JD450E Inspection for buyer?

edkemper · Jul 19, 2015

I'm looking at a 1989 JD450E to buy from a neighbor friend. I need it to clear my land. It'd be a reasonable size for a private owner that already has a Case 580K backhoe and a JD210LE landscape loader/box scraper. What I need to know is a procedure or checklist for inspecting a heavy track vehicle like a dozer.

Runs well and is available for $6000 from my neighbor. He has two D6's and doesn't need to just let the 450 sit around and create rust.

moriboy · Jul 20, 2015

Unless that dozer is completely worn out (beyond repair) then $6K is a great deal on that machine. The 450C,D,E models were generally very durable and had enough power to do a good bit of work for their size. The big things to check are the transmission, undercarriage, and engine. I suggest heading over to one of the heavy equipment forums and do a bit of reading about buying used dozers. FYI- I just bought this one last week. It took me a year to find the one I wanted. Good luck!

edkemper · Jul 21, 2015

It's mine. I bought it from my new neighbor (known for a couple of years now) who is a life long logger and has the 450, a D6 and D7. He intimately knows the 450 and will be there anytime I need help or how to repair it. He's done quite a bit of work on it over the last 10 years. I'm very comfortable with what I got and from whom.

moriboy · Jul 22, 2015

Congrats, you did good from the sounds of it. It's always nice to buy equipment that has a known history. Post a pic or two when you get a chance.

edkemper · Jul 22, 2015

Can't wait to cut a parking lot for the equipment and working toys I've acquired. Park them next to each other and take a picture of the stable. What I am starting to see is that I think I have a problem. I have acquired far to many toys. Useful as they all are, I still have a stable full of things to make my life more modern and easier. From Dozer to portable bandsaw log mill. I've been getting rid of useless things I've collected over the years and been collecting more big boy toys along the way.

Just driving the new dozer from where it's parked to where I will be parking it shouldn't take more than an hour or so. Can't wait to slam it in high range and high gear and let the wind and dust cloud blow through my thinning hair getting it to my property. It's parked at FIL's house a mile or so away on a dirt road. I hope I don't get caught in any speed traps along the way home.

moriboy · Jul 23, 2015

I feel the same way! Getting home after work and playing on my toys keeps me sane. When you get a chance, post a couple of pics of that 450E. The 80's era JD dozers were just great looking machines. FYI- I almost bought a 550A that is for sale in Medford. It's a sweet machine but the guy just wanted too much money for it.

edkemper said:
Can't wait to cut a parking lot for the equipment and working toys I've acquired. Park them next to each other and take a picture of the stable. What I am starting to see is that I think I have a problem. I have acquired far to many toys. Useful as they all are, I still have a stable full of things to make my life more modern and easier. From Dozer to portable bandsaw log mill. I've been getting rid of useless things I've collected over the years and been collecting more big boy toys along the way.

Just driving the new dozer from where it's parked to where I will be parking it shouldn't take more than an hour or so. Can't wait to slam it in high range and high gear and let the wind and dust cloud blow through my thinning hair getting it to my property. It's parked at FIL's house a mile or so away on a dirt road. I hope I don't get caught in any speed traps along the way home.