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Need advice on purchase CAT 973 or 983?

CM1995

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I had the Cat house do our 953's UC last year and was around $25K - Cat parts with labor to install. FYI
 

DMiller

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963 is a Commercial production machine requires oversize equipment to even haul. It is doable but expensive, 953 is more nimble and easier maneuvered either in transport or use. If you need a Dozer for clearing and loader for spoil get Both, neither do the other's job very well. A 955K/L with a secondary D6 or D7 would be more functional than either a single 963 or 983 or a 953 by themselves.
 

CM1995

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Running what I brung and taking what I win
A 955K/L with a secondary D6 or D7 would be more functional than either a single 963 or 983 or a 953 by themselves.

I disagree unless you have 2 people to operate the 955 and D6/7. A lot can be done with a 953, I've seen myself do it.:D
 

DMiller

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Watched two old men years ago, one surveyed and set up sights, the two drove the haul equipment to site set up the D7(17A) and 955k first guy went to next site and second guy ran the dozer first cleared to piles, used 955k for close in work and when needed materials set to dump trucks. Was faster than a man strictly on either but had been doing it that way forever.
 

Cat977

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I still think a track loader for an all around machine is a good choice. If you want to wrestle some big trees, loaders can lift up high to push. Going downhill with a heavy machine can do some serious damage. But to put a tree just were you want it an excavator just can't be beat. But it isn't a good road maker. Now in the hills a dozer with a 6 way blade, (or the old manual angle blade) now that can make you some nice roads. But she only drags logs. Can't pick logs up or move other materials around. Sure is nice if you can have more than one machine when you have old ones like me. One can help you fix the other. I can tell you they don't make them as durable as they used to. Can you get parts? Can you refurbish the old ones? Do you have the smarts and the patience to find a good one. To me Cat made some real good ones.
 

Cat977

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If you went the 2 machine route (and there are many different routes) a D7 Like Dmiller's example is a big enough machine to push over a really good size tree. (Same frame I think as a 977 L or maybe K). Especially if you use a ripper on a backhoe to dig out any big roots. I am a hobbyist I like old machines. Like to run and work on them. I'm retired have time and "some" extra money. Like others have said if you want to, just go for it. Also, as you've been doing, and others have said. Ask questions, try some machines out. See if you can get some seat time helping someone out, for free. Go visit a land clearing project like yours over time to see how its done. Start to finish. Best words I heard too late. Don't touch your land till you've seen it trough all 4 seasons. Don't just rip into your land it took nature a long time to get it into what you have now. Don't think I'll never get a deal like this again. Leave a really low offer and keep looking and learning. Starting small is a good idea for most people. My first ever ride (after I test drove it) was a 1958 IH TD15 Drott loader for $4000. It worked out no big expenses no big risk. Rocky land. Hilly land. It was a big job pushing over a big oak with those triple grousers (Not enough traction could of used 2 bar). Wanted a bigger machine pretty soon, well a few years, ok many. I was lucky with that machine. Bought a small skid steer with metal tracks, that helped clean up the mess the big one made. Anyhow I wanted to put up a picture of old D7 angle blade. Got to be a hard baby to adjust I could loan you my little skid steer. Lol
It has hydraulic tilt I believe most came manual.

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bam1968

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IA
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Excavating Contractor
Just mount that blade on your 977 and turn it into a dozer. Sounds simple right? Well not so much but can be done, Would definitely want to narrow it up a little.
 

Cat977

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It would be a great project! But I'm a Shawn1958 and not so sure I have the time for that one!
 
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