Advice Needed: Buying a Tracked Dozer with Winch for 60 Acres - Budget Under $15k

[coachsugar]

I’m in the market for a tracked dozer equipped with a winch to help manage my 60-acre property. My main tasks include:

• Winching logs up to trails
• Widening existing trails
• Repairing washouts and other ground work

Stability is a key concern for me as I’ll be working on varied terrain. Additionally, I need a machine that has a good supply of parts available to ensure long-term usability. My budget is under $15,000.

Recently, I found a 1958 JI Case 310 crawler for sale near me, which has launched me into the possibility of making my dream a reality. However, I’m worried about finding parts when something goes bad.

I’m brand new to owning equipment, so any general advice on parts and equipment vendors would also be greatly appreciated. For reference, I am located in Indiana.

I am a part-time woodworker and am investing in the equipment to harvest my own lumber for customer projects. Given these requirements, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or advice from those with experience in similar tasks. Specifically, I’m looking for:

1. Model Recommendations: Which models should I consider that fit my budget and needs?
2. Parts Availability: Are there specific models that have better parts availability, especially concerning older models like the 1958 JI Case 310?
3. Performance: Any insights on the performance of these models for logging and trail work?
4. General Advice: Tips for a novice equipment owner on parts, maintenance, and reliable vendors.

Your expertise and advice would be invaluable in helping me make an informed decision. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Janicholson]

Case industrial machines are, and have been popular because of ruggedness. But those put on the market are often used rather heavily. Not to say they are trash, but there more likely worn in many ways not just engines or blades.
Your budget is mediocre at best. This is because you indicate your novice relationship with equipment.
With that base:
Undercarrage on a tracked unit is radically expensive to repair and not like changing tires. It must be sound and well maintained when purchased.
Hydraulics and attachments should be assessed. Clean fluids, few leaks, good hose appearance, smooth operation.
A totally manual transmission is not your friend, A torque converter based drive is much easier and smoother to operate.
Diesels are very different than Gas engines with no experience, getting starting and operating under control is important. It is experiential.
Electrical systems must be in top shape with good battery/s to start the machine and keep it reliable.

A four wheel drive tractor may be a better fit. Where in Indiana are you? I was born there and know the state. Jim

 

[cdmn]

I started out as a detail drafter at Allis Chalmers in Springfield, Illinois, so I have a soft spot for them.
The old timers told me that farm work was the easiest there was. Steel mill and arctic work was really hard
on them. We didn't build the small farm crawlers, I think Milwaukee did. HD3 and HD4. (also built with
gas engines) The HD5 got a lot of customers, but that 2 cycle diesel was awfully loud,
Competitors were small JD, small IHC, and Oliver. I suppose I shouldn't leave out the D2.
My brother-in-law farmed with mid-size IHC, but the squeaking tracks were hard on his hearing.

 

[RBnWA]

I’m in the market for a tracked dozer equipped with a winch to help manage my 60-acre property. My main tasks include:

• Winching logs up to trails
• Widening existing trails
• Repairing washouts and other ground work

Stability is a key concern for me as I’ll be working on varied terrain. Additionally, I need a machine that has a good supply of parts available to ensure long-term usability. My budget is under $15,000.

Recently, I found a 1958 JI Case 310 crawler for sale near me, which has launched me into the possibility of making my dream a reality. However, I’m worried about finding parts when something goes bad.

I’m brand new to owning equipment, so any general advice on parts and equipment vendors would also be greatly appreciated. For reference, I am located in Indiana.

I am a part-time woodworker and am investing in the equipment to harvest my own lumber for customer projects. Given these requirements, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or advice from those with experience in similar tasks. Specifically, I’m looking for:

1. Model Recommendations: Which models should I consider that fit my budget and needs?
2. Parts Availability: Are there specific models that have better parts availability, especially concerning older models like the 1958 JI Case 310?
3. Performance: Any insights on the performance of these models for logging and trail work?
4. General Advice: Tips for a novice equipment owner on parts, maintenance, and reliable vendors.

