Should I buy it?

[bradleydavidgood]

Hi,

I looked at this yesterday. I need something for a few months to level my sloped yard and create tiers. The yard is mostly shale and not much dirt.

The dozer has sat for two years. being told by trusted person that it worked fine before that.

Hydraulic fluid on dipstick looked clean new and full. Engine oil looked fine too. Rust looks surface only and nothing serious. Tracks look good.

Guy was talking $3,000.

I told him I need it running and everything working and he is getting his nephew mechanic to do that.

Here is the list I made:

Radiator leaking?
4 hyd hoses replaced
Fuel tank and injection pump cleaned
New v belt
Battery

Thanks!

 

[matthies]

Bad sign, the last guy almost lost his A$$ with that seat and you are next. LOL

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Bad sign, the last guy almost lost his A$$ with that seat and you are next. LOL

Ha!

First thing I thought of was that I get to buy a nice new seat with a nice back on it.

 

[used red MN]

The dozer has sat for two years. being told by trusted person that it worked fine before that.

Have you seen proof that the engine isn’t locked? Even though it has a rain cap IHs are known to let water leak down past the pipe threads where the exhaust pipe screws in the manifold. You likely know the result of such a thing.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

No, did you see what I wrote above, it's not running and I told him to get it running.

 

[47fivewindow]

My wallet got lighter just looking at the pictures.

 

[ss55]

No, did you see what I wrote above, it's not running and I told him to get it running.

Will the price double when/if he gets it running?

 

[used red MN]

No, did you see what I wrote above, it's not running and I told him to get it running.

I saw what you wrote, if you mean a trusted person said it operated properly 2 years ago. And maybe he could have told you that I checked the engine and it is still free. Setting outside if every moderate rain event runs lets a 1/4 cup or less into one cylinder it doesn’t take long to lock up an engine.
Probably not the most confusing in this thread at the moment but if you click the “reply” in whoever’s reply you want to address they will be quoted and then it will be for certain who you are addressing.

 

[560Dennis]

Rent a bob cat skid Steer .

 

[m16ty]

Just keep in mind, dozers can be a money pit.

Not saying don't buy it, but just know you are one major breakdown away from being big paperweight.

 

[Mrfred54]

Your choice, but I like to see old iron come back to life. If he gets it running, might be a good buy but the 166 diesel is very hard to find parts for, especially the fuel system. Hopefully the steering clutches are not froze up from sitting. It does have a good rear light

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Will the price double when/if he gets it running?

Not what I pay him, but I think if it runs and doesn't smoke, and all the levers do what they should, and I clean up the rust and paint it and anything else it needs, it will be worth 6-8k in my estimation, but I could be wrong.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Your choice, but I like to see old iron come back to life. If he gets it running, might be a good buy but the 166 diesel is very hard to find parts for, especially the fuel system. Hopefully the steering clutches are not froze up from sitting. It does have a good rear light

Thanks for the info. Do you know more about "very hard to find parts for"?

Does that mean they can be found? And new or you have to find a donor/used?

Also, Can the fuel system be replaced with something else modified to fit? I am a good mechanic and can modify things. Seems like you just have to pump diesel into the thing at a certain rate right?

Thanks!

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Just keep in mind, dozers can be a money pit.

Not saying don't buy it, but just know you are one major breakdown away from being big paperweight.

OK yes, that's why I'm asking and took pictures of the major components. Seems to me like the tracks are good and if the hydraulics work and don't leak it would last a while. Are there specifics I can examine before making the decision? What usually breaks and costs a lot of money or can't be fixed? I am decent at mechanics and modifications and could do retrofits.

And it would be fun for me and I'd document it on my youtube channel for others to find and keep these old classics alive if possible.

And even if I could run it for a few months and move some dirt and clean it up and have some fun it seems like that would be worth the 3k right there compared to a rental since we want it hear all the time so that I can just take an hour or 3 hours to do some work when I have time in between other stuff, which is how it is for me.

 

[Mrfred54]

Thanks for the info. Do you know more about "very hard to find parts for"?

Does that mean they can be found? And new or you have to find a donor/used?

Also, Can the fuel system be replaced with something else modified to fit? I am a good mechanic and can modify things. Seems like you just have to pump diesel into the thing at a certain rate right?

Thanks!

166 diesel is kind of a rare bird. Not that many produced which makes parts hard to come by.

 

[CraigWis]

Crawlers can be a Money Pit. Check the Track Pins see how much ware they have. Check rear drive socket is it nice and round or is it Egg shaped
Make sure it runs good, Steering Brakes work good, No noises in Transmission. Around here I wouldn't pay more the $6500 for it if it ALL CHECKS OUT GOOD. It is a 63-65 year old Dozer