Looking at buying a dozer.

STERLING351 · Aug 6, 2019

Hey guys I recently acquired another 42 acres here in Texas. The land is about 38 acres of mesquite trees. The trees are anywhere from 1in to 24in in diameter, I am looking for a dozer to clear most of the 1-12in trees. Locally people want anywhere from $900 to $1200 a day for dozer work plus cost of transport. I have found a few dozers in my area for $8000-12000 range which I am interested in buying to clear the land and eventually resell. The two "dozers" that have caught my eye in the price range that arent beat to **** will loose tracks and covered in rust are a John Deere 350B with a 6-way blade and the other is a Komatsu 31s (Its a track loader with a dozer blade). The Komatsu has 25hp more than the JD and weighs about 4000 pounds more. Do you think either of these would be a good choice? Once again i know running a dozer can cost some big $$$ which is why im looking to only own it for a few months.

Industrial Toys · Aug 6, 2019

I always wanted a little 450 Deere, but that will never happen. You scratch the surface here with so many rocks and you have a big mess to clean up.

The 350 seems too light and is just a Trim Dozer. Not sure if I wouldn't say that of a 450 either. In any event, I would go for the later series with WET clutches. I don't think that happened yet in the "B".

I have a friend with hundreds of pieces of (old) equipment. He like most, likes his old Jap equipment. If I was smart, I would get a Jap dozer over JD, but I have a thing for the JDs. I would ABSOLUTELY, NEVER consider buying a dozer without an absolute and total authority on the subject, accompanying me. Moot point anyway.

Citydude · Aug 6, 2019

More weight would be my preference but I don't know how hard mesquite trees are to push over.

STERLING351 said:
Hey guys I recently acquired another 42 acres here in Texas. The land is about 38 acres of mesquite trees. The trees are anywhere from 1in to 24in in diameter, I am looking for a dozer to clear most of the 1-12in trees. Locally people want anywhere from $900 to $1200 a day for dozer work plus cost of transport. I have found a few dozers in my area for $8000-12000 range which I am interested in buying to clear the land and eventually resell. The two "dozers" that have caught my eye in the price range that arent beat to **** will loose tracks and covered in rust are a John Deere 350B with a 6-way blade and the other is a Komatsu 31s (Its a track loader with a dozer blade). The Komatsu has 25hp more than the JD and weighs about 4000 pounds more. Do you think either of these would be a good choice? Once again i know running a dozer can cost some big $$$ which is why im looking to only own it for a few months.

fried1765 · Aug 6, 2019

Citydude said:
More weight would be my preference but I don't know how hard mesquite trees are to push over.

Why not buy a used excavator with a thumb, and pull the mesquite out?

fried1765 · Aug 6, 2019

Citydude said:
More weight would be my preference but I don't know how hard mesquite trees are to push over.

Why not buy a used excavator with a thumb, and dig/pull the mesquite out?

STERLING351 · Aug 6, 2019

fried1765 said:
Why not buy a used excavator with a thumb, and dig/pull the mesquite out?

I looked into that and most around here are far outside my price range. I forgot to mention my ground is sandy clay mix but mostly sand for the first 8 inches.

Sawyer Rob · Aug 6, 2019

When you see how much money it WILL cost YOU to keep a cheep older dozer running/working, you will think the "hire it done" price was a bargain!!

No matter, a 350 is too small anyway...

SR

STERLING351 · Aug 6, 2019

Sawyer Rob said:
When you see how much money it WILL cost YOU to keep a cheep older dozer running/working, you will think the "hire it done" price was a bargain!!

No matter, a 350 is too small anyway...

SR

How much do you think it would cost to pay someone to clear 42 acres? And buying a used dozer i do not believe is always a money pit, my father has a older case 1150 and the only think that has required repair was a fuel pump. I think it comes down to how well it was cared for by previous owners. Like i said i was looking at dozers that wernt beat to ****.

hslogger · Aug 6, 2019

A 350 B John Deere is inferior to a 350 C which is a nicer machine with wet clutches. These are OLD, man. It is a nice lil' pooper cat and you can get a lot done but it is kind of a toy cat. I would investigate an owner operator and get references and bids. Working on old beater cats is not fun unless you are died in the wool gear head with plenty of time on your hands.