Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Small Bulldozer

For many companies, buying a used bulldozer is an excellent way to get your hands on a piece of equipment and save a little cash at the same time. When purchased from trusted dealers, used bulldozers offer construction businesses excellent reliability and long-term performance. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing a used bulldozer.

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Knowing what to look for in a dozer can help you find the best used option for your business. In this guide, we'll explain how to buy a used dozer and provide tips for finding the best one for your applications.

Your first consideration when buying a used dozer should be the tasks you need it for. The bulldozer you need for a construction job is different than the one you'd use for demolition. You might need a dozer with a ripper to tear up the ground or one with a blade that can help you move heavy loads. Consider what the landscape of your work is like and what tasks you'll need your dozer to accomplish.

What Type of Bulldozer Will You Need?

Different dozer styles lend themselves to different jobs. The three primary types of bulldozers are:

• Crawler dozer: These dozers look somewhat like a tractor, and use tracks instead of wheels — these give it added traction on difficult surfaces. A crawler is good for heavy materials and working on any irregular landscapes.
• Wheel dozer: By using wheels instead of tracks, a wheel dozer is easier to maneuver and better on sensitive ground where you don't want to leave track marks or damage the surface.
• Mini dozer: This compact dozer provides more maneuverability, even with its tracks. It is faster and easier to handle. Plus, it offers versatility for an array of scenarios, making it good for residential or small-space landscaping.

What Kind of Attachments Will You Need?

So, what should you look for when buying a dozer? The type of blade you use will also need to change according to your project. You can use the following blades with most dozers, though different industries can have specialized blades with features unique to that environment:

• S-blade: This blade is the shortest option and lacks wings on the sides. It is best for tasks like back-filling, grading and ditching, due to its limited carrying abilities.
• U-blade: The U-blade is curved, with wings on the side to aid in pushing and material handling tasks. This shape helps keep materials in the blade when moving — It is also the largest blade.
• S-U blade: A combination of the two, the S-U blade is curved — but not as much as the U-blade — with smaller side wings. This shape makes it more versatile and great for pushing soil around, which is helpful for back-filling, crowning and ditching.
• Power-angle-tilt (PAT) blade: The PAT blade is incredibly versatile and helps with scraping, leveling, grading, land clearing and much more. It can move in nearly every direction to aid in maneuverability.
• Angle blade: This blade is good for moving material out of the way since it can form a sharp angle to the left or right. It does not have side wings and is also good for shaping, stumping and ditching.

As you start the process of buying a used dozer, you'll find a wide variety of options available — but, not all sellers are created equal. Generally, you can purchase a dozer from a private seller, an auction or a reputable dealer:

• Private sellers: When you buy from a private seller, they probably won't look out for your interests. Their primary goal is to sell you the dozer, so you have to be extra careful.
• Auctions: Buying from an auction is similar to buying from a private seller. Always check out the different components, do extensive research and bring along a trusted second opinion, like a technician. You'll also want to test drive it.
• Reputable dealer: Buying from a trusted dealer means you can obtain a warranty, extensive records and the knowledge that the seller wants you to be happy with your purchase.

Make sure you are able to get as much information on the bulldozer as possible, such as the hours of use, any repairs or part replacements and other necessary data. With the improvement of online shopping options, you can often find this data on the dealer website, along with photos.

Inspection is a vital part of picking a used dozer. It can alert you to problems the seller might not be aware of or is trying to hide. If you're not confident in your own ability to inspect a dozer appropriately, consider bringing along someone who can. Here are some indicators of what to look for when buying a used bulldozer:

