Buy American?

Don Shilling · Dec 25, 2020

I've always been a proponent of buying American products and try to practice this philosophy every day. With the current state of world affairs it is more important than ever that I continue this practice.
However, I researched for over two years on a replacement bulldozer for my farm with powershift or hydrostatic drive, 6 way blade, power controls, joy stick operation, non computer control, and still small enough that I could transport myself. The ONLY model than fit these specs was a Komatsu D21. I found a 1995 model last year, and after replacing the steering clutches, bottom rollers, and resealing the hyd cylinders, it is a remarkably efficient machine and a pleasure to operate. It's just a shame that Cat, Deere or any other American manufacturer couldn't produce such a machine as this.

JPV · Dec 25, 2020

I agree, that vintage of those size machines I thought the Dressers were the best, I didn't care for the Cats or John Deere small dozers until John Deere came out with the H series. Then Cat came out with the G series and I liked those are the best, still think they are better than the K.
But none of those fit your criteria, you found the best fit I think.

Tones · Dec 25, 2020

The thing is that CTL's have taken over that slot particularly with all the attachments that can be used..Mitsubishi, Hitachi and Takecuhi made that size dozer as well.

brianbulldozer · Dec 25, 2020

Case 450? A little heavier at 11,500. Used to be real popular around here.

Tones · Dec 25, 2020

Case 310g is the same size range as the Jap dozers. I operated one 40 years ago with power angle but no tilt and no powershift It was a PITA.

.RC. · Dec 25, 2020

Most big corporations being multinational make their stuff all over the world whereever is most cost and risk effective. Do any manufacturers like John Deere or Caterpillar make their small construction stuff in the US?

grandpa · Dec 25, 2020

In my opinion... Cat made great equipment until the foreign manufacturers wanted their slice of the pie. Cat then had to cheapen up their machines to compete. Look at the 70,s era Cats.... damn near bulletproof. I still buy American and local every chance I can. My moto is what you drive drives America!!!

catman13 · Dec 25, 2020

cat makes their small track hoes cats in Athens Georgia

mg2361 · Dec 26, 2020

.RC. said:
Do any manufacturers like John Deere or Caterpillar make their small construction stuff in the US?

Can't speak for CAT, but Deere builds most of their equipment for North America in the U.S. Even the Hitachi/Deere Excavators (most of them, not all) are "assembled" in North Carolina (components made in Japan). Larger engines in the U.S. and smaller engines in Mexico and specialty excavators (like for logging) are in Canada.

https://www.deere.com/assets/pdfs/common/our-company/about/jd-world-locations-8-27-20.pdf

Nige · Dec 26, 2020

I think if you're looking for a single-country manufacture of any piece of equipment sold these days by any of the major players then IMHO you're batting a loser. It may have whatever flag that makes you happy on the decal but various parts of it will be made everywhere.

Example: Brand new 45-ton Cat excavator assembled in China. Engine out of a plant in Texas, swing & final drives/hydraulic pumps out of Japan, undercarriage out of Belgium, most of the electronic components marked either Mexico or various European countries, etc, etc.

JD955SC · Dec 26, 2020

I have less trouble spotted on PDIs with stuff made overseas than out of a US production plant. In particular if it’s made in JA Pan it’s high quality gear and they are fanatical about QC

Welder Dave · Dec 26, 2020

Harleys are as about as American as you can get and use Mikuni carbs. from Japan and some other foreign components. I find it rather strange that although the US has a large contingent of top MX and enduro racers, all of the bikes are imports from Japan, Austria/India, Italy, etc. Most sport bikes are pretty much imports too.

Mother Deuce · Dec 27, 2020

JD955SC said:
I have less trouble spotted on PDIs with stuff made overseas than out of a US production plant. In particular if it’s made in JA Pan it’s high quality gear and they are fanatical about QC

I would like to argue that with you... but that would be ignoring the facts. QC is off the chain and the parts supply is good.

Don Shilling · Dec 27, 2020

It would be of great benefit to those of us handicapped with a lack of understanding of the use of initials if folks would spare the extra time and effort to actually spell out certain words. What the heck is PDI, QC, etc.

DB2 · Dec 27, 2020

PDI pre delivery inspection
QC quality control

Tones · Dec 27, 2020

Sadly after my experience buying a US made machine and being burned by it I have become very sceptical about anything coming from there. In the most part Chinese equipment is junk but is priced accordingly. The machine I had had a 2" twist in the frame, different size holes for the track drive motors, track that had been originally manufactured for a 4 ton dozer fitted a machine that weighed nearly 8 tons hydraulic pump that was never fit for purpose blew up at 1700 has, a $25000 fix and heaps more sh*t . And others around the world suffered the same failings I found out when it was all to late I should have reported it to the US Trade Commission.

PS The machine was manufactured in Woster Ohio

Mother Deuce · Dec 27, 2020

Don Shilling said:
It would be of great benefit to those of us handicapped with a lack of understanding of the use of initials if folks would spare the extra time and effort to actually spell out certain words. What the heck is PDI, QC, etc.

QC is Quality Control.

Puffie40 · Jan 7, 2021

Welder Dave said:
Harleys are as about as American as you can get and use Mikuni carbs. from Japan and some other foreign components. I find it rather strange that although the US has a large contingent of top MX and enduro racers, all of the bikes are imports from Japan, Austria/India, Italy, etc. Most sport bikes are pretty much imports too.

It's been like that since motorcycle racing took off in the 70s, and it is still dominated by the "big four" from Japan. Part of it is simply those countries have way more experience building motorcycles, and once a capital foundation is set up for motorsports R&D, they become unstoppable.

lantraxco · Jan 8, 2021

Tones said:
Sadly after my experience buying a US made machine and being burned by it I have become very sceptical about anything coming from there. In the most part Chinese equipment is junk but is priced accordingly. The machine I had had a 2" twist in the frame, different size holes for the track drive motors, track that had been originally manufactured for a 4 ton dozer fitted a machine that weighed nearly 8 tons hydraulic pump that was never fit for purpose blew up at 1700 has, a $25000 fix and heaps more sh*t . And others around the world suffered the same failings I found out when it was all to late I should have reported it to the US Trade Commission.

PS The machine was manufactured in Woster Ohio

What was it Tones? Rayco?

lantraxco · Jan 8, 2021

We have the people and the capability to build the best sh*t in the world. Greedy corporate management, the American penchant for tripping over dollars to save a dime of investment, ridiculous lawyers and ridiculous damage awards, liability laws and insurance, MOUNTAINS of regulations, emissions requirements, hiring requirements, and TAXES prevent it. Japan and other countries have always used government subsidies to help industries establish dominance over ours also.

P.S.: Almost forgot, unions that stopped representing the workers forever ago. The union is for the union.

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