In conjunction with the D155-7 we’re looking at we’re also considering a ripper for our D8K and saving the money of a dozer purchase. We have good D8K and a ripper that we took off the old D8H we have that’s got a transmission issue we could bolt up onto the 8K. If we went this route we’d be saving a ton of money but I’m not sure that it’s a good bet due to age of the machine and it’s generally lighter weight. We don’t rip a lot, but when we do need a ripper, well you just need a ripper. I think we could get the swap made with some time in the shop and maybe a few thousand for parts like a valve etc. vs the buy price of the 155. Would you guys go one way or the other based on past experience with the K?
Based on similar other posts, it seems the general consensus was it's a big gamble on 40+ year old machine in who knows what condition.
If youv'e owned the K for a while with proper maintaince you'd have a good idea of it's condition, so go for it.
A D8k will definitely rip. They do their best work in a straight line. Slow and steady.
If you didn't pull the D8H in half using the rippers you shouldn't pull the D8K to bits either , a case of going with the devil you know . No telling what another dozer has hidden just waiting for a new owner to discover .
Seems to me Nige has said that it's not a guarantee that the ripper from the H will bolt up to the K. Just a thought.
Probably should post the serial number of each to see for sure. And the tag on the ripper.
As long as the correct person is running it, the rear plate shouldn't pull out. The biggest issue will be the hydraulics for the ripper. Unless the K is already valved and plumbed for it.
Could be cheaper to fix the H , transmission wouldn't be much .
The 8K is sn:77v14845. Doesn’t have the plumbing for the ripper but I’ve sourced from a breaker in Alberta. His quote put all here for about $8k US.