Re: Re: 1958 D8H vs. Northern Ontario

Posted by Rod F. on September 08, 2003 at 21:09:05 from (142.177.104.81):

In Reply to: Re: 1958 D8H vs. Northern Ontario posted by Cliff again on September 07, 2003 at 09:28:44:

Yes, it's still a bad deal in my opinion. Sounds like you have you heart set on it though. I would strongly suggest that you hire a mechanic for a few hours (somebody you trust) to go over the beast and check everything out. It would be money well invested if you are very serious about the machine. Track work is pretty straight forward, but gets expensive. That tractor is likely cheap for a reason, and $12000 CAD is a pittance on the price of a new one. I just saw a D8 10k (1978 I think)in the Atlantic Truck Trader for something like $125000 CAD, with lots of new parts, and ready to work. That may give you an idea of what an old 8 is worth. Also for forestry work, for your own safety you should have a canopy, back screen, and sweeps. The machine needs to be guarded, for you protection. Knock down a dead spar, the top breaks back on your head, and you're dead if you don't have protective structure. Again I will suggest a smaller machine. My experience is on a D4H, which is a 90 hp, 12 ton class machine. Roughly equal to a 5c or 5d. Most of my time has been spent clearing land similar to what you describe, and we have done well over 100 acres with the 4. It is too light for large hardwood, if they are freshly cut, but after a few years, the stumps come out easily. An agile machine with good hydraulics is a lot more useful for the type of work we do. I would suggest that the 8 is neither. If you have no experience clearing land, it is very important to realise that it is quite a different operation than straight dozing or road building. You will likely want to pile and burn the trees/stumps. They must be piled clean and free of dirt. It's not a matter of dropping the blade and pushing. Need a good root rake, usually just using the corner to see what you are doing. My D4 seldom works hard at that, and one acre often takes between 10 -15 hours to complete. I've seen faster, I've seen cheaper, but I haven't seen a fast, cheap, GOOD job. Going rate around these parts is about $1000 /acre, give or take. Popular machines are Cat D-6's, International TD-15, Case 1150, Komatsu D-65, etc. I realise this post is now quite long, but I hate to see someone make a mistake, and in all sincerity, I think this D-8 is a walk past. Add up what you know it needs, with the purchase price, and you probably have a good D-5 or D-6. Take care, and good luck.

Rod in N.S.

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