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Want to upgrade: D6N to D6T, concerns.

jaclo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
108
Location
Midwest
Just here seeking some input for those interested in providing it.

I bought a d6N a few years ago. Came with Trimble setup. We've put about 1000 hours on it and it's been a great little tractor. It's an early 2006 model. The damn thing isn't too heavy or too light, cuts within .1", and I haven't had any major issues. It's been a cost effective investment.

My worry is that it has just hit 11000 hours. My mindset is that it is never going to be in as good of condition as it is right now. If I have a drivetrain failure, it's going to cost me 30k faster than I can pick the phone up and call my cat dealer. There is a little play in the dozer tilt but the guidance has been able to make up for that.

I found a D6T, with a ripper, for sale not 2 hours away with 3500 hours. My GPS system would bolt right on it, it has a new undercarriage, and has been babied. It's hard to believe it's original paint. (2014 model) Beautiful machine. I even took the old men (yes, men, father and grandfather!) to check it out. They couldn't find anything to complain about either.

My main issue, is that it's ten tons heavier. We can get into places where that light D6 is just so forgiving. Not to mention the visibility through the sides of the engine compartment isn't near as good on the T.

I was just hoping to possibly hear from someone that has upgraded from an N to a T and what your experiences have been. The price is right on the T, and I wouldnt mind getting out from under my N while it's still a reasonably solid machine. There isn't any honor in going down with the ship when it's painted Cat yellow.

Thanks for any responses in advance!
 

John C.

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Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
What kind of work to do accomplish with the N and is it going to change if you get the T? I don't remember for sure so you should probably check to see if the T is Tier 4 Interim emissions. If so, there were engine issues as I recall with updates.
 

Vetech63

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
6,362
Location
Oklahoma
Ide keep what you have now. Maybe buy that T and try it out for awhile before you sell the N. The market is strong for either if you decide to sell one of them. As JohnC said.......the T's I have been around have had engine problems, I had one 2 years ago that dropped the engine oil pump and another a month ago that caught fire under the cab from an electrical short that burned to the ground. Both were mid to late 2000 machines.
 

Puffie40

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Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
208
Location
Southeastern B.C.
You say you are worried about a drive train failure because of age. Have you done oil analysis on the machine since you got it? You could try increasing the preventative maintenance to try and catch such a failure before it happens.
 

Nige

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
28,985
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
My worry is that it has just hit 11000 hours
Have you considered a Certified Rebuild for your 6N by Caterpillar ?
There's your answer, well maybe part of it.
Ask about Certified Rebuild. This gives you a full machine rebuild with a new Serial Number and a bumper-to-bumper new machine warranty.
Also availalbe is Certified Power Train Rebuild. The machine retains its original S/No and the PT Rebuild is warranted for a period (maybe 1 year, not sure).
Potentially a more cost-effective solution than a newer tractor with all the electronic bells & whistles. Speak to your local dealer as a first step.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,260
Location
Canada
Knowing your machine and the maintainence it has received could sure give piece of mind you're starting off with a good un-abused machine if you go for the certified rebuild or PT rebuild. You'd also know the engine is going to be reliable with less emissions and electronics to cause problems. I think with the laser set up you can adjust how much it pushes to maximize production. The T will push more but the finished job will be the same.
 

epirbalex

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2017
Messages
548
Location
Akitio
Occupation
peasant
the N is 18 tons and the T is 28. The N doesnt have a ripper, the T does.
Have both machines been weighed ? The rippers will not account for ten ton , that is twice the weight of rippers on a forty ton dozer .
 

jaclo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
108
Location
Midwest
Have both machines been weighed ? The rippers will not account for ten ton , that is twice the weight of rippers on a forty ton dozer .

look it up on richiespecs. The T is just an overall bigger tractor. I didn't mean the ripper alone was the reason for the weight difference.
 

jaclo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
108
Location
Midwest
Thanks everyone for the responses.

What kind of work to do accomplish with the N and is it going to change if you get the T? I don't remember for sure so you should probably check to see if the T is Tier 4 Interim emissions. If so, there were engine issues as I recall with updates.

It will be nice to have a bigger hammer in heavier dozing applications, which will be nice. The mid to light dozing applications will be easily handled by the extra weight and horsepower. I see it as a benefit that I'll have to run a bigger tractor less hard than a smaller tractor. It is T4 DPF/DEF. I'm not particularly afraid of it. It's just a delete away from not being an issue. I know a pretty good former cat tech.

You say you are worried about a drive train failure because of age. Have you done oil analysis on the machine since you got it? You could try increasing the preventative maintenance to try and catch such a failure before it happens.

Yeah. Everything looks good there too. Just another reason to keep it.....or sell it? I can argue both hah.

There's your answer, well maybe part of it.
Ask about Certified Rebuild. This gives you a full machine rebuild with a new Serial Number and a bumper-to-bumper new machine warranty.
Also availalbe is Certified Power Train Rebuild. The machine retains its original S/No and the PT Rebuild is warranted for a period (maybe 1 year, not sure).
Potentially a more cost-effective solution than a newer tractor with all the electronic bells & whistles. Speak to your local dealer as a first step.

If I had bought this tractor brand new, I would consider that. I'm just not interested in dumping that kind of cash in high hour '05 model.

Knowing your machine and the maintainence it has received could sure give piece of mind you're starting off with a good un-abused machine if you go for the certified rebuild or PT rebuild. You'd also know the engine is going to be reliable with less emissions and electronics to cause problems. I think with the laser set up you can adjust how much it pushes to maximize production. The T will push more but the finished job will be the same.

The finish job will be better as the dozer is considerably tighter.


Lots of things to consider, thanks again to all who responded.
 

jaclo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
108
Location
Midwest
I'd look at Cat specs. before I relied on Ritchie specs.

The richie specs come from the cat specs. I just find ritchiespecs to be a lot easier to browse through to get the info I need. Owner told me the dozer weighs 58k.
 

epirbalex

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2017
Messages
548
Location
Akitio
Occupation
peasant
My main issue, is that it's ten tons heavier. We can get into places where that light D6 is just so forgiving. Not to mention the visibility through the sides of the engine compartment isn't near as good on the T.

From your original post , you don't have to worry about the weight .
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,260
Location
Canada
Ritchie specs. have been found to have errors. Might be easier to look up but it's not too difficult to find Cat specs. and/or brochures.
 

jaclo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
108
Location
Midwest
Ritchie specs. have been found to have errors. Might be easier to look up but it's not too difficult to find Cat specs. and/or brochures.

FYI

LGP VPAT + ripper =~56000 lbs
 

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