Anyone used an M for this sort of work? I know small crawlers can do big work on trees if you take you time and cut the roots with the blade first, but I thought I'd see if there's any first-hand accounts. 

Smaller brush you can either walk down, or start picking it apart with the corner of the blade.  We used to put the blade high, and just drive right over the smaller trees at right angles to the direction that you would be piling the trees.  Then come back with a toothed blade (brush rake)  at 90 degrees to the direction you walked the brush down. Push into piles, and have a weiny roast.  

We used to call this process breaking new land, but usually most of the breaking was equipment failing.   A very difficult and time consuming job.  We had a fair sized stump ranch where I grew up, and breaking land was a continuous process.  

 You know you dont need permission from us to buy another Allis unit! If you can get it, do it. Something about pushing dirt and trees that brings out the kid in you too! My friend Ted has two M's. Not sure of the condition. But that is a nice small dozer. Check it out good. get some pictures on here too. Does it run? Is the running gear and tracks decent?

I think these may be small enough that you can load and take to some shows also.

Regards,

 Chris

Regards,

 Chris

Didn't get over there today, so hopefully tomorrow. 

if in the future the need arises, how hard is it to get parts for these machines? Are parts still available aftermarket, or do I need to find a parts crawler?

Secondly, what are the major things I need to inspect when looking at the machine? Is there a way to test the steering clutches, or is it one of those "they either work or they don't" things? 

Lastly, were there winches or rippers available for these crawlers?

Thanks! 

Just remember when you work with crawler tractors there is a lot of HEAVY IRON items that need or could need attention.  Check the steering case closely.  I had a cousin who bought an M that had a cracked steering gear case and would not steer left.  Also, the tracks.  Do they sag when they go over the top sprocket.  Means pins are worn. 

The M is a great crawler.  We had a customer who swore by them.  It would be an outstanding addition to any collection.  Just be careful.  Crawlers can be money pits.

Good Luck!

Bill Long

I dont know about steering one of these as it may be way different than my off color IH. But in general, if you have some steering in both directions, your way ahead as compared to NO steering! 

Looks to be similar to most in that era. You may need to use the brakes to get it to turn. 

Just kidding, kind of. On mine I have used it 10 hours max in the 4 years I have owned it. and worked on it about 400 hrs. :) Just saying. Hope its a good one and you bring it home. If it is in good working order your projects sound just right for it. 

Regards,

 Chris

I went and took a look at it, and got to have a little fun digging in the dirt, testing everything out. Starts easily, runs great, no oil leaks, no smoke, lots of lugging power when pushing dirt. It was in the 40s outside, so the hydraulics were a little sluggish at first, but they aren't too bad once they warm up (PTO driven pump) They raise the blade faster than they lower it. Has a float feature for the blade, which I really like. Steering was ok I thought. If you just pull on either of the hand levers, it will gradually turn in the corresponding direction, but the foot brakes are needed quite a bit. The brakes squeal some, but they work quite well. Doesn't take much foot pressure to lock down one set of tracks and spin the machine around. One funny thing I noticed is the machine turns much better using only the hand clutches when going in reverse. Don't need the steering brakes nearly as much to make a good turn around.

Undercarriage looked good I thought. Sprockets didn't seem to be abnormally worn, and the bushings are in great shape. Nice and round, not much wear there. Rails look good. New grousers were welded on a few years ago. 

Now what you're all here for....pics! Foolish me didn't think to get pics until after I parked it, so these will have to do. Paint is actually decent, it's just covered in about a year's worth of dust. 

The blade and roll cage were made by the previous owner. They're actually well made, and I'm impressed with the workmanship. Everything I saw was bolt-on and could be removed if one desired. 

Haven't sealed the deal yet, but I'm thinking we may get it. Owner is a good friend, and not in too much of a hurry, so it gives me a little time to think. He's asking $2,500. Y'all think that's good/low/high?

I had a M with a blade years ago it was a real neat piece to own and do a few things with but for a serious machine to push up trees and brush I wouldn't want to use it much.

I could do more with a good size tractor with a  blade and a subsoiler or ripper on the back. But it is a nice dozer and if you like it and have the money to spare I wouldn't think you could go wrong buying it.

I'm thinking we may give it a go, and if it's too small for the work I want to do, I could always sell it.

You were correct about the hydraulics not being live. Not "ideal" but I can tolerate that. 

Here's a photo from Google Maps showing what I've got to work on. Most of the trees are like this, except for the oaks. 

I know you're right on this one. We've burned ground before, with nice results the following spring. 

As for a burn job, take a box of strike anywhere matches with you, and get the burn started in an area where you put down some tracks...  then go to the other end, and start workin there, helps if the wind is driving, in a favorable direction, thattaway, when the FD shows up, you can say this ole machine musta blew a spark out, when it backfired...

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"?

 I think is worth what they are asking. In fact might be worth twice that to the right collector.

You cant go wrong.

Thanks for the report and the pictures.

Regards,

 Chris

please don't tell me where it's at

you can't go wrong

That said, it looks to be worth the asking price and probably more to a collector.  As you mentioned, you can try it and if you find it small for your needs, it would be fairly saleable, and you probably would not be out much for trying it.

Heck, its an Allis.  Get it home, and then see what you want to do

Covers pins, bushings, rail height, lower roller diameters, front idlers, carrier roller,rear sprockets and tensioners...

it sounded a bit too good to be true at 2500 to take serious, I would have ran to get money

Its 30 years ago now but a wahoo  took a D6 and 18 foot dag disc 2 or 3 miles( no wheels) down the super 2 lane highway. Never got in any trouble, cause many would like if he did.

I have walked a D6, 7 miles from one place to another, 7 mile  on the road this was jeep trails and across pastures so it was a bit more miles. I went over a bunch of hill and 6 or 8 gates in less than 3 hours.So if a stones throw is the same in OK I would look at trying to drive it. I use conveyor belting to cross "delicate" oil sealed gravel roads good asphalt is not damaged by a crawler as light as a M. For the big celebration in town called Pioneer Days every year they take 20 to 30 crawlers down main street. All the way up to Cat 60's that would be about 4 times bigger than a M. They go slow and don't turn short, just little white marks from the grousers.   No rubber pads or wood blocks just regular working cleats.