The undercarriage is everything
On a crawler dozer the undercarriage is by far the biggest wear cost, so inspect it before anything else. Check the track chains, rollers, idlers, sprockets, pads and grouser wear. A dealer can measure the percentage of undercarriage life left, and it is worth paying for that measurement, because a worn-out undercarriage can cost as much as tens of thousands to replace. Uneven or one-sided wear points to hard use.
Blade, C-frame and ripper
Check the blade for wear and the cutting edge and end bits for how much is left. Inspect the C-frame or push arms and the tilt and angle cylinders for leaks and play. A six-way (PAT) blade is more versatile and holds more value than a straight blade. If it has a rear ripper, check the shanks, tips and hydraulics.
Powertrain, hours and value
Test the transmission and the steering (differential steer vs older clutch-and-brake), and listen to the final drives for whining. Value is driven by hours, how much undercarriage life is left, blade type, a ripper, and cab condition. See real-sales values by model on the dozer value guide.
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Frequently asked
How much does a dozer undercarriage cost to replace?
It varies widely by machine size, but a full undercarriage can run into the tens of thousands, which is why measuring the remaining undercarriage life is the single most important pre-purchase check on a dozer.
Is a six-way blade better than a straight blade?
A six-way (PAT) blade tilts and angles for finer grading and is more versatile, so it generally holds more value. A straight or straight-angle blade is simpler and can be fine for heavy pushing.
What is high hours on a used dozer?
Condition, and especially undercarriage life, matter far more than the meter. A well-maintained higher-hour dozer with fresh undercarriage can beat a neglected low-hour one with worn tracks.