crawler tractors

[gilroy]

I'm looking for advise on buying an older used tractor in the 30hp range...specifically the pros and cons of a crawler compared to a standard one. I've heard how much trouble a track systems can be. Any comments on maintanence or repair costs for the drive systems or transmission problems in general. I live in a hilly/mountainous area where I figured the lower stability of a crawler would be safer. Also, I plan to equip it with a dozer/plow (for snow and driveway building) and a backhoe. It'll mainly be used for the developement of a homesite and other maintanence afterward. I'm currently looking at a John Deere 1010 crawler w/blade, but has worn rails and pads. How is the availability of parts? Thanks much.

 

[rrlund]

Is it gas or diesel? I overhauled a 1010 diesel a year ago and we had quite a time getting parts for the engine. I don't know about anything else on them. I have access to the JD parts catalogs online,but there's no parts listings available there for the 1010 crawler there.

 

[Anonymous-0]

In the older small crawler series forget the 1010 JD. They are very prone to minor breakdowns and you state track system needs repairs and what one is not in the year range of the 1010? If i was looking for one I would seriously be looking for an IHC T 340 with mounted Drott 4-1 Bucket/Blade /Loader. All small Crawlers in the years range of the 1010 will need some repairs. Are you equipped for Track work? If not look long and hard at any of them.Again I think the IHC T-340 of that era was one of if not the best. Have you considered a Bob-Cat ?

 

[Walt Davies]

Track repair can cost more than tractor is worth in good condition Older crawlers are for the rich to play with. Get a Case 580 and forget about all those crawlers. If you just have to have one though then get a Caterpillar they are built to last.
Walt

 

[old]

Bad tracks and roller are the down fall of a crawler. As far as the 1010 they had problems as did the 1010 tractors. If its dirt cheap maybe but thats the only way.
Hobby farm

 

[John730D]

Forget the small crawler idea unless you have lots of money and time. Get a skid steer. It will do almost everything a crawler will do and is quicker and more nimble. Attachments are easy to come by, or you can rent attachtments as needed. Resale will be easier also. Second choice would be a TLB. Dearler support is very important no matter what you decide.

 

[Anonymous-0]

isnt the ih 340 the same vintage as the 1010 ?

 

[JDemaris]

I agree that in many situations a skid-steer will outwork a crawler. But, not in all cases - and good skid-steers are expensive.

It depends on how you want to use the thing and also what your budget is. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Deere 1010 crawler if in good shape. 1010 crawler is a much better designed machine than a 1010 wheel tractor.
1010 shares many design features and parts with the later 350s. Engine parts are not always easy since most must come from Deere. Undercarriage parts are easy to get aftermarket. One possible big expense in the 1010 is if it has a hydraulic reverser. Same reverser was used for many years later into the 1980s and is pretty rugged. But . . . if it needs repair it can easily cost you many thousands.

Any crawler is going to be expensive if it needs undercarriage work. And, aftermarket undercarriage parts are becoming scarce for many older small crawlers. Deere and Cat are some of the few that parts will still be made for.
To the plus side though - if the undercarriage is in good shape - and you are a part-time user - it can last you a long, long time.

Go try to price some bottom rollers and sprockets for Deere 1010s, 350s, and then look around for IH crawler parts. You might be surprised by what is NOT available. Last I heard, Berco is dropping parts for most older machines except AC, Deere and Cat.

Depending on what you need, a 1010 can be fine. I come across them in good condition in the $4000 price range - but much depends on inside or outside blade, undercarriage, etc. Crawler-loaders tend to go the cheapest and dozers with 6-way blades bring the most. I've got a nice 1960 1010 crawler-loader with a rear ripper and I paid $2200 for it. That was a bargain however.

If you're planning on a backhoe also, you're better off to buy all at once.

By the way, one side-note. I live on the side of a mountain and do a lot of driving around with a wheeled-backhoe. It can be done, but takes planning and constant thinking. I often have to hang the hoe out to the high-side when driving across a side-hill - to act as a counterweight.
A crawler is a lot more stabil - but really tends to tear up grassy fields.

Also - about skid-steers. I have five wheeled backhoes here, and several crawler dozers and loaders. That being said, I had a real tight-job to do between two buildings and I borrowed my neighbor's 743 Bobcat with a front loader and hoe. Fantastic machine and very fuel efficient with the Kubota diesel. But - I got into a few messes with it. First - it has low ground clearance and when my fields got muddy, it kept bottoming out and getting stuck. Dry ground it was fine. Also - I took off the front loader bucket on the flattest piece of land I have - which I guess is not flat enough. I got in a mess. Once I took the front loader-bucket off, it kept popping wheelies and I could not drive to the hoe to install it. It took a lot of screwing around. Then later, I took the hoe off - again - on my flattest land - and the hoe fell over. I had a miserable time getting it back up (used my 1010 crawler-loader to do it). I admit, I wasn't used to the skid-steer- but I decided I'd newer buy one unless I lived on flatter land.

 

[JMS MN]

You can find used tracks for skidloaders for about a grand here- really makes a whole different machine out of it. Crawlers- the UC is the money pit. Slow going, but each one has their place. I have a dozer, backhoe, skidloader, FEL, and dirt scraper behind a wheeled tractor. Find plenty of uses for all of them, but the skiddie would be the last to go.

 

[37 chief]

If I were you I would look at a Cat D 4 There were a lot of them made, and parts are available. If you find one with fairly good under carrage it will last you for a long time. If you get one try to get one with a blade already on it. crawlers are high maintenance as far as the under carrage, but they get the job done. They are good for steep areas also. I have several crawlers I use for discing. Stan