John Deere (mainly service the ah industry near me)

 

[Jacob Johnson]

When I say out of my scope I am not trying to do big dirt work just small projects. Start with house pads, land clearing, etc. Good starter dozer to roll into bigger projects and get some experience under me.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

My simple advice: Do not trust an hour meter.

You are right.

 

[CM1995]

How do you plan on moving the dozer? Do you have or will you purchase a truck and trailer to move it or hire the mobilization out?

We hire all our heavy iron mobilization out as it's much cheaper than owning and operating our own lowboy however our projects last at least a month or more. If you are moving weekly or more often then you will have to have a truck and trailer to make the $$ work so take that into consideration.

Not familiar with the Case dozers but since the dealer is closest to you I would investigate that option first. My suggestion would be a dozer that has no DEF if you can find something decent which will be difficult. I'll let the others on the board advise on which Case dozer to purchase.

If you were to look at Cat I would look at a C or G model. A budget of $100K gives you many options well below that amount with a C or G model. We have a 2004 Cat D5G XL bought new that has been an exceptional tractor that has made us money over the years and will continue to in semi-retirement.

 

[Jacob Johnson]

How do you plan on moving the dozer? Do you have or will you purchase a truck and trailer to move it or hire the mobilization out?

We hire all our heavy iron mobilization out as it's much cheaper than owning and operating our own lowboy however our projects last at least a month or more. If you are moving weekly or more often then you will have to have a truck and trailer to make the $$ work so take that into consideration.

Not familiar with the Case dozers but since the dealer is closest to you I would investigate that option first. My suggestion would be a dozer that has no DEF if you can find something decent which will be difficult. I'll let the others on the board advise on which Case dozer to purchase.

If you were to look at Cat I would look at a C or G model. A budget of $100K gives you many options well below that amount with a C or G model. We have a 2004 Cat D5G XL bought new that has been an exceptional tractor that has made us money over the years and will continue to in semi-retirement.

Yes, currently have a 25T Kaufman lowboy and a Single axle W900L 475ISX. We haul our own equipment don’t like to rely on anyone, and jobs are much shorter duration maybe 1 week.

mans thanks for the input on the CAT I am open to whichever option. I mean you take care of any machine it will last any brand most of the time. Anything outside of that out of an owners control. That has been my experience watching other people with equipment.