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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Utility tractor or bulldozer

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Doug, Ontario

10-01-2004 12:32:16




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I recently bought an 8n for my farm. The hay is farmed by someone else and I am basically trying to make some trails and clean up the pastures. There are alot of good size rocks on brush and I am wondering what is the best way to attack.

So far I have been fairly impressed with what the 8n will do. I have a front end loader on it but I know that its way out of its league. But for something built in 1947, wow what a great little tractor.

The property is pretty hilly and I was thinking a bulldozer might work better. I am sure the making some trails and cleaning up pasture is a pretty common thing. Whats the best way of going about it?

Thanks for any help. I have asked questions on this board before and have always been amazed at how great all your responses are.

Regards/Doug,Ontario

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barryinmn

10-01-2004 21:31:53




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
We have had a 59hp rubber tired TLB on the farm for 25 years. Nearly tipped it over building a trail climbing over downed logs. Digging rocks out on slopes is still dicey even straight up & down.

Bought a dozer & never looked back!! safe stable crawls over anything. tracks do tear up soil if you get aggressive turning. More fun in snow frozen lawn - no maintenance cleanup but won't cut dirt either.

Maintenance wise: $500 for dozer (injector pump) for TLB $9000 refurbed cyl's, welded dipper stick, transmission, & 2 rear tires. now good for another 25 years.

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Chris Jones

10-01-2004 21:20:48




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
A track hoe. Seems that's what everyone does everything with around here. They clear land by reaching up and pushing the trees over then using a thumb pick the trees up and stack them or load them in a truck. Also great for digging big rocks!



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Jerry/MT

10-01-2004 20:02:30




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
I've use small cats and small tractors and if I was needin' to do some clearing and move rocks, make trails on hilly terrain, etc, I'd take a cat every time. A farm tractor/loader, used very carefully, can do these things in a pinch, but a cat will do them easier and more safely. Just my opinion.



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Jared in VT

10-01-2004 19:27:37




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
Hey Doug, I have an IH 574U with a quick tach loader, a wide front SMTA and a JD 420 crawler with a dozer blade. I have nice level ground on narrow pastures by the river, but its all up and down after that; hills and trees and rocks. I hay the land and haul timber and rocks off the hill. The SMTA can pull a barn full of heifers over snow on level ground, but it has no stability and too much traction on slopes and hills. The 574, though modern and more powerfull, is much like your 8N. It can scare me on even level ground with a big load in the bucket or when hauling timber. The JD 420C can haul timber and push rocks at the same time! It is steady, dependable labor without the life threathening drama of the tractors. The JD can kill you too, but it seems much less interested in that, than just getting the job done. The 8N was not designed to do what you need it to do. The addition of a small crawler to your stable gives you the power of choice in your projects. Good luck, stay safe, Jared

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Chas in Me

10-01-2004 18:46:33




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
Doug,
The day you decide to go across one of those hills with a full bucket in the air, is the day we all say good-bye to you. Tractor rollovers are the single largest cause of tractor related deaths on farms.
If you have to work crossways to a hill, get a dozer. Also, keep in mind that you will lose traction with a full bucket. This means you can bounce the rear end into the air.
So, look at the steepness, examine how much unease you have working on those hills and make your own decision.
Good luck.
Chas

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Doug/Ont

10-01-2004 18:08:55




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
Hi Doug, what part of Ontario are you in, I am in the eastern section at Napannee/Read. I also am clearing land and putting in a road, have bought a Ford Backhoe to do my work. It works great and can do all of my tasks with ease. If you are close to me, we could meet and maybe we could help each other out with equipment (no charge) from my end anyway. My email is dguay1@kos.net.By the way, my name is also Doug.Great site this, and a very helpful bunch of real nice guys.

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Doug, Ontario

10-01-2004 20:17:41




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug/Ont, 10-01-2004 18:08:55  
Hi Doug,

I am in Warkworth, which is about 45 minutes NW of Bellville. Pretty close, considering the size of Ontario but probably too far for swaping equipment. I appreciate the offer though.

Regards/Doug



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Leland

10-01-2004 17:17:16




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
Doug remember an 8N is a tractor not a dozer it may do the job but what kind of shape will this tractor be when you are done. But the terain you have described could pose a safety problem for you or sudden death if you make a mistake. A dozer is more stable on hills why do you think the apple growers love them in washington state. So if you value life find and use the right tool for the job.



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Doug, Ontario

10-01-2004 20:13:32




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Leland, 10-01-2004 17:17:16  
Thanks for your comment. I have to tell you that your two concerns (how the tractor will take it, and my safety)were the main things that got me thinking that there must be a better way.

I frankly don't know much about crawlers and I guess thats why I posted. What are some of the negatives with a crawler? Does it really tear up your property with the tracks? Is it slower? Is there more maintenance?

Thanks for your help/Doug

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Leland

10-02-2004 21:19:34




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 20:13:32  
A dozer can tear things up thats what there made for,but also depends on what type of tracks is on it.but you have hills and stuff grouzers would be best(steel lugs)and if you were going to use an 8N then a D-3 cat or other brand that size would handle this job safely and would not do much damage to your property. todays dozers can work pretty fast so you would be time ahead over a tractor. And are you needing a blade or a bucket for this job, If a bucket then find a small track loader with a 4 in 1 bucket it will give you the best of both. only bad thing about dozers is you can't road them like a tractor. And most now are pedal steer and a joy stick to operate boom, simple and you will be a real operator in no time. Just watch the guy on a job you can learn a lot have fun .

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Doug/Ont

10-02-2004 03:06:57




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 20:13:32  
If you Decide to go with a dozer, would you let me know as I am very interested as to how you make out with it. Safety is always the first thing that I concern myself with and work accordingly, I have no hills to worry about just lots of rocks to dig out, that is why I went with a Backhoe purchase. If you would still like to meet sometime and have a coffee and chat at Tims, I would be pleased to talk to you and discuss your progress. Best regards Doug

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TimV

10-01-2004 13:06:24




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to Doug, Ontario, 10-01-2004 12:32:16  
Doug: you'll be surprised at how much clearing you can do with that 8N, provided you don't expect to "build Rome in a day". A back blade and a brush hog can go a long way toward smoothing out the pastures, and you can use the front end loader to push many of the rocks onto a stone boat (an old car hood works well in a pinch) and move them off the field that way.



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BrokenFences

10-02-2004 19:40:48




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 Re: Utility tractor or bulldozer in reply to TimV, 10-01-2004 13:06:24  
First I bought a case 850c CLB, to move the really big stuff. But after I sold that,I bought an ASV rubber track skid loader. The comfort and safety of this machine are really incredible, and the capability to perform work on ANY terrain is immeasurable. I have driven in mud, rocks, turf, and snow and love it. They do not belong on pavement though, and UC parts are salty from the Cat dealer. Otherwise, great machines for your project. And they are light enough for a 3/4 ton pickup to pull.

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