I Bought a COLOSSAL Caterpillar D9 Dozer, DIRT CHEAP!!

Summary

The video follows Matt from Diesel Creek as he purchases a used 1970s Caterpillar D9H bulldozer despite not needing one. He dismantles the massive blade to transport it, weighing the parts and calculating costs. After reassembling at its new home, Matt reflects on the amazing deal he got, around $11,100 for a $50,000 machine. Though he doesn't require it, Matt is excited to use the 111,000 lb bulldozer for projects at the nearby steam show before selling it.

Takeaways

• 😊 Matt bought a used 1970s Caterpillar D9H bulldozer even though he doesn't really need it, because the price was too good to pass up
• 🚜 The D9H weighs about 90,000 lbs and is twice as big as Matt's D8 bulldozer
• 👷 Matt and his friends disassembled the bulldozer blade to transport it, using an RC crane truck and service rig
• 🚛 They transported the 19,000 lb blade on one truck and the bulldozer itself weighed around 88,000 lbs on the truck
• 🌡️ The weather was freezing cold, making work conditions miserable with frozen equipment
• 🔧 Matt reassembled the blade onto the bulldozer at its new home at a steam show
• 💪 The D9H has 111,000 lbs of pushing power and a ripper shank to tear through rock
• 🤑 Matt paid $11,100 for the D9H, which he estimates is worth $40-50k, so it was a great deal
• 🚜 Matt plans to play around with it at the steam show then sell it to a buyer he already has lined up
• 👷‍♂️In the next video Matt will use the D9H to push a lot of dirt and drag out a stuck machine

Q & A

What machine did Matt buy?

Matt bought a 1970s Caterpillar D9H dozer

Why did Matt buy the D9H if he didn't need it?

He got a good deal on it that he couldn't pass up. At $200/ton, he paid around $11,100 for a dozer worth $40-50k.

How much does the blade assembly weigh?

According to the Caterpillar manual, the blade assembly with tilt cylinders and arms weighs around 18,000-19,000 lbs.

How are they transporting the D9H?

They are completely disassembling the blade so they can legally and safely transport the parts. The blade goes on one truck, the tractor on another.

What was wrong with the starter?

The starter was having issues turning over. They had to bump start it.

What date did they pick up the D9H?

They picked it up on December 26th.

Who all helped pick up and transport the dozer?

Matt had help from his friends Sam, Gino, and Big John.

Where are they taking the D9H?

They are taking it to the National Pike Steam Show.

What do they plan to do with the D9H?

They plan to play around with it and use it at the Steam Show before selling it.

Why couldn't they do much pushing the first day?

The muddy conditions made it difficult. The tracks kept getting clogged.