Komatsu Dozer opinions wanted

[pintodirt]

I am planning to buy a small crawler dozer to do some light clearing and grading.
I have seen several small Komatsu machines dozers models D20 and D21.
My questions are;
1. Are these good solid machines?
2. Are manuals and replacement parts readily available?
3. What should I look at before buying one of these machines?
4. What is the durability of these machines compared to something like a John Deere or Case model 350?

 

[MFRED]

Chance are those machines are "grey market". Meaning they were'nt meant to be shipped to the US. Be scared? That's up to you. I plan on buying one when I sell my old Deere dozer. Not on the Komatsu dozers secifically, but I've heard horror stories about getting parts for grey market stuff. For a guy thats up to a little challenge & has some mechanicing skills, I don't see the problem. Parts are parts in my book. If the machine got made, there's parts for it somewhere. As with any dozer, it could drive you in the ground with repair bills.

 

[Wheatland KB]

My Dad ran a Komatsu D31A for years.

He never had a problem getting parts. It was a very strong machine and I for ond hated to see it go but alas Dad moved off the farm and had no need (or room) for a dozer in the city.

 

[backdoor]

I drove a D18 I think it was, for a while, it was a very good, simple machine. Plenty of power and operator comfort. I drove a D31 a little and it surprised me at the power it had. Both tractors had 6 way blades. The man who I use for loader and dozer work around here has a couple of their loaders, and he says he doesn't want a CAT again. Komatsu is a big seller around here, and a popular brand. As far as I know, parts are no problem to get. Find the closest dealer, talk to him, he should be in the phone book. I usually see CAT or Komatsu dozers around here, not many Deere, Case, or others. One other thought-bigger is better.

 

[DmansPadge]

I am planning to buy a small crawler dozer to do some light clearing and grading.
I have seen several small Komatsu machines dozers models D20 and D21.
My questions are;
1. Are these good solid machines?
2. Are manuals and replacement parts readily available?
3. What should I look at before buying one of these machines?
4. What is the durability of these machines compared to something like a John Deere or Case model 350?

If you look in the "Construction Equipment" forum you'll find a bunch of lengthy posts about the D20/D21s. There are several guys over there that have them and have posted tons of info on them.

 

[cmuncy]

I am planning to buy a small crawler dozer to do some light clearing and grading.
I have seen several small Komatsu machines dozers models D20 and D21.
My questions are;
1. Are these good solid machines?
2. Are manuals and replacement parts readily available?
3. What should I look at before buying one of these machines?
4. What is the durability of these machines compared to something like a John Deere or Case model 350?

1. I loved my D21 p6 that I had. Even my wife had a ball using it.
2. There are 3rd party sites that will sell you ALL of the service manuals for it.
3. drive train: pins, rollers, drive gears, tracks.
4. Not a clue.

The D21 was very easy to work on, even when it through a track. I bought mine to clear a few acres and sold it later for what I paid for it.

This isn't a gray market tracker. Parts are redily available for it online and at heavy equipment shops.

Just remember: If somethings breaks, be prepared to either fix it yourself or pay someone $$$ to do it. This isn't the same as working on a 20 to 30 hp tractor.

 

[xr_guys]

I currently own a 1994 Komatsu D20A-7E, so far this little guy are doing just everything I致e asked for, except pushing some huge tree. Otherwise the simplicity of the machine helps me do most of the maintenance. So far maintenance wise mostly fluid changes and track adjustment including the clutch brake. With over 2500 hrs this thing have cleared 4 acres and counting more. Regarding parts, it is very much available thru your local Komatsu dealer and they have no problem supporting it, you can even register your machine so that you can have access to their data base directly for parts availability and picture diagrams. When I was shopping for this model, I致e seen them with over 4000hrs and still good. The key is to find one with very recent Sprocket and Pin replaced, don稚 look for low hours since more likely be needing it and to much hours will be to worn out also. Looks like between 2000 to 3000 is when they require replacement. Also estimate the hours your planning to add on top of the original hours, to estimate more so what maintenance the buyer will need, otherwise they will negotiate to bring the price down. If I would do it again, may be I would look for the version that has 4 in 1 bucket, rather than just straight dozer. I paid $13500.00, otherwise, i'm really happy not to mention they consumed verry little deisel, i think, my Kubota 1.0 litter deisel tractor used more than the dozer, this is a wise investment i think, just for the value i've added into my property.

XR

 

[torker]

I've ran a lot of Komatsu dozers... D31,53, 60 and 65's.
All on a steady diet of BC mountain rock....all skidding as much wood a day as was possible or pushing trail thru the boney ground.
I prefer Cat but the Komatsu was just as tough...just not as nice to operate.
Never ran a little one like that but if it's like the older ones it should be a good machine.
Russ

 

[rutwad]

Komatsu has a strong market around here and I would not hesitate to buy one. I have no specific comparison of similar sized machines doing similiar tasks, but my friend has used a D31 and D61 (maybe D65?) with no issues.

Good luck with your decision.