Your expertise and advice would be invaluable in helping me make an informed decision. Thank you in advance for your help!

Coach I know where a 450 case might be for sale in Ohio east of Richmond In. You must be in southern In. I can get you con tact information if you want. If you know how private message me. Richard BTW the engine doesn't have many hours on it.

 

[buickanddeere]

I’m in the market for a tracked dozer equipped with a winch to help manage my 60-acre property. My main tasks include:

• Winching logs up to trails
• Widening existing trails
• Repairing washouts and other ground work

Stability is a key concern for me as I’ll be working on varied terrain. Additionally, I need a machine that has a good supply of parts available to ensure long-term usability. My budget is under $15,000.

Recently, I found a 1958 JI Case 310 crawler for sale near me, which has launched me into the possibility of making my dream a reality. However, I’m worried about finding parts when something goes bad.

I’m brand new to owning equipment, so any general advice on parts and equipment vendors would also be greatly appreciated. For reference, I am located in Indiana.

I am a part-time woodworker and am investing in the equipment to harvest my own lumber for customer projects. Given these requirements, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or advice from those with experience in similar tasks. Specifically, I’m looking for:

1. Model Recommendations: Which models should I consider that fit my budget and needs?
2. Parts Availability: Are there specific models that have better parts availability, especially concerning older models like the 1958 JI Case 310?
3. Performance: Any insights on the performance of these models for logging and trail work?
4. General Advice: Tips for a novice equipment owner on parts, maintenance, and reliable vendors.

Your expertise and advice would be invaluable in helping me make an informed decision. Thank you in advance for your help!

Add another $30,000 for undercarriage work .

 

[Welding man]

I personally like a Case, because they are easy to work on with no special tools. I put a complete undercarriage under a 450- b last month. it was not cheap. $15,000 is not much of a budget for a 450 size machine with a winch. Winches cost almost as much as the machine itself. If you are leaning toward a Deere, don't but anything older than a C series. Everything prior to that had dry steering clutches, that will drive you crazy. I have worked on enough of them over the years to actually say, I hate them. The best deere is a G series, but I don't think you will find one with a winch for 15 grand, closer to 35.

 

[GermantownGreen]

Get a bigger budget! GG

 

[Sbird]

Three times I've hired a portable band mill to cut my logs off the property for barns and such, over 5000 board feet each time. Most of the skidding was done with a 50 plus HP tractor, a Cat ll draw bar across the lower links with a set of skidding tongs on a clevis and a couple chain hooks on a few links of 3/8" chain dangling from it. If I could back up to the log sometimes I didn't even need to get off the tractor to tong the logs. If I couldn't get the tractor close enough I used chains and cables to get them to the trails A neighbor has a three point skidding implement that's sweet, steel plate with a winch on the protected side, once hooked to the log there's no need to get off the tractor until it's ready to unhook.
I brought in a lot of trees for firewood also, cut the branches off around 4" in diameter and leave the mess in the woods.
Most of my logs where in the 13' to 19' range up to 36" at the butt end but for wood working 8' long would be big log.
A MFWD utility tractor with a loader is in your budget and with a set of forks you can carry logs out and skip having mud on them. That's how my sawyer does his furniture grade logs.
Plus you'll have a machine you can use for property maintenance, it never ends. A box scraper, a scraper blade with tilt and a front bucket will move and shape ground. Not as efficient as a dozer but much more affordable.

 

[MARK ROBKE]

I agree with the other posters who said $15,000 is too low of a budget. BUT---- I just saw a track loader with a winch, listed under an ad : Farm equipment for sale- on Cincinnati Craigslist, posted 6 -13. $9,100. The first pics were a Ford 3000. It is in Georgetown, Ohio. Mark.