• Excessive wear and signs of repair: While you should look over the whole dozer, pay special attention to damage or wear to the blade, the cutting edge and trunnion pins. You'll also want to keep an eye out for signs of welding and plate lines on the blade, which can signify repairs or refacing. Cracks, loose belts, leaks and rust are significant red flags.
• Undercarriage wear: The undercarriage of a dozer can lead to costly repairs or an expensive full replacement if it's on its way out. Inspect the undercarriage for excessive or uneven wear. Look for flattened bearings or worn trackpads.
• Hydraulics: Watch the hydraulics for signs of problems or leaks. Make sure they control easily and that the blade functions correctly.
• Hours: Hours are a significant indicator of use, but replacements of the undercarriage or engine can make them less influential. Use hours to gauge the lifespan and wear of the tool.
• Maintenance: Ask for an evaluation of the equipment, like maintenance records and machine history. This information can give you a much more comprehensive overview of the machine and allow you to judge how well it has been cared for.

Maintenance is critical to the life of a used dozer, both before and after you buy it, but perhaps more so in its later years. Be sure to keep up with preventative maintenance tasks, including:

• Regularly inspecting key components, including the undercarriage, belts, tracks and engine functionality.
• Changing the oil, fluids and filters.
• Greasing critical parts.
• Keeping hydraulic hoses, batteries and blades in good condition.

When you work with your local Cat® dealer for servicing and maintenance, you can even improve the resale value of your bulldozer with extensive records, original Cat parts and preventative maintenance. Maintenance can both extend the life of your dozer and improve its efficiency. Plus, you can prevent safety issues if you identify problems as soon as possible.

Cat dozers are built to last and are one of the most popular brands on the used market due to their longevity. We offer everything from as-is machines to Cat Certified Used equipment, which is low-hour, well-maintained and backed by a Cat warranty, so you can be confident in its performance.

Our representatives can help you find the best used dozer for your work, budget and business. Whatever the job, we can help you find a used Cat bulldozer that can get it done. Take a look at our dozer offerings today for more details.

Few machines are more iconic to a construction site than the hard-working, no-nonsense, dependable dirt-moving bulldozer. And, if you’re searching for a used dozer, you’ll quickly discover the market for used bulldozers often offers up a great inventory to choose from – but finding the right dozer for you can be easier said than done. 

To help with your search, we’ve put together this simple bulldozer buying guide to help you identify the perfect bulldozer for your business with simple tips on what to look for and what questions to ask yourself and the seller.

What size and type of bulldozer do I need?

Whether you’re searching for a used dozer to round out your fleet, you’re going to add a bulldozer to your team to amp up your offerings, or even if you’re after a replacement dozer for one you have, now is the time to ask yourself what types of jobs you’ll be doing with this new dozer.

Ensuring the dozer will appropriately match the general size of the work you do will lead to efficiencies in your work and help ensure you don’t have a dozer too big or too small for many of your jobs. Beyond size, you’ll also want to narrow your search to fit the appropriate blade type and to ensure any other attachments fit your size and type of work.

The size of your dozer will also affect how it’s transported from job site to job site, its ability to keep up with the demands of other equipment on the site, and how maneuverable it is on the site, so take a minute to layout how the dozer will work as a member of the team and not as a solo working unit. 

Learn more about bulldozer blades in our Bulldozer Blade Buying Guide.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Small Bulldozer.

Who makes the best bulldozers?

When it comes to determining what bulldozer manufacturer consistently makes the best bulldozers, often it’s a matter of personal preference – and disagreeing with a loyal customer base can be the equivalent to wearing the wrong cap to a baseball game. That being said some bulldozer manufacturers have developed a reputation in delivering consistently high-quality dozers.

Generally the top brands in bulldozers are considered to be:

• John Deere dozers
• Caterpillar dozers
• Komatsu dozers
• Dresser dozers

What year bulldozer should I buy?

When it comes to buying construction equipment, it generally goes that everyone likes new or nearly new except whomever is paying the bill. For a used bulldozer, you’ll want to balance price with how long you can expect to use the machine and make your investment back. 

You’ll also want to think smartly about the availability and cost of replacement parts. An older machine might be entering a market where replacement used parts have already gone onto other machines, but a too recent model might also suffer from a lack of inventory for replacement parts, especially given current worldwide shipping and inventory issues.

