Skid loaders with dozer blades

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Anybody make use of these tracked skid steer loaders equippled with a PAT bulldozer blade?

How well do they work? Especially compared with the crawler/dozers we usually talk about around here.

I got word that Deere has 0% financing on compact construction equipment these days. That got me to looking at what they have nowadays. And I see these tracked skid steer loaders and dozer blade attachments.

Personally, I wonder about having the pivot point way up high vs to the low mounting I am used to.

Stan

[Jim B]

Good morning,

I have not run or seen a skid steer with a PAT (power angle tilt) blade. I do know there are some in the aftermarket, not sure what the OEMs might offer. Mcleran Industries is one that makes a PAT for skid steers.

From using a skid steer with a bucket, I would say a tracked skid steer with PAT blade would be good for some projects. Like a small crawler what you were doing, and the material might be key as to how well it would work. The tracked machines do ride better than the tire machines from what I have used them.

The actual blade pivot point is low, about center of the blade same as a dozer. If you were referring to where the loader arms pivot, I think that does give then a tendency to cause the front to rear up some, it will with a bucket under some conditions.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Yes, I was thinking where the loader arms pivot up high v the dozer blade frame pivot down low. Maybe a tendency to push up the front of the machine.

I looked at the Deere CCE site and see where they have a PAT dozer blade for these. And that is what got me to thinking about how that might work.

I see a 317 track loader at just under $71k and a DB84 dozer blade for $9k.

That puts it in the same price league as a few used JD450k units with 1000 hours (or so) for sale from a equipment rental place near me. So, not as much machine, but also not one that renters beat the snot out of, either. I always figure that the hours on a rental machine equals 5 times the hours on the meter. Maybe 10x....

It was the email from Deere informing me of 0% financing on their compact construction equipment that got me to looking into such things. I probably won't buy one, but then using Deere's money for free has an appeal.

It probably would not work all that much differently than the 420c did. It might even be comparable to the 350C. And, I don't have to overhaul anything as I would need to with an older machine. Although I do know those pretty well,

Stan

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

One thing that occurred to me yesterday afternoon is: the hydraulic cylinders. They would be backwards for a dozer. The small end would be what is pushing the blade down to dig.

Stan

[Jim B]

That is true, but if the small end of the cylinders will lift the front end of the machine when down pressure is applied, that is all that is needed. Once the front comes up, there is no pushing the blade down more.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

True. And, it probably does lift the front end. My tractor loaders do. It is the constant strain on the seals I was thinking of. Moreso than when used with the loader attachments.

Stan