I'm contemplating buying a 963 and putting a dozer blade on it for terrace work. Leaning towards a 963C because 963D's are mainly out of my price range and the few 963B's I have seen in my area have a ton of hours on them. Basically trying to figure out what blade would be a good match for this machine. I used to have a 977L that had a straight blade off of a D6C on it and it seemed small for that machine. I have seen quite a few 977's that fitted with old D7 straight blades that seemed to be a better match. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Just wondering what what you gain with a loader with dozer blade on it over a dozer with a tilt blade?
I'm gonna guess that you have the ability to stack much higher? Also be able to put a bucket back on....all guesses though. I would think a dozer would be better suited for detailed grading, but never have used a track loader with a blade so I don't know for sure....
For the most part, in my area, we build whats called narrow base terraces and they are mostly built from the bottom side. The finished product is designed to have a 2:1 back slope. When using a regular dozer you usually bring a fair amount of dirt back down on each push. By using a loader you have the ability to basically dump the dirt on each push which makes it more efficient. That is the biggest reason. There are a couple other reasons, one being converting what they call a grassed back slope terrace into a narrow base terrace which is being done alot because the size of the farm equipment keeps getting bigger and doesn't fit the contour of the channel on a grassed back slope terrace. Converting these is done from the top side. With a regular dozer the blade doesn't go high enough to do a decent job. Basically like Tags said. It's the ability to stack the dirt higher.
how about just a 4in1 bucket ?
I have a 953C set up with a quick attach and have both the Cat GP bucket and a Balderson blade- it works quite well. It is not, nor replaces a dozer but will do a tremendous amount of work with 1- machine.
As far as a 4in1, I know it would handle a wider blade the that would be. But if I found a machine with a 4in1 I could at least use it that way until I found a good blade to match the machine and have the mounts fabricated.
Just out of curiousity, how wide is your Balderson blade
JBGASH, is your blade a straight or six way? Where are you located in Mo.?
Bam1968 I have been wanting to do the same thing as you for rebuilding terraces that are full. I find little to no information on other people doing this or what size blade would work. Did you figure anything out?