Looking for first crawler / dozer, wanting something small

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:04 pm

Hello all,
I've been interested in crawlers for a while now and I finally have an excuse (albeit small) to get one. They seem to be extremely hard to come across here (other than a few MC's I've seen and something from the '20s without a blade), so I'm not sure I'll have a ton of choice, but I'd like to hear what some good options would be. I'll be selling a backhoe to get it (only 5-6k range), and want something pretty small so that it takes up as little room under cover as possible. Gas would be a plus, and I will need it to handle at least small / medium sized stumps without a ton of trouble. What models should I be looking for? What should I look out for on them?
Is it ever possible to get them with rubber track pads?

shinnery · Post by **shinnery** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:03 am

location, Location and LOCATION!!!

Post by **Lavoy** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:48 am

For a user, start at least with a 4 roller 40, and I would recommend 420 5 roller from a stability and power standpoint. 430 or 440 would be the same thing, I mean just not a 4 roller. As far as stump size, it depends on the type of tree and soil conditions. I have hooked on to some 3-5" stuff around here with one of the best 420's I ever had, and couldn't begin to get them out. Also tipped over some stuff 3 times that big, so it really varies. I don't know what you mean by a medium stump either, from what I am used to when I was younger, that to me is something foot across and bigger, so perception is a factor as well.
Rubber pads could be had, very unlikely to find them now, close to zero traction in many circumstances. There is a member here that converted a 420 to Mitsubishi rubber tracks, and that would be a better alternative.
Lavoy

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:26 am

Lavoy,
Thanks for the response!
I really know nothing about tracks. What is the main difference between a machine with 4 or 5 rollers? Obviously 1 roller, but functionality wise.
Good point. I'm used to pulling them out with a backhoe, so soil really isn't the biggest issue for me. I was thinking about 8-10", our biggest trees are maybe 15-18", but like you said, soil.
No rubber wouldn't be a huge deal. I was just thinking it could be nice to have for crossing driveways and such. Do most people just lay down some boards when they don't want to tear stuff up? I imagine the tracks can be fairly damaging.

Post by **Lavoy** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 1:51 pm

5 roller adds stability and flotation. Depending on the driveway, they may not really even make a mark if you cross with nothing.
Lavoy

DrLoch · Post by **DrLoch** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:00 pm

I see you are in Durham, our office is in Durham.

Lavoy is right about the 3-5 inch trees. If it's a gum tree with it's deep large tap root you aren't going to do it with a smaller dozer. Don't have enough weight and power. I have a 450C track loader with a 4 - 1 bucket. I've had some gum's trees that the tap root was larger in diameter than the stump I was grabbing to pull it out.

In those cases you are better off with the back hoe. Going around the tree to get the best angle to push or pull it out you are going to be tearing up a lot of ground, ask me how I know. I've been clearing my property in Mebane for almost 2 years now. I wish I had a back hoe so I wouldn't have to tear up areas that I've gotten cleared and cleaned up.

Some stumps will come right out while others won't budge...

Just passing on personal observations

Ray III · Post by **Ray III** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:41 pm

A $5,000 gas crawler is going to be a 420, 430, or 440. I would be sure it has a reverser to make operation easier and make sure the track clutches don't slip and the brakes are good. Do a little research on how to evaluate track wear because undercarriage work is expensive.

As said they are not the machine of choice for tree stumps, unless you can leave 4 or 5 feet of trunk to chain to the top to get some leverage. Otherwise you will be digging a good size hole. Some 440s had power angle tilt blades which would make it easier to dig with the corner of the blade. When I want a stump out I dig on 2 sides of it in a V shape until I am able to hook the blade under the root ball and lift it up and over and rip it off the roots on the other side.

Sometimes I cross the road with my 420 but I would put boards on a customer's driveway to avoid scratches.

vtjoe · Post by **vtjoe** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:37 am

back hoe is by far easier

DukeofDeere · Post by **DukeofDeere** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:24 am

Dynamite is a lot more fun!!

Duke

DrLoch · Post by **DrLoch** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:06 pm

DukeofDeere wrote:Dynamite is a lot more fun!!

Duke

LOL That never occurred to me....

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:05 pm

Boom!

DukeofDeere · Post by **DukeofDeere** » Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:36 pm

Stan Disbrow wrote:Boom!

"Which way did it go?"...

DrLoch · Post by **DrLoch** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:18 am

Hopefully not into the bed of your pickup truck

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:42 am

Hi,

Captain Murphy says that when blowing up a stump, no matter where you parked the truck, is where it will land....

Stan

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Thu Jan 29, 2015 11:20 am

I feel like what I'm getting as the general opinion is.... They aren't great for stumps.

That is just fine though. I mostly need it for pushing around some large piles of dirt, leveling an area, and making a small road.

Is there any noticeable difference between gas and diesel machines?

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Looking for first crawler / dozer, wanting something small

Looking for first crawler / dozer, wanting something small

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