Well our old D155AX-5 gave up the ghost. I bid on and won a spare parts dozer but that was before I knew ours wasn’t going to be economical to repair and has the same issue as the parts machine. So yeah, not so good. This brings me to the question of the thread to the men who have been around and worked on the newer -7 series 155’s. Are they any good? We’re looking at one that’s in Nashville with about 9,000 hours for less than $150K. We bought two haul trucks from the same company years back and have been happy with that sale so were hopeful that maybe we could do it again. What has been the experience of those who spent a lot of time in and around them? Is there a significant difference between the -7 and -8 series other than emissions equipment? Also I am looking for D8R’s just not seeing many at the moment in the right shape at the same rough price point that don’t need a UC or just look to be in rough shape. Here is the one we’re looking at: 2014 D155ax-7
There is one 2007 model at a place I work at. They also had a whole fleet of Dash 1 machines. 9000 hours is a fair amount , but the powertrains in these units last quite good from a guy who worked on them alot. I would recommend showing up with oil sampling equipment, and getting engine sample, Transmission sample, Final Drive Sample, and Hydraulics sample. Even if you have to pay a heavy equipment mobile guy to do it, and it costs $500, that will be like toilet paper compared to a major component to change out. They are way better to get out the major components as compared to the old ones I worked on. There is also good availability of rebuilt components for these units and some techs at the dealerships that can do diagnostic work and repairs. The old Dash 1's that I spent so much time on are junk now. No parts available. Compared to new D8 size dozer, price is not bad if Oil Samples prove okay. If something is wrong you will have bargaining power. Thats my take on it. Simon C
Machine looks clean. Right side sprocket segment has more wear then left side. Wear package on blade looks thin. Panels and paint all original. 9000hr is a hard one. Its the age where the original owner had the best run but its just starting to cost money. Be expecting big bills in next 5000hrs if drive train is all original. I would definitely be looking at service, oil sample and component history. Any company who looks after their gear will have it all on file and will be able to determine trends ect.
9000 hours you'll be at the same place with repairs as your Dash-5's soon enough just with a higher re-sale value on account of it being a later model . $ 150 thousand would pay for a lot of repairs . What is the over all condition of the Dash 5's ? , two tractors with low component hours after repair is better than one on borrowed time .
The -5 we have has over 16,000 hrs and until the trans let go was still getting along pretty well. Parts were getting harder to source but Costex was starting to expand their line of Komatsu products that fit the machine. We’ll definitely pull oil samples. I’m working with the local dealer to get this figured out so we don’t get bit by another bad trans etc.
The -5’s are not in the best shape. The first one we bought has a bad trans. Quoted $35k for a new old stock trans plus labor and other parts needed to replace. It’s also coming due for a new UC and the pivot bushing for the track frames are in bad shape. So she needs work. The second machine has a bad engine and we found water in the trans oil sample and the screens had friction material in them. We thought maybe we could have done an engine swap from one to the other but once we found that the trans was suspect we punted. We only bought the one for the UC. Ultimately these machines both have 15-16k hrs into them.
Some stuff is getting hard to get parts with only 20 years on. See old dozers all over Alberta that people think are gold mines, go and try to get parts for the engine or transmission and you find out otherwise. Manufacturers have made it so that you will replace, like it or not. The problem now is that labour is so high. I built quite a few of the Dash 1 transmissions and torques. Can't even buy some of the seals for the torque anymore. They are all big jobs, and if the undercarriage is done it is best to due Engine, Transmission, Torque all at once and be done along with wiring harnesses. Problem is that often not worth it in pay back. I seen wiring harnesses on Komatsu grader not available after 20 years, just beware. Cat is selling more parts because they sold more machines, but they will follow the other manufacturers. Oil samples can give a guy a good sneak peak of what might be there. Simon C
Even with a third good - 5 those two won't be any help to you .