Shopping for a Dozer

Hey. shopping for a dozer. I got about 13 acres of treeland to turn into pasture. Wondering what weight/power class i should be looking at to best handle trees under 2ft in diameter and ripping up all those roots. Thanks.

Welcome to the Forums! For 2' diameter trees I would suggest a track loader in the 953/963 size. You're in Houston so there are a bunch around. What's your budget? On a side note for 13 acres I'd hire it out if you don't have any other improvements beyond clearing to pasture.

Its not the only job. Got a lake to make elsewhere and some other general terraforming to do as i dont wish to bale hay on a slope. My biggest concern is roots and I should have been more clear about them. Some genius went and planted a willow tree grove so now i have to rip the top 18 inches of dirt up now so im not dealing with roots when i flip the dirt in 10 years. also budget is around 40k. looking for something pre emissions/computer. capable of doing maintenance/inframes myself.

D8k or a 7g is a great tractor for the work you mentioned if you’re looking for a larger machine they may be a bit over kill but they are within your budget. The D6H is a great machine if you can find one that is in good shape as well. The d6d is also tried and true tough bugger.

these look great. thanks.

I second a track loader. Versatile for a variety of different jobs. Can push higher up on large trees to bring them down. That said you need to be extra careful clearing trees and bush. Trees can be unpredictable and fall back on you.

What is your experience with running equipment? I ask because unless you have no experience or love learning new ways of doing things you may want to stick with what you are most familiar with. A D7/D8 will certainly handle the clearing. A 953/963 will also handle the clearing easily, burn less fuel, and leave a cleaner site if you know how to run it effectively and is generally cheaper to move than a larger dozer. The bigger dozer will move more dirt faster. A competent operator on a track loader will move a lot of dirt in short order as well, especially if you set up some slots and push like a dozer. Both machines come with compromises so if it'll be your only machine you may want to consider how it'll get used over it's total lifetime with you. -Will you want to load trucks? -Do you have or plan to buy other equipment? If so, what equipment and will it work together well with this purchase? -Will it stay on one property or will you want to move it around regularly?

CM1995 said: On a side note for 13 acres I'd hire it out if you don't have any other improvements beyond clearing to pasture. Click to expand... This^^^^^

Unless you know how to really check what ever it is your buying, you could end up with thousands of pounds of yard art or scrap. And still not getting the job done on the land. And not just with heavy equipment I just cant understand the huge prices for machinery that is such a gamble. Just watch some of the video's of old 70's 80's cats sitting in the woods or what ever, as well as some of the huge problems they can have, some expensive non obtainable parts etc. I just don't get it.

AMBMike said: What is your experience with running equipment? I ask because unless you have no experience or love learning new ways of doing things you may want to stick with what you are most familiar with. A D7/D8 will certainly handle the clearing. A 953/963 will also handle the clearing easily, burn less fuel, and leave a cleaner site if you know how to run it effectively and is generally cheaper to move than a larger dozer. The bigger dozer will move more dirt faster. A competent operator on a track loader will move a lot of dirt in short order as well, especially if you set up some slots and push like a dozer. Both machines come with compromises so if it'll be your only machine you may want to consider how it'll get used over it's total lifetime with you. -Will you want to load trucks? -Do you have or plan to buy other equipment? If so, what equipment and will it work together well with this purchase? -Will it stay on one property or will you want to move it around regularly? Click to expand... missed some replys. started with a kubota 114hp. def not enough. got a sweetheart deal on a 2000 Komatsu PC300LC. drug it out the pit it was it and got it up. did the inframe myself. worked for the jobs i needed it for but its not a field maker. need lateral force. i dont necessarily need the biggest. i just need enough to handle medium trees and thick root beds. ripper blades and root rakes are what im currently looking at. Per your questions, no loading. but if i do i got the pc300. and no movement. its a 75 acre lot thats about half developed. we'll get through more of it as time passes so i need a permanent addition to the roster.

chidog said: Unless you know how to really check what ever it is your buying, you could end up with thousands of pounds of yard art or scrap. And still not getting the job done on the land. And not just with heavy equipment I just cant understand the huge prices for machinery that is such a gamble. Just watch some of the video's of old 70's 80's cats sitting in the woods or what ever, as well as some of the huge problems they can have, some expensive non obtainable parts etc. I just don't get it. Click to expand... Yea ive been stressed by part hunting before. I was thinking 1995 as a absolute minimum year. Depending on the brand. CAT motors demand a premium but they bring it with the reman availability.

We cleared about 300 acres of the same stuff you speak of with a Case 850G several years back. It was a great dozer and gave very few problems. Easy to work on and operate. A nice one can be had for $30k if you shop around. We bought a D5N last year and like the slightly larger size but I can tell it will be more difficult and expensive to work on than the Case. I really liked the 850G.

sounds good. ill keep my shopping around that weight class. thanks.