 

[Nordic]

Over the decades in business I have owned around a dozen dozers most of them track loaders. It pays to have a used machine checked over before a purchase even if you have to pay an experienced person, whether a mechanic or well experienced operator as they will likely catch some red flags and potentially save you expenses you don't want. It is nearly as important to find out what kind of a seller you are dealing with. Some are waiting for the unsuspecting to come along, but there are honest to goodness sellers also that want to treat you the way they themselves want to be treated. I have bought a number of machines under $15000 that worked out well. I have owned several makes but Caterpillar stands out as the best for being built for the task and for the availability of new and used parts. The real small dozers are a bit of a waste of time, especially older ones. Then you are better off with a tractor especially a 4x4. While I have a good dozer currently, I use a 4 wheel drive articulated loader far more to do most of what you have on your list. If you decide on a machine with a winch, be sure it works really well as they can be a real pain to repair back to excellent shape. You can also buy and install an electric winch, like a 12000 lbs will do some good pulling.
Be sure not to buy a money pit of repairs overall. As has been said, to increase your budget may be the right thing to do. It is way smarter to buy a $20K machine that is good, than to buy a $15K machine that needs $10K of repair in short order. Don't be fooled by new paint even though it may appear convincing. Another good point that has been made, is buying a machine with 'wet steering clutches' rather than the dry style.
If you buy a good machine with good undercarriage etc, you have something to sell when you're done. If you buy and work a well worn machine, you don't have much more than scrap metal when you're finished or at best a parts machine.

 

[caterpillar guy]

For4 a smaller dozer I would go with a D-4 Cat nice little machine with a good parts support .Dealer may not be as close as you would like them but parts are available through aftermarket places also. Cat used to design their machines so the drive train was a bit heavier than the engine so drive train lasted longer than the others .Not under powered by any means just the way they designed them. Undercarriage is the big wear and cost factor on them. All the parts are bull work to replace and move as well, as a lot of them have been together so long if not used regularly that the bolts will all be rusted in. And need to be cut out or off and replaced to fix the pieces. Track chain is not so hard to get just expensive and again bull work, heavy needing hoists or loaders to handle as you remove or install. One with a weak engine would be cheaper to fix than undercarriage would be. Diesels will be more dependable and less problematic. But take a small bit of effort to keep fuel clean and filters changed unlike your cheap junk gas engine. And most of them will be diesels on a Cat after the R models. Which would be older than you want to consider at this time. IF you look at a D-2 look to see if the tracks have a problem with running off. As the bearing for the roller frame wears and gets loose then the roller frame wobbles sideways and the track will come off. The D-4 models had a wish bone type of support for the roller frame which was much better and longer lasting without the tracks coming off from roller frame alignment. As for the other brands don't know much about them except I hauled a Case one time don't remember the model now. But the 2 levers between your feet to steer which sucked since they needed adjustment or something so they set out of line and were touchy about movement. Was not impressed with it. And yes you need to look at a different approch to this since you only have a money pit budget for a machine. We skid logs with an H farmall in winter on snow they will skid easier and less damage to the other trees since the snow helps to work as a cushion to the base as you pull them we also have pulled 20 foot oak out with it this way. We usually have to do all our skidding in winter and keeps the logs cleaner on the snow too. If we get into logs to big to skid with the H we can go get a bigger tractor for it. I don't remember ever using the Cats to skid logs nor a winch just add some chain to reach but then we are on some pretty level terrain compared to some of Southern IN. We don't actually make trails in our woods we just work around some of the trees to get thing through it.

 

[showcrop]

Get a tractor with FWA and logging winch. Look for a utility model which is lower than a row crop, and one with adjustable track wheels, which most of them are. With liquid ballast in the tires the center of gravity is lower.

