JOHN DEERE 450 VS INTERNATIONAL TD7C

[BIGCAT]

I need input on which would be the choice for use on clearing a 19 acre ranch and building trails. The land is hilly and is red clay The TD-7C has a hydraulic 6 way blade for around $10,000 and the 1967 John Deere has a hydraulic blade with 4 way mechanical angle and tilt for around $5000. Which would be easier and cheaper to repair? I would be thankful any input you could give me. I have a TD-6 that I need to replace the rear seal in when I get a replacement dozer. Thanks

[country53]

My 2 cents worth. Pounds,horsepower,and traction determines how much it will push. Internationals were good machines but getting parts for an international is difficult. A John Deere is also a good machine and they're still in business and still sell parts.

[Tigerhaze]

First, I don't know much about Internation parts availability, JD has most parts you would need available but they cost an arm and a leg over other brands such as Case. I had heard that but found that out myself quickly after I bought my 2010. I often go to my Case dealer and local hydraulic shop for non-specialized parts such as hydraulic hoses over the Deere parts.

I don't know the size and type of trees you have and how many you have to clear to build your trails. My answer on a machine would depend on that.

However I would venture to say that maybe your best bet is to rent a machine to get the main work done. It may seem like a lot of money up front but then you would have a newer machine and not be responsible for repairs. Depending on the tree size and number, a hydraulic excavator with thumb may be the easier way to clear trees and then follow up with a small dozer for trail building.

I am currently putting in a house in the timber and I went both routes. I rented a mid-size CAT crawler loader to do the major earthwork and tree clearing and then followed up by purchasing an older small JD crawler loader (2010) for fine tuning along with my tractor and blade. I have cut grade for my roads using this setup and it is working great. I wouldn't have been able to drop the larger trees without the larger CAT machine.

[BIGCAT]

Thanks for the reply. The trees are at the most 8". I should of said that the main reason for buying a bulldozer is for the enjoyment of operating the bulldozer. The TD6 is just too tired to use until I get a chance to rebuild it. Thanks

[digitup]

The TD7C is pound for pound the same machine as the Deere 450 except for the drive the TD7c is torque converted /power shift and 56HP.The 450 Deere is direct drive and 4 speed collar shift with power shift in hi/low/rev and 57 HP but just a shade lighter build than the Harvester unit .You will find that the TD7 C is well balanced not saying that the Deere is not balanced .Do not compare these dozers to a Case of bolts.The International dozers were all well balanced traction units .Now finding parts is harder for the TD 7C for sure but still not that hard .Check to see if it is a 401 or a 441 series TD7C the 441with a D206 cid engine were the better of the two units . We ran a few of the Harvester/ Dresser units over the years usually TD8s but we did have several TD7C in 441 series . With the six way on the TD7c only I would look that way if the 450 was not so cheap [The price is sure right on that 450 ] . Digitup.

[dlplost]

I would go with the IH. Some parts for them ARE hard to find, but can be found, at about 1/4 the price of the JD parts. Good place to get more opinions is the Redpowermagazine construction equipment forums. You'll find some of the guys there have or have operated both machines at one time or another.