M Crawler for Brush Clearing?

I will send Shameless over to help you move it. The 2 perfect days are close Christmas and New Years morning at sun up, everybody is opening gifts or asleep. You just go right down the road.

A better one around the corner?  Don't know what to tell you,,,, I've been a little quick to pull the trigger on a few and been sorry afterward.
Take your time and check it out well.  It could pay for itself in no time at all.

I don't know what a stones throw is for you, but that's just across the road for me.  (I'd tear my shoulder out)  If you've got help and it's not that far, you can put planks down and run across em.  Put em in front and then go and as you go forward, you just pick them up from behind and put em in front again.  Slow going but it works...

Well guys, a rather significant blunder was made on my part.
When I talked to him initially, it was via telephone, and he mentioned he was selling it and wanted $2,500, or so I thought. I was in kind of a bad reception area, and I thought he said $2,500, but upon clarification today, he really is asking $4,500. That’s the price he’d want from most people, but said he’d cut me a deal at $3,200 since we’ve been such good friends for the last 10 years or so. He bought the dozer for $3,800 and shipping was another $1,500, so I know how he feels when he wants to recoupe his losses there.
I’ll have to have it shipped to the farm anyway, as my trailer barely hauls the 8N. So there’s more expense there. Right now it’s just not in my budget for all that, so I’m beginning to doubt I’ll buy it. But...I’m going to give myself a couple days to think it over some more.

JW...it’s still at his house, just a stones throw from me. Tell Clarissa she can come give me a crawler lesson anytime

CrestonM wrote: Haha! The rural fire dept. is literally about 3 blocks away!  I felt the bushings and looked them over. Almost perfectly round, not showing much wear.  I'm not familiar with dozers, what all is covered by the term "undercarriage"?

Edited by DiyDave - 17 Dec 2018 at 8:10pm

Looks to be in decent shape, pretty straight and well looked after.  Pinion is not showing too much wear.  The track chain is always the question.  Worn chains, are prone to fall off at bad times.  Also no fun to put on when they do walk off which is always in the worst place.

Edited by Reindeer - 17 Dec 2018 at 6:55pm

Creston,

Stick a finger or 2 up into the rails, and see if you can feel if the bushings are wore out.  For that money, better jump on it, if the UC ain't wore out!

i'll gives him $2500. for it, $3000. if he delivers it here! oh....and just drive past that area you wanna clear and throw a cigar (lit) in there! it'll save you a little time!

ceders are pretty easy to remove.  you shouldnt have trouble if that is what your looking to do.  the oaks will be tough.

Edited by CAL(KS) - 17 Dec 2018 at 10:07am

it is definitely in good shape and i think the price is reasonable.  but take it from a guy with bigger crawlers, they are never big enough.  when you get this make sure you are using it within reason,  you are not going to just drive up to big tree and push it over.    for moving dirt around yes it will be fun but it will be slow.  trees and solid objects are alot harder on a machine than just pushing dirt around.  looks like the pump drive is on the back,  so not live,  somewhat irritating but usable.  if you havnt used a skidsteer much you will like it, but if you have it may feel underwhelming.  again  its a neat machine in good shape but how you use it will determine how much you like it.

Edited by CAL(KS) - 17 Dec 2018 at 9:18am

Look at the pins on the tracks and make sure they are good. Someone has spent more than the asking price on a brush guard and did a fair job of not destroying the M by adding it . I've got a one that don't have a blade. At my age I don't think I would won't to run it 8 hrs a day. Not knowing the trees you have be hard to answer. If they are shallow rooted like cedar and most soft wood I think it would be fine. But if the trees have a tap root like a locusts or oak I think I'd want something newer bigger and more comfortable. As far as parts ,be looking for a spare M to buy if you are thinking of using it. Engine parts are available but final drives and undercarriage parts are non existent. It looks great and I would like it to play with , Not to use but you have less miles and ache a less than I so I say buy it but use it like you were using your grandads tractor and he was watching you!!! Good luck

I've been checking Creston's post every night but no one has answered his question. You have all spun off in all directions but will it take down trees a foot in diameter? I had the same thought of a M for my own use but doubt I could find as nice a machine. Or at that price!

come on guys...ya'll know why he really wants it! it's to pull his combine outta the mud at Hutch! (poke,poke)

Creston, I can't speak to the M but I have a '63 H-3 (not operating right now) and it is a super machine. Bob@allisdowneast