• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

First dozer

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
After dreaming about having a ranch and a dozer since I was 10 years old, 1967, it all came full circle today. Had the ranch since 2002, got approval from the budget committee to get that dozer. A 2006 cat D4G with rippers with 3600 hours. Very well maintained. Bringing it home tomorrow. I like the idea of no more renting
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
16,067
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you.

Had the ranch since 2002, got approval from the budget committee to get that dozer.

Got a chuckle out that one - my purchasing agent is a tightwad as well. I have to fill out forms in triplicate.. :D

I bought a D5GXL in 2004 brand new. First dozer I ever purchased. Still have it today as a semi-retired machine we'll use to push the dump off or similar tasks.

The G series are good machines however they do have some quirky electrical issues if the system is not running around 14.4 volts - everywhere on the machine.

After going through all the fluids and filters, run through the batteries and alternator checking voltage. Low voltage can cause all sorts of issues on the tractor. You might think something is seriously wrong only to find out there is a battery or alternator going out.
 

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
After dreaming about having a ranch and a dozer since I was 10 years old, 1967, it all came full circle today. Had the ranch since 2002, got approval from the budget committee to get that dozer. A 2006 cat D4G with rippers with 3600 hours. Very well maintained. Bringing it home tomorrow. I like the idea of no more renting
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1629.jpeg
    IMG_1629.jpeg
    2.3 MB · Views: 23
  • IMG_1628.jpeg
    IMG_1628.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 23
  • IMG_1627.jpeg
    IMG_1627.jpeg
    3.2 MB · Views: 23

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
Get an Operation and Maintenance Manual ASAP if it doesn’t come with one. If you are wrenching it yourself you ideally will need one. Post a machine Serial Number to help identify the appropriate manual. Last time I looked a genuine OEM one was just over $50 to download and you have it in 5 minutes or less.
Got one coming. Thanks
 

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you.



Got a chuckle out that one - my purchasing agent is a tightwad as well. I have to fill out forms in triplicate.. :D

I bought a D5GXL in 2004 brand new. First dozer I ever purchased. Still have it today as a semi-retired machine we'll use to push the dump off or similar tasks.

The G series are good machines however they do have some quirky electrical issues if the system is not running around 14.4 volts - everywhere on the machine.

After going through all the fluids and filters, run through the batteries and alternator checking voltage. Low voltage can cause all sorts of issues on the tractor. You might think something is seriously wrong only to find out there is a battery or alternator going out.
Thanks for that
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
16,067
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Nice looking G! Congrats.

Pads have a lot of life yet. Can't tell the rest of the UC.

You will like having the ripper for nothing less - balance. Our D5G is a little nose heavy. If I had to do it all over again I would've bought one with rippers.
 
Last edited:

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
A genuine OEM one I hope. There are a lot of manuals being sold on the likes of eBay that are not worth the paper they are printed on. To add insult to injury they are often more expensive than a genuine one.
Genuine it is. Thanks.
 

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
New cutting edges and end bits will be here tomorrow. Found my first electrical gremlin. One of the hour meter wires was broke when I went to check it out. Not the red wire. When I got it home, I saw the broken wire was connected via but connector. With the engine running, the hour meter blinks like it should, but there is only zeros all the way across. Any ideas from my new friends?
 

snowpl0w

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2026
Messages
10
Location
Mississippi
Congrats! Looks like a nice dozer, I recently purchased a D5G LGP and this forum has helped me out tremendously already. The ripper is a nice touch, I would like to add rear hydraulics to mine eventually to pull a disc/ fire plow since mine is retired to farm duty now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CDR

CatToy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
248
Location
SE Tn
Congratulations, same as you, wanted one every since 1975 when I was 10, my grandfather put me on a old D6 in a logging field to get me out of his and the crews hair and away from the loaders and trucks... barely could operate the clutches and brakes much less the blade but boy it was fun. Finally got a low hour D4H LGP, I have put over 500 hours on it moving the same dirt back and forth but who cares...
 
  • Like
Reactions: CDR

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
Congrats! Looks like a nice dozer, I recently purchased a D5G LGP and this forum has helped me out tremendously already. The ripper is a nice touch, I would like to add rear hydraulics to mine eventually to pull a disc/ fire plow since mine is retired to farm duty now.
Thats great
 

CDR

Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2026
Messages
9
Location
Ukiah Ca
Congratulations, same as you, wanted one every since 1975 when I was 10, my grandfather put me on a old D6 in a logging field to get me out of his and the crews hair and away from the loaders and trucks... barely could operate the clutches and brakes much less the blade but boy it was fun. Finally got a low hour D4H LGP, I have put over 500 hours on it moving the same dirt back and forth but who cares...
Its funny how the road of dreams finally turns reality. Been on just about everything in the equipment world at a young age. Spent 32 years in the fire service, running equipment on my days off for various companies, retired in 2020. Now I’ve got my own mountain. Good times
 
Top