Bulldozers

A bulldozer is a heavy piece of earthmoving equipment mainly used for construction and demolition work. It has a front-mounted hydraulic 'dozer' blade and wide tracks that firmly grip the ground. Bulldozers are used for moving soil and unwanted materials, clearing debris, grading, cutting brush or tree stumps, and knocking things down. Bulldozers treads provide unbeatable traction on every imaginable surface. Additionally, the weight of a bulldozer is distributed over a large area, to ensure minimum or no damage to the surface on which it runs. Look for bulldozers with extra wide tracks if it is going to be operated on loose surfaces.

Size Considerations

There are two aspects to be considered while evaluating the size of the bulldozer you need. The size or power of the engine can vary from 40 hp to over 400 hp. More powerful engines are also available and are used for mining, huge trash operations, in military and other large scale operations. 100 hp – 250 hp is the range commonly used for general-purpose bulldozing. The physical size of the bulldozer must also be considered. Bulldozer blades can range from over 9' to more than 14' wide and protective cabs can be 8' to 12' high. If you want your bulldozer to fit into a garage or to pass through a narrow gate, carefully assess the size that you need and find blades and cabs that will fit within the available space.
 
Bulldozer blades
Different types of bulldozer blades perform different functions. Purchase the blade that is suitable for most of your needs.

• Universal or U-blades: They are curved blades with ‘wings’ to hold more material
• Straight or S-Blades: They have no wings or curvature and are used for grading.
• S-U Blades: They are a combination of U- and S- blades. Use an S-U blade if you want to push small piles of heavier materials.
• Sharper blades are used to cut down tree stumps and to clear brush.

Buying considerations:

• Before purchasing a bulldozer take it for a test drive. The vehicle should have a comfortable seat and its controls should be easy to operate and reach. You should be able to board and de-board easily.
• You should have a clear field of vision when sitting in the vehicle, for smooth operation and safety. You should also be able to see the blade edges from your seat.
• Bulldozers require regular maintenance. Ask your dealer regarding the service and maintenance schedule and if he can provide you with local service in your region. The engine and hydraulic pumps should be easily accessible. The bulldozer should allow quick and easy replacement of damaged track links.

Price Considerations:
Price depends on the size of the bulldozer, features and your geographic location. For example in the US, Bulldozer prices start at $30,000 for small bulldozers while larger ones with 100 hp to 200 hp engines may cost over $75,000. Bulldozers with larger engines cost more than $100,000. Before purchasing your vehicle carefully compare bulldozers including dealerships, their past performances and track-record. Ask the dealer for references. Call past customers to see if they are happy with the after sales service.