CAT D4

[wbvs58]

I'm thinking of buying a D4 or something of similar size to do some clearing of bits and pieces around the place and just wondering how usefull something of this size with a tree spear would be at pushing over trees. Most of it is low scrubby sort of country on soft granite sandy soil and most stuff would be under 18 inches diam. Occaisional tree I couldn't get my arms around but would not expect it to bowl that over.
Would I be too optimistic expecting it to do the job. I don't really want to go to anything bigger and more expensive as I don't know a lot about the machines and do know that you can spend a lot on the tracks etc if I was to buy a lemon.
Ken

 

[B&M Farms]

It will get brush and small trees down pretty well. The bigger ones you just have to dig around them and cut some roots first.

 

[denvermartinfarms]

What age of machine are you thinking about?

 

[wbvs58]

Pretty old, nothing specific I'm looking at the moment but probably 1970's, 80's.
Ken

 

[denvermartinfarms]

Are you thinking 6 way blade?

 

[wbvs58]

Are you thinking 6 way blade?

I wasn't specifically after a 6 way blade but if a suitable machine had one then I wouldn't pass on it. My main concern would be that the tracks and sprockets etc still had a bit of life in them.
Thanks
Ken

 

[Angus Cowman]

you would be better off with a D6 and can usually buy them cheaper than a D4
Jed just bought a good solid D6c and didn't give a lot for it

it will do a lot more work than a 4 and still isn't too big to haul

 

[denvermartinfarms]

I agree with AC, a d6c is about what you need, IMO a older strait blade d4d or one like that is not a very useable machine.

 

[Chuckie]

We have a D6 and it pushes a decent load. You can take down bigger trees, but you have to dig around them first before you push. Then when you start piling the trees up, you can get the trees high on the pile and not lose much steam. When the soil is really moist, it can take down some decent size trees without having to dig. A D6 would save a lot of time due to the load the blade will push.

 

[wbvs58]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will start keeping an eye out in clearing sales for something bigger.
I searched youtube and watched a video of a D6 pushing over a medium size tree and it struggled a fair bit, they had to remove a fair bit of dirt first.
When you start looking there are a fair few older ones out there, mostly just sitting in paddocks rusting after having done a job, they are not worth a real lot until you ask if they are for sale.
Thanks Ken