Worth trading up from 350c to 400 or 450 ?

[sullyt28]

Have this 350c good machine just wondering if I'm gaining much by going to a 400g or 450 ? I need to keep under 14000lbs so I can float it. It will be a 5 to 8k investment. Just worried I might be disappointed with little gain or whether I'll be happy with the extra hp and ability of the machine. Would a step up to a 400 worth even considering ? Appreciate any feedback. Use machine for some custom trim work.

[cantbeatadeere]

I don't think you will find a 450 under 15,000lbs...400g is a whole other animal compared to the 350 with the weight being on the edge of your limit...350 is a great dozer and does a lot of work for what they are. 400 will put one to shame though, 20 extra horse is a lot.

[sullyt28]

Research I had done had the 400g at 12~13k lbs and a 450 at 14500 at least a 450c not sure about a G or H. It sounds like it would be worth trading up. The 350c had exceeded my expectations just find I'm running it hard at times trade up while it's still in good condition.

[NWJD fan]

My 450C pushes stumps and piles pretty effortlessly that would be a real workout for my straight 350. The 350 can be moved on a 14000 gvw dual axle trailer with a 1 ton pickup while a 450 will need a tridem or tandem dually trailer set up and a more substantial truck. And from the sounds of things a 550 will do much more than a 450, all depends on what you need or want to do most of the time.

[sullyt28]

I pull my 350 with a 7 ton float f250 without any issue 400g would still be fine to go to 450 I'll need a better set up 10 ton float. I have the licensing to do it a 450g would be pushing it. Looking for some feedback as to who has operated and trailered all 3 of these machines to see if it's worth investment to go to a 450. Kinda leaning towards the 400 to avoid getting a bigger float.

[NWJD fan]

One consideration for down the road might be how parts specific the 400 series are. I personally have only seen one out west and heard of a couple more in 20 some years I have been paying attention to small crawlers. Is there anything specific to the 400 that might be difficult to procure?
Someone also posted on here (may have been Ken P or jdemaris) commenting that the 400 had a reputation for not being that good at putting the extra power to the ground and as maybe being more prone to tearing itself up due to 20 extra hp going through a more or less 350 drive train.

[sullyt28]

It would be nice to know if the undercarriage and blade are the same if so I'm not gaining anything. Heard as well they were overpowered for size ie. spin a lot. My undercarriage about 90% to trade up with a 400 machine with shoes half worn would probably move less dirt.