Dozer questions

tift104 · Jan 28, 2014

I've been looking at upgrading our 550g dozer. Some of the research I've done on the 550's is this. The J series have a tendency to run hot especially if pulling a plow. Supposedly the K series addressed this issue but this machine is a little out of our price range right now.
What about the H series? I have not read anything nor have I heard anything on these machines. The machine will be used mostly for road maintenance, fire break plowing and pulling a 8 foot drum chopper.
What are some of the problem areas with the H's? Are they as simple to work on as the G's are? Or would I be better off to keep what I have because you know the ol saying if it ain't broke don't fix it?
What are you guys thoughts?

ShearHeadMS · Jan 28, 2014

For pulling a 8ft drum chopper I would go find a old D6c or D dozer. A 550 to me is kinda pushing it, not to mention those dozers are to good and expensive to beat the crap out of. You can snag a decent old D6 for around 20-30, and undercarriage parts are decently priced and you can get them anywhere. I normally don't get to run machines that small lol.

Industrial Toys · Jan 28, 2014

^^^I sure could use that BEAST for snow right about now! Maybe make the blade a little higher though!

DIRTROAD · Jan 28, 2014

You won't find a better machine than the "G" series. They are easy to work on and are without all the computers and electronics. I have run "H" and "J" also though. I would prefer the "J" over the "H" if money weren't a factor. Never had any problems with the "J" running hot either, but it was a 700J which is bigger. The biggest negative with the "H" is that power to the tracks is robbed when using the blade. They must have gotten that problem worked out with the "J" series because I haven't noticed it. Just don't get one of the new D5 Cats! They are weak and leave a lot to be desired.

ShearHeadMS · Jan 28, 2014

^^ I agree with dirt road, have a 450j and I love it, best dozer I have ever personally owned, and he's right stay away from the new smaller cats, we bought a D5K and only kept it for 2 months, sold it and bought a D5B, still better! Hahaha!

tift104 · Jan 28, 2014

Thanks for the responses guys. Since this machine will spend a majority of its life in the woods the fewer electronics the better. The local Forestry Commission had their 650J out working on a large burn project with us. Of course it had a enclosed cab and I was thinking how nice it would be to have one with a cab ourselves. But talking with them and a few other J owners they complained of the overheating issues being a major problem and 2 were having problems with one of the tracks locking up for some unknown reason which will make it interesting loading on a trailer. I was wondering if anyone else was having similar issues with the J since there seems to be several for sale close by us.
My drum chopper is a smaller one (only 36 inch drum) used for cleaning out light underbrush in between plantation pine rows so a 550 or 650 is an ideal size. I have not looked at the Cats yet because I don't have a dealer close by to get parts from. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Caterpillar machines in the same Hp generally a little heavier than Deere? Another question. Does anybody make a direct drive dozer any more or have they all gone to Hydrostatic?

ShearHeadMS · Jan 28, 2014

Most of them are power shift or hydro, old cats are power shift, power shift is almost as good as a old direct drive trans, they generate more heat than a direct drive. I use a direct drive D7E for smaller shearing jobs and drum chopping and plowing. It pulls way better than my other D7E power shift. But it will stall out if not caught in time or lugged to the extreme. To me hydros are better than anything you can get, no clutches, no extreme rebuilds that take 2 days. If your going to just stick with smaller dozers keep with a hydro for sure!