I plan to go look at a cat d3 friday. Its 1998 model Sheet metal looks good from pics. Im a little ok with looking for wear on undercarriage, but beyond that, not much Can yall help me know what to look for please? I hate to admit i don't even kniw how to check it for "blowby"(although i will google that after i post this) Owner says i can operate it a couole hours to get it good and hot Hrs are 5800. Motor is 3406. price is 16000 That seems like pretty high hrs fir the price to me, but interested i what yall think Thanks for any tips Stacy whetzell
Are you sure it's a 1998, can you post the serial number? It looks a little rough but 5800 hours isn't real high. Condition depends more on how it was cared for. Cover over track spring is missing and it looks like the rails have some life left with lots of adjustment but hard to tell how worn the sprockets are. Pads are pretty worn. I'd guess it's on a 2nd set of rails and the pads were likely reused. Hard to tell what the rollers are like. The price is about half of some on Machinery Trader but it looks rougher and may need a bunch of work. The best thing to do would be to see if a mechanic from a dealer could go and inspect it for you. It might cost a couple hundred bucks but could save you thousands. If all it needed was 2 or $3000 (or less)to get it in good shape would be a good deal. If it needed all new undercarriage then the price could be negotiated a lot more.
As far back on the track frame as that front idler is I'd find out how many links are in a track chain on those machines and count how many there are on that machine, it looks like one link may have been removed? jmho.
I roughly counted 37 links which I think is correct. The paint on the rails makes me think they are newer and the hours would make sense for a 2nd set of railes. Maybe a couple thousand hours on them.
Thanks yall! I called cat with the serial number and its actually a 99, d3c series III Stacy
Stacy, the track chains and track rollers are in very good condition, but the grousers on the track shoes are worn down and in need of some grouser bar welded on to bring them back up to new height. The tractor looks nice and straight, no bent panels or other major damage, so it appears it hasn't been abused too badly. A lack of track frame cover guards is not good, cover guards keep dirt out of the track recoil spring, rollers, track chain and idler adjuster mechanism. Ask if the track frame cover guards are available. Check the operation of the transmission, make sure it shifts smoothly, and firmly, and that the transmission and engine are not overheating (do at least a half-hours work with it). Check the oils to ensure they're reasonably clean (no milkiness or corrosion around the dipsticks or caps) and that the transmission oil doesn't smell burnt. Check for worn rings (blowby) by running the engine up to operating temperature, and then, while the engine is still running, remove the oil filler cap and check for "heavy breathing". Heavy breathing is visible puffs of combustion gas coming from the breather. There should only be a very light level of fumes with the cap off. Check the radiator for damage to fins and tubes (both sides), and check the condition of the coolant. Rusty coolant means corrosion problems in the engine and cooling system down the track. Check the blade hydraulics for smooth and rapid operation, and look for leaks at the hydraulic cylinder seals, and bad scores and scratches on the chrome shafts. Check for wear in blade pins. On initial appearance, $16K appears to be a reasonable price for that D3C, if every check above stacks up as satisfactory. Finally, check with your law enforcement to ensure the tractor hasn't been stolen, and that the current owner has some type of proof that he owns it - and has the rights to sell it.