Safest Small Dozer

[Trapper]

Hey Guys,

For some light to medium brush work and clearing is one brand or model safer than others? I am still trying to get the 650G deere but so far have not sealed a deal. I am referring to the one in my dozer help post. I would rather spend extra money and get a safe model for that type work considering my experience working with dozers. Thanks for all the help.


Best regards,

Trapper

 

[Ford LT-9000]

All dozers are the same if they rollover and you fall out your dead any way you slice it.

You buy a dozer that fits your needs some are more user friendly than others. With most new dozers they are easier to run compared to the oldies with the foot pedals, brakes and clutch levers.

If you go into it thinking you are going to have problems you will have problems.

Good luck

 

[Dickie]

....or you could get a dozer that's been well maintained by a reputable shop and perhaps has ROPS or FOPS. What is your worry in terms of safety? Things falling on you? Rolling over? I don't think one brand is any better than another in terms of safety. It's more likely to come down to machine condition and, let's face it, the operator. Certainly not attempting to validate the pessimism above, but going about your work with a 'safety only' attitude will do wonders. If it doesn't look/feel/sound safe, stop and correct.

 

[Steve Frazier]

Hi Trapper, welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums!!:drinkup

I see you've met our resident know it all, Captain Obvious. Take what he says with a grain of salt. My feelings are you are on the right track being concerned about safety.

In addition to what Dickie offers, I'd add get the right sized machine for the job. Accidents are more likely to happen when trying to attempt work with a smaller machine than is optimum, especially if you are unfamiliar with the work. For brush clearing you want to have a brush cage on the cab to prevent stray branches from causing injury.

 

[Deas Plant]

Safest small dozer.

Hi, Trapper.
I may be a little prejudiced but, for mine, the safest small dozer is a Cat D11R. LOL.

From what I've seen, there is not a lot to pick between the major brands of smaller machines in terms of safety. As Dickie said, it mostly comes down to the owner of the butt in the seat. Most machine accidents are due almost entirely to mechanical failure - - - - the 'loose nut' holding the controls. If you can eliminate that loose nut and stop the machine being directed to do dumb things, you have taken a LOT of the danger out of the game.

After that, a GOOD ROPS/FOPS is worth its weight in gold, in your case, good brush protection and having a machine that is adequate for the job are all big considerations. Machine condition and the TLC that is lavished upon it - - - or not - - - also play a large role in safety.

Hope this helps.

 

[Trapper]

I appreciate the informative posts. I am actually in the industrial safety business, and I am just making sure that I have done my research to increase my knowledge in regards to the equipment I am thinking about purchasing and operating.

Best regards,

Trapper

 

[guest]

Deere 650G is good a machine, I have a Case 850G similar size machine. I suggest sweeps, screens, and fire extinguisher. When pushing brush you get a lot of leaves and such build up and even though it's made of iron it will catch on fire and burn. I am one of those operators that likes to keep my machine neat and clean, but leaves and sticks get into places you can not readily get to. Since you are from the "South" I suggest A/C cab ground bees and hornets will make you leave your machine, plus sweeping brush can be a very dusty job. Work with the wind. and work at your own pace when you get in a hurry you usually screw up or tear up, but I am sorta laid back.

 

[surfer-joe]

The 650 Deere is a decent machine, as is the Cat D4. Not sure what the Komatsu model is in that size, never worked with one smaller than a D65. Full cab w/air conditioning will keep your operator safe and happy. I'd never run a dozer without a full cab again....with the air and all. But I'm an old fart and like my creature comforts.

As for rollover protection, the ROPS cab or just a ROPS will keep your boy fairly safe, provided he wears his seatbelt cinched up fairly tight. Here the cab has another advantage in that it does keep the bugs and branches out. Snakes too.

I don't think the southern part of the U.S. has a Valley Fever problem, but there may be other environmental concerns, besides dust and bugs. For example, at Stewartsville Dam in New Jersey, the intake/outflow trench was down in the rock. The rock was laced with veins of solid Asbestos. Operators would not work in that with out a full cab and new cab air filters twice a day. You may face some things like that too.

I'm kinda like Deas tho, a D11 or bigger dozer is barely big enough for land clearing far as I'm concerned.

Good Luck!

 

[stumpjumper83]

woods dozers...

If it were me, It would have to be something like a d5 or d6 with forestry package and cab, winch would not be a bad addition. I don't know if the older deere's will allow you to counter rotate the tracks, I know that the new cats can, that might be of some help when on slopes and tight conditions. I would shy away from komatsu's with the 2 post rops, might not protect you the best when your rolling down the slope.

 

[Trapper]

A D11 is just a bit outside the budget. Thanks for all the input guys.

Best regards,

Trapper

 

[Squizzy246B]

A D11 is just a bit outside the budget.
Trapper

Well just get one of these then:

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=1211

 

[Trapper]

I can afford that size

Trapper

 

[d6catd]

:usa hey guys whats up?! trapper an answer to your Q ive run alot of the cat and deere 550 and d4 and 5 machines quite a bit. depending on the thickness of your brush cleanup one of these machines will do just fine. i would probably suggest your get a newer model not nessesarily a brand new one but a newer one with hydro trans. alot easier operating wise and also you might look into slope boards for your fine tuning and small cleanup u can cut ur passes in half really handy to have well good luck man let us know what you decide
later guys
:usa

 

[Horse-trader01]

D31 Fan

Hey I don't really know what size machine you are looking for but from scanning the previous posts it seems you are in the market for a small to medium size machine. I have been running a late 80's Komatsu D31 with good results. The machine is tough, reliable and capable of doing a reasonable amount of work without gobbling up too much cash in operating costs.

:usa

 

[Countryboy]

Welcome to HEF Horse-trader01! :drinkup

 

[wdnewman]

A vote for Komatsu.

Three months ago I purchased a Komatsu D21P-7 specifically for clearing small brush, young trees, fence lines, and other debris on my farm. I have just passed the 100 hour mark, and I must say I am completely satisfied with this little dude. If I had more experience as an operator, and more money in my pocket, I would have gone for the D31 Komatsu, or a D3 cat, but just could not afford them. If you are not going to push trees larger than saplings (eight inchs or so across), then I would recommend the Komatsu D21. BUT be sure that it has a four post ROPS, a good iron roof (FOPS) and sweeps installed. Also joystick controls will make the whole operation a lot easier. Just my experience and two cents worth.

WD

 

[Bandit44]

What do you men think of the Deere 550H. I just started using one and am pleased with it, but then again I don't know squat about dozers.

Bandit44

 

[nffs06]

I have a 650J LGP with a forestry package. I use it for wildfire suppression, establishing firelines, land clearing, raking/piling and just about every other forestry related service. I am very pleased with the machine.

 

[Countryboy]

I have a 650J LGP with a forestry package. I use it for wildfire suppression, establishing firelines, land clearing, raking/piling and just about every other forestry related service. I am very pleased with the machine.

Well you know you're gonna hafta posts sme pictures now.