 

[Ellis Kinney]

There is a company called C&C Equipment in Nashville, Indiana that has a You Tube channel. They deal in used equipment and rebuilding stuff. They might be able to help you or offer suggestions. 812 336 2894 . Good Luck, Ellis

 

[WNYBill]

The big difference of an iron foot over a 4wd tractor is No Flat Tires. We have 50 hp 4wd with a FEL and a Farmi winch. Amazing how much you can pull. Get a HD hyd back blade and you'll be surprised how well you can grade roads. If you need to build roads, hire it done.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

They don’t make small pitch chains anymore. Whatever undercarriage is left on that machine is it… there’s no fixing it without a lot of custom fabrication.

How about organizing the project into groups and then go rent a dozer for a week at a time as money permits.

 

[NoDakInMN]

Since you say you are a part time woodworker seeking to source your own materials for customer projects, I think it would be fair to say you are looking for something in the hobbyist class of equipment rather than commercial wood production level. But an idea of how much wood you intend to harvest would give everyone a better idea of the type and size of equipment you need. For example, I've seen guys log out their own wood for projects with a JD 40C with a blade quite successfully and that is a piece that in good shape would sell for less that half your budget. It may be that a tracked skid steer with all the versatility they offer might be the best option for you.

I don't have a ton of personal experience on crawlers, but I can say that undercarriage and steering clutches are major wear areas. If you don't know a lot, just looking at the wear on the drive sprocket is a quick indicator. If the sprocket is worn to sharp or even fairly sharp points, you can be sure the rest is pretty badly worn as well and you should pass on it. Looking at rollers and pins can confirm this if you know enough tell the difference to know what is worn and what is acceptable. Even on small crawlers repaired and replacement on these areas is a heavy and labor intensive job, not to mention the parts are expensive. Consequently, your cheaper crawlers, depending on the price range for the size and type, will have issues in this area.

 

[coachsugar]

Thank you All for taking the time to respond, your inputs have given me much to consider and research. much appreciated!!

 

[Phil T]

There is a company called C&C Equipment in Nashville, Indiana that has a You Tube channel. They deal in used equipment and rebuilding stuff. They might be able to help you or offer suggestions. 812 336 2894 . Good Luck, Ellis

Most rebuilds I have seen consisted of a fresh coat of paint and nothing else. IMO

 

[JimS]

I’m in the market for a tracked dozer equipped with a winch to help manage my 60-acre property. My main tasks include:

• Winching logs up to trails
• Widening existing trails
• Repairing washouts and other ground work

Stability is a key concern for me as I’ll be working on varied terrain. Additionally, I need a machine that has a good supply of parts available to ensure long-term usability. My budget is under $15,000.

Recently, I found a 1958 JI Case 310 crawler for sale near me, which has launched me into the possibility of making my dream a reality. However, I’m worried about finding parts when something goes bad.

I’m brand new to owning equipment, so any general advice on parts and equipment vendors would also be greatly appreciated. For reference, I am located in Indiana.

I am a part-time woodworker and am investing in the equipment to harvest my own lumber for customer projects. Given these requirements, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or advice from those with experience in similar tasks. Specifically, I’m looking for:

1. Model Recommendations: Which models should I consider that fit my budget and needs?
2. Parts Availability: Are there specific models that have better parts availability, especially concerning older models like the 1958 JI Case 310?
3. Performance: Any insights on the performance of these models for logging and trail work?
4. General Advice: Tips for a novice equipment owner on parts, maintenance, and reliable vendors.

Your expertise and advice would be invaluable in helping me make an informed decision. Thank you in advance for your help!

A lot of good advice here.

I’d like to add that no matter what you decide make sure you have a rops to protect from falling objects and rollover. WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. Rops doesn’t work well without it.

May I also recommend that you consider renting or leasing. It’s unlikely that the dozer would be in constant use. Renting might be more efficient. You would get more modern easier to use safer piece of equipment and the write off on rentals is better than the depreciation on a 50 year old tractor.

 

[Mcrafty1]

Used dozers for <$15,000.00 that won't require another $15,000.00 to bring up to good trouble free usable condition are rarer then hens teeth. jmho.