What bulldozer parts to inspect before buying a used dozer?

When you’re inspecting a bulldozer (in person or online), it’s important to take a close look at some of the important components on the machine. While not always a dealbreaker, knowing the conditions of these parts will help you evaluate the suitability of the dozer for your needs.

Attachments

The blade on the dozer should be of an appropriate style for your work (or plan on the cost to change). It’s also important to note that while a complex blade can add new dimensions to your work, it also introduces new points for wear and repair.

Beyond style, it’s important to look for welds or overwearing in the blade. A good weld can last, but it should be noted. And if cutting surfaces are worn thin, you’ll want to plan for improvements.

You’ll also want to examine the back of the machine and determine the condition of winches or rippers. 

Undercarriage

The undercarriage on a used bulldozer can often be one of the most costly areas to repair or replace so extra care should be taken to ensure it is suitable for your needs. In inspecting the undercarriage:

• Look for warped or overworn rollers and the same for the front idler.
• Check the teeth in the sprocket for heavy wear.
• Visually check the level of wear on the cleats as this is a clear indication of the remaining life of the track.

Cylinders, Hydraulic System Leaks, and Fluid Levels

Inspect the cylinders on the bulldozer, including the lift cylinder, tilt cylinder, any additional angle cylinders, and the ripper cylinder (if appropriate). In inspecting hydraulic parts:

• Watch for leaks in hydraulic lines.
• Check the chrome on cylinders and look for leaks around seals.
• Cylinders can often be rebuilt, but you should take this into account in your search.
• Examine the final drives for leaks in hydraulic connections and for leaks in gear oil.
• Check all fluid levels to ensure they’ve been properly maintained.
• While the current fluid level of the machine won’t always indicate the levels under which it was run, low levels during inspection often indicate a leak or a simple lack of maintenance before the inspection.
• Take a look at fluid for murkiness or darkness to spot signs of contamination.

The Cab and Electronics

The cab can be an often skipped point of evaluation, but given the advancements in cabs and technology, a good look at the cab can reveal needed repairs on the horizon. In inspecting the cab:

• Look at gauges and electronics to ensure they work.
• Watch for general wear and tear that indicates a part won’t last long.
• Notice any added tech features that are included and would be of use on your jobs.

How much should I pay for a used bulldozer?

Even before inspection, you might know if the dozer is right for you and your work, and after inspection you should be closer to determining if the dozer is priced right for you. Given increased demand, the used bulldozer market can be competitive and understanding what to pay can seem complex. To find the perfect dozer, you might need to do a little math.

Being able to spot issues on the dozer can help in your negotiations and often a dozer might be discounted due to easily fixable issues (or even worries that issues will develop). If you have time and resources, plan for the costs of parts and repairs and determine if a lower cost should be negotiated. If the machine will need work, you can always weigh the cost and time of that work to see if it is dwarfed by the savings in the machine.

What should I look for when buying a bulldozer online?

When you’re searching for a used bulldozer online, you should always consider the seller. A responsive seller with an established history is a good indication that they are committed to working with customers and delivering a good product. And you should never hesitate to ask for pictures (or even video) to ensure you both agree on the condition of the machine and its component parts.

Often the history of the machine — what it's done and how it's been taken care of — is written in the condition of the machine and its parts, and a reputable seller will be glad to show they’re accurately representing the machine.

Hopefully, these short dozer buying tips will help you in your search.

At H&R, we’re dedicated to a rigorous inspection and evaluation process and that starts the second we interact with a machine. For machines we resell, that inspection process helps us ensure our customers purchase a machine that will meet their needs.

The bulk of the heavy construction equipment we source at H&R is headed to salvage, but being thoughtful in how we analyze the dozers we buy helps ensure the parts we'll salvage are the parts our customers need.

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