D6D guidance and opinions, considering purchasing

KwRight,

I was looking at some Cats in a sale that had a D6d in the line up with a veteran Cat mechanic. He commented that the D6d was the worst tractor to work on in his opinion. He just hated a D model. I had to giggle as I responded that the D6d was one my worst models to operate. I personally hated running a D6d. It just wasn't a well balanced Cat in my opinion. Oh, it got the work done, and I have a lot of hours on one, but there are better balanced Cats to choose from. It was just funny hearing that a mechanic felt the same about the D model.
Glen

KwRight,

I was looking at some Cats in a sale that had a D6d in the line up with a veteran Cat mechanic. He commented that the D6d was the worst tractor to work on in his opinion. He just hated a D model. I had to giggle as I responded that the D6d was one my worst models to operate. I personally hated running a D6d. It just wasn't a well balanced Cat in my opinion. Oh, it got the work done, and I have a lot of hours on one, but there are better balanced Cats to choose from. It was just funny hearing that a mechanic felt the same about the D model.
Glen

[quote="7upuller"]KwRight,

I was looking at some Cats in a sale that had a D6d in the line up with a veteran Cat mechanic. He commented that the D6d was the worst tractor to work on in his opinion. He just hated a D model. I had to giggle as I responded that the D6d was one my worst models to operate. I personally hated running a D6d. It just wasn't a well balanced Cat in my opinion. Oh, it got the work done, and I have a lot of hours on one, but there are better balanced Cats to choose from. It was just funny hearing that a mechanic felt the same about the D model.
Glen[/quote]

What would be a better balanced CAT in the $20,000 range to use on a farm?

[quote="7upuller"]KwRight,

I was looking at some Cats in a sale that had a D6d in the line up with a veteran Cat mechanic. He commented that the D6d was the worst tractor to work on in his opinion. He just hated a D model. I had to giggle as I responded that the D6d was one my worst models to operate. I personally hated running a D6d. It just wasn't a well balanced Cat in my opinion. Oh, it got the work done, and I have a lot of hours on one, but there are better balanced Cats to choose from. It was just funny hearing that a mechanic felt the same about the D model.
Glen[/quote]

What would be a better balanced CAT in the $20,000 range to use on a farm?

If you are a mere mortal in the cat skinning world like most of us, you will probably never run it enough hours to notice the balance difference on a farm Cat. These guys talking balance were born wearing Cat seat material for diapers and got many thousands of hours in the seat. Just my humble opinion. :music::music::music:

Hi, Kwright.
It depends pretty much on what you want it for. If it is for earthwork dozing, even if you aren't an experienced operator, you may just eventually figure out that a bare-a**ed D6D is OUTA BALANCE - - - and never mind O-I-H 'cos he cain't even keep a Steel Mule on its feet. In fact, he BROKE his neck to roll it over. LOL.

A decent ripper or a logging winch on the back end makes a different machine of them.

If you are going to be doing mostly clearing or drawbar work, the balance may not be such an issue.

Azfer working on them with wrenches, I dunno 'cos I have never had to do any of it.

Just my 0.02.

KwRight,

I'd spend time looking for a good D6-c 10k model. Find one with a good undercarriage on it.
Glen

The D's couldn't be all that bad, they built/sold over 10,000 4Xxxxx power shifts alone. Bare tractor is a couple thousand lbs heavier and 140 hp 3306T vs the C at 125 hp. Is possible they pushed the hp a bit.

Our company had two D's which gave good service and were no more difficult to work on than a C, but consider that C models are mostly in their 50's and D's in their 40's. Part availability is going to become an issue. As far as balance all dozers need something on the back, rippers being more use full for dozer work. Don't know about Glen's balance problem, maybe it is due to his rust affliction.