What cat dozer good model?

[Trg WY]

Have a need for a cat with a dozer & root rake if possible to clear a 150 acres overgrown with Russian Olives, sage brush. I do have a hd7 on the hood cover but not sure. It hasn't run in over 12 years and they talked about it walking out of its tracks anyway. I figure to be money ahead if I get a used cat d6, d7, or even d8 that will do the job. All it has to do is probably 200 hours. I hope jdemaris chimes in with his recommendation. I got a budget up to 30K. Since I live in Wy, I'm sure there will have to be a delivery charge too. But hope to hear from others.

 

[ELD]

I dont know if you can find a good, used cat machine that size for 30K. Might get lucky, but you sure cant pick them up for that. Why not rent a machine?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Renting it would be good and cost a lot less then thirty grand....however i'm sure he could rebuild his machine for less then thirty grand too....just my two cents.....good luck man!

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a CAT D6 an older model. Built like a tank. When I ask about getting a dozer the old cat guys said it was like the old M Farmall run for ever and easy maintence. You can find a good one for about $10,000, go to 12000 if you have to, that would be with good rails and elec start.It is hard to find a good one but they are out there. You will always find something to do with a dozer. However when you are done you can sell it again, maybe even pickup some custom work, but this also applies to renting a machine if you are a good cat man.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You should be able to find a decent machine for $30,000 or even less. D6, D7 and D8's are all pretty good machines as far as I know. A D6 would be a little cheaper to operate than a D8 but a D8 will do more work. I've seen a couple of D7F's up here for under $30,000 in fairly decent shape with good undercarriages and also some D6C's. You might even find a D6D in that price range. Pay a Cat mechanic to check a machine over before buying. It is money well spent. A lot of brush rakes fit both D6's and D7's. Machinery trader could give you an idea of prices. Komatsu and other makes also have some good machines. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks for the replys. I did consider working on the old ones there already. However, distance and free time is a problem. Its around 250miles up there to Basin from where I am I think. My fil is 66 or so and although well intentioned (he claims it will be easy) I am more practical and know instead of messing around for months during this winter I would rather spend the time on the seat on one already running well. However to have another project here at my house would be something. How you guys get non running hd7's up on a gooseneck with 20# capacity? I used cats and ac crawlers as a kid but they all ran and easy to load off a rr tie loading dock to flat bed farm trucks. How when they ain't running, easy to pull or push up on the trailer? I have a mf285 wheel tractor, is that enough. I don't want anybody hurt. Tips? Thanks in advance. The one about having a cat mechanic check out the machine I find is a very good one. Machinery trader does have some temptations for me. Sorry for long post.

 

[Anonymous-0]

A 285 would pull a Cat but I'm not sure up a trailer. I pulled my 931B with a backhoe(22000#'s or so) a short ways with my 135. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

Stay away from D7F they were a transission tractor from 4 cyl to 6cyl have a lot of problems with trans and torque convertors a d7 G would be great but might push the 30 G budjet a D6 D should be easy to find a good one in that range. a D8 would be expnnseve to move as you have to remove the blade and would be larger then you need,