Komatsu D21P-7

cmuncy · Nov 1, 2004

I am currently looking at a D21p-7 that has about 4000 hours on it, has fresh paint, wide tracks, and very little rust. Vintage looks to be 1994. Engine fires right up.

I plan on using this for underbrush clearing this winter leaving up anything over 4-5" diameter in pines and hardwood.

Looks like I can get it for around $13k. The big selling point is, I can probably turn this dozer around for what I paid for it once my clearing is done.

I had a quote for someone to clear my land for me and it came in at around $8k, so for essentially $5k, after everything is said and done, I'll have a dozer I could sell for at least $10k.

Anyone have any reasons why I shouldn't do this or things I should watch for? Pins and bushings look like they could go another 500+ hours before they need to be changed out. Sprockets and treads are in great shape.

Thanks all.

Chris

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Tigerotor77W · Nov 1, 2004

If you won't be using it for too long, why not just rent one? And are you sure it has enough power and capability to do the work you slate for it?

cmuncy · Nov 2, 2004

I would like to rent it, but I do not have the time do the clearing. My actions will need to be focus on getting the house built. Purchasing one, then being able to use it during free time ( haha whats that! ) makes life easier.

I have been looking at some 70 hp models but I believe that I might not havethe budget for that, ie.. a D31 or the like.

Tigerotor77W · Nov 2, 2004

Ah, I see... I'll let some of the maintenance-savvy people talk... :shuts up:

EddieWalker · Nov 2, 2004

I have no experience with that dozer, but did start out using a John Deere 450G, which I believe is closer to the D31.

I was amazed at how underpowered and light it was for clearing brush and saplings. It was a battle to get the smallest area cleaned up and moving brush piles was just about impossible except for only the smallest amount at a time.

I was renting it and decided to hold off to buy until I could afford something bigger. I'm not telling you what I did was the smartest move, but my Case 1550 is big enough to do the job, it's keeping it running that's killing me.

Those D21's range in price from $8,500 on up in my area. I don't know were Willis is, so my this might not mean anything to you.

You might want to call the guys in Pittsburgh who do all the undercairage work for everyone in north and east Texas. They have some deals sometimes and also know all the dealers.

Look under my post in the Parts/Repair discussions under losing my track, or something like that.

Good luck, there's nothing more fun to operate than a dozer!
Eddie

BarryinMN · Nov 2, 2004

I bought a JD 350 two years ago. It's a 5 ton machine same as a D21. It has cleared trails, leveled gravel, pulled stuff out of mud/snow Grubbed out boulders on 100% slopes. Snapped saplings off at ground level when hit @ -20F. Mine came with a 14' quik tach backhoe & a bunch of spare parts.

Deere AG dealer stocks parts for my dozer.

Total maintenance expense over 2 years is $550 for a injector pump rebuild.

It will keep you in cold beer & meat as friends & relatives somehow discover dozer work they need doing. Tractors do not exhibit this phenomena!

Larger dozers are faster but take a serious look at peripheral expenses: transit, trailers, tow vehicles, maintenance parts, etc.

A dead dozer makes for a very large doorstop in the barn.

Have fun pushing!

Other sources

ytmag.com > crawlers
acmog.org (I think) - cat antique crawlers

sweettractors · Nov 3, 2004

Does that machine have dry brakes and dry steering clutches. Someone told me you did not get wet until you went up to the 31 series?--What type pads does it have on it?--Ken Sweet

cmuncy · Nov 3, 2004

I believe you are correct Ken, but I don't know for sure. Like I said: The overall plan is to use it over winter and sell it in the spring.

I am going to try to rent it for a weekend to see if it will do what needs to be done. If agreed to and it does the job, then I'l lhave that rental applied towards the purchase price. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

sweettractors · Nov 3, 2004

I was informed by a commercial operator that dry steering clutches and dry brakes needed to be used very regular or they would lock up or start to drag. The 31 series has hydraulic and should be ok. I am new at this and trying to catch up on the learning curve, so I am subject to be corrected?--If I could resolve this issue, I would purchase a 21 myself. Maybe someone on the forum can enlighten us on how big a problem this really is over the long term on the 20 and 21 series?--Ken Sweet

Tractors4u · Nov 4, 2004

I have a D20 Komatsu. The D-20 has a wet main clutch and dry steering clutches. I have had mine since March of 2003 and plan on selling it once we get our house built and my property in the shape I want it. You mentioned renting this dozer to see if it works for you before you buy it. Do you have dozer experience? Are you good with a dozer? If you answered no to these questions you might be disappointed with the D21 after just one weekend. Running a dozer takes finesse and practice. Just because it is a dozer doesn't mean it will knock down everything in it's path and will push dirt at 8" in pass. Someone mentioned no being able to push debris but a little at a time. It takes practice. When I am pushing a big pile of dirt and I want to make a gradual turn I will tilt my blade ever so slightly and the dozer will turn without having to touch the sticks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif