There are quite a few important factors to consider when buying a dozer. Cost is a big one, as prices can range from between $5,000 for a small, used dozer to well over a million dollars for a large, new one. But you also need to think about size, blade type and capacity, crawler vs. wheel models, and much more. The following tips will help you focus on what to look for in a new or used dozer.
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Dozer sizes vary depending on the manufacturer, many of whom use their own category descriptors, like Caterpillar&#;s &#;small,&#; &#;medium,&#; and &#;large&#; categories. Size will determine how much ground the machine can cover, how large of a blade it can support, and how much earth it can move in a single pass. It&#;s important to keep jobsite dimensions and terrain into account when comparing models to decide whether you need a smaller, more agile dozer or a large one capable of taking on the biggest commercial projects.
As an example, Cat&#;s smallest dozer is the D3K2 Tier 4 Final, which has a maximum operating weight of 17,465 pounds (7,922 kilograms), while its largest is the D11T with its maximum operating weight of 235,453 pounds (106,800 kilograms). Cat&#;s D6N is an example of a medium dozer, which has a maximum operating weight of 36,943 pounds (16,757 kilograms). John Deere, on the other hand, offers a weight range of between 17,510 pounds (7,942.4kilograms) with the 450K and the 95,000 pounds (43,091 kilograms) with the K, both of which are crawler dozers.
The three most common blade types are &#;S&#; for straight, &#;U&#; for universal, and &#;SU&#; for semi-U. Straight blades are well-suited for grading or clearing away debris on a worksite. U blades are named for their wide U shape, often with end plates (or wings) on each side to better corral dirt, snow, sand, and other materials. SU blades offer a middle ground; they don&#;t have as defined of a curve, but still have end plates in place to help keep materials in front of the dozer. Some manufacturers also sell application-specific blades, like Cat&#;s landfill and coal blades.
The width of the blade, and the presence or absence of end plates, determines its capacity. Dozer blade widths often fall into the 100-inch (2.54-meter) to 300-inch (7.62-meter) range with capacities of between two cubic yards (1.53 cubic meters) and 60 cubic yards (45.8 cubic meters). There are blades that exceed those limits, however, like Cat&#;s Woodchip U blade with its 95-cubic-yard (72.6-cubic-meter) capacity.
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Engine power and style will vary as much as blade size, with a typical range of between 80 horsepower (60 kilowatts) and 900 horsepower (671 kilowatts). Many diesel dozer engines today are designed to meet the EPA&#;s Tier 4 Final emissions standards, which means they use exhaust aftertreatment systems with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. This will help those working in regulated industries get the power they need while reducing their operations&#; negative environmental impact.
The primary distinction between crawler and wheel dozers involves weight distribution and compaction. Wheel dozers distribute weight between the four tires, which can put a lot of pressure on the ground where the wheels touch. Crawler dozers distribute weight over the entire length and width of the tracks, which results in less pressure on the ground. This impacts the type of terrain the machines are best suited for as well, with wheeled models working well on paved or well compacted surfaces and crawlers being a fit for gravel, clay, and soggy or uneven ground. Speed is also a factor as wheel dozers are typically faster than crawler models.
Many dozer manufacturers offer telematics, monitoring, automation, and other advanced technologies to complement their machines. Caterpillar, for instance, offers a suite of services and solutions called Cat Connect that gives operators and fleet managers the tools they need to monitor the health of dozers and other construction equipment, track them, and improve productivity with the help of operator assistance technologies. A specific example is Cat Grade for Dozers, which takes the guesswork out of grading by partially automating the process for improved accuracy and fewer passes. John Deere offers a similar solution with its SmartGrade integrated grade control technology.
Buying new has its advantages; as the original owner, you can customize the machine to your exact specifications, and you get access to all the latest technologies, not to mention peace of mind in the form of a manufacturer&#;s warranty. However, you&#;ll typically pay a premium for these things. Buying used can save you money in the short-term, but requires due diligence up front to prevent facing issues in the long term.
With used dozers, perform a thorough inspection to make sure everything is in good condition and proper working order, which includes checking the undercarriage for damage and leaks. Take the machine on a test drive, if possible. Request maintenance and repair records to find out if the machine is well maintained or has had any glaring issues in its past. Be aware of operator hours to ensure you don&#;t get an overworked machine, and check to see if it&#;s still under warranty. Most important of all, work with a reputable seller that will provide you with as much information as you need to make a well-informed decision.
You&#;ll find thousands of new and used dozers, including crawler and wheel models from manufacturers like Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, and CASE, for sale every day on MachineryTrader.com.
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