2024 spec guide: dozers

Dozers are a perennial favourite among equipment enthusiasts young and old. The simple raw pushing power of these earthmoving elder statesmen holds an appeal for both kids in the sandbox and operators in the field. Dozers, however, have evolved beyond the simplicity of merely pushing material with the level of precision totally reliant on the skill and experience of the operator in the cab. Today's dozers can no longer be separated from the technology that now often comes standard. These technologies make it easier and faster for novice operating talent to run the machine with the finesse of a grizzled veteran. Read on for our 2024 spec guide, and explore dozers up to 100,000 pounds for earthmoving applications.

Liebherr

Liebherr Crawler Dozers ensure that full power is on-call at all times, regardless of weather conditions or material grades. Designed for heavy dozing and precision grading, the hydrostatic drive system provides optimal pushing speed, ensuring consistent power and efficiency. Operator Assistance Systems enhance grading quality and operational efficiency, maximizing productivity on the job site. Whether tackling tough terrain or intricate grading tasks, Liebherr Crawler Dozers are designed to meet high standards with robust performance and innovative technology.

Featured: PR 726

The Liebherr PR 726 XL and LGP crawler dozers offer excellent efficiency and versatility, making them ideal for medium-duty tasks such as site preparation, road construction, and moderate earthmoving. Both versions of the PR 726 have advanced Liebherr diesel engines that deliver high performance and low fuel consumption. Equipped with operator assistance systems such as Free Grade and Definition Grade, along with an innovative hydrostatic drive, these dozers ensure precision and ease of use. The PR 726 XL handles demanding tasks, while the LGP model's low ground pressure undercarriage is perfect for soft, sensitive terrain.

John Deere Construction & Forestry

John Deere currently offers eight dozer models – three small P-Tier dozers, three mid-size dozers, and two large P-Tier dozers. Enhancing operator performance and safety, the P-Tier small dozers feature a variety of strategic design choices aimed to increase visibility and comfort. The mid-size dozer models offer exceptional performance, reliability, and ease of operation in a mid-size design. Lastly, the 950 P-Tier and 1050 P-Tier large dozer models have been upgraded with versatility and efficiency in mind, equipped to optimize productivity and fuel savings.

Featured: 1050 P-Tier

The John Deere 1050 P-Tier Dozer offers extreme durability to tackle even the most rough and rugged job sites. Customers looking to move large amounts of material efficiently will benefit from the standard 168-inch semi-U blade. Along with a wider blade, the 1050 P-Tier is now configured with a redesigned blade linkage which moves the blade rearward and reduces the overall length of the machine, improving balance and grading performance. Also, several changes have been made to enhance visibility to the blade corners, ensuring operators have optimum visibility on the job. Lastly, the redesigned suspended double-bogie undercarriage reduces vibrations throughout the machine, improving ride quality and component durability.

Komatsu

Komatsu offers a diverse lineup of dozers ranging from small to large models designed for various applications and available in AX standard track; EX extended track for flat, rocky, or high-impact work; and PX for lowest ground pressure. Configurations can be tailored to meet specific applications, providing operators with performance, efficiency, and durability. Komatsu dozers are equipped with Komatsu's Parallel Link Undercarriage System (PLUS), which offers a unique rotating bushing design, durable longer-wearing links, and self-adjusting idler support with recoil spring. iMC 2.0, offered on Komatsu dozers, gives inexperienced operators the ability to run a dozer like a pro. iMC 2.0 allows operators to use automatics nearly 100 percent of the time with proactive dozing, lift layer control, and tilt steering.

Featured: D71PXi-24

The D71PXi-24 is Komatsu's largest and most powerful hydrostatic transmission (HST) dozer. This voice-of-customer-designed dozer performs in all grass to grade applications. From stripping, rough dozing, and spreading to finish grading, the D71PXi-24 utilizes iMC 2.0 automatics to maximize efficiency and productivity throughout the entire process. It is equipped with a power angle tilt (PAT) blade and 36-inch shoes providing a 5-psi ground pressure for maximum flotation and pushing ability. Komatsu's super-slant nose cab-forward design on HST dozers helps provide outstanding visibility to the cutting edges while enhancing operator comfort for a balanced ride and increased field of view.

DEVELON

DEVELON introduced its first dozer in 2022 and currently offers two models: the DD100 and DD130. Both dozers provide exceptional visibility from the cab to the front and sides of the machine. A standard rear-view (backup) camera enhances operator visibility. A six-way power-tilt angle blade moves and grades dirt, clay, and other materials. Operators can activate the blade float function for back grading or fine finishing. A blade shake button is available to quickly remove stuck-on materials. Operators can reduce the dozer's fuel consumption using an ECO mode, saving up to 5 percent without sacrificing grading performance when working in lower tractive conditions. Additional fuel-saving technologies include auto idle and auto engine shutdown. Optional features available for DEVELON dozers include 2D blade assist and 3D machine guidance and 3D machine control.

Featured: DD100 

The DEVELON DD100 dozer competes in the 140-hp and under category. Standard premium features for the DD100 include MY DEVELON Fleet Management telematics for remote monitoring, ECO mode for reduced fuel consumption, rear-view camera for enhanced visibility, blade shake for removing material stuck to the blade, and an easy-to-read, user-friendly touchscreen display for access to the dozer's functions and machine settings.

CASE Construction Equipment

CASE Construction Equipment's M Series dozers deliver contractors more precision, reliability, and control than ever before. Electro-hydraulic blade control, which reduces overall operator fatigue while increasing productivity, comes as a standard feature on most models, along with customizable blade, shuttle, and steering controls.
When equipped with CASE Universal Machine Control, the M Series dozers can be outfitted with machine control solutions from any of the three major suppliers of precision construction technology. Each dozer also features maintenance-free, Tier 4 Final emission solutions, excellent serviceability access, spacious floor-to-ceiling glass, and positive-pressure cabs that offer ample elbow room while keeping dirt out.

Featured: 850M

CASE Construction Equipment's 850M dozer offers drawbar pull of 41,010 pounds and features a 120-hp (90 kW) engine. A hydrostatic transmission ensures constant power transfer under load and allows for on-the-spot counter rotation, while electro-hydraulic blade and customizable steering and shuttle sensitivity controls, along with a load management system that adjusts the track speed based on the amount of dirt being moved, enable ease of use. The electrical and hydraulic routings enhance serviceability and durability while LED lights, Bluetooth radio, a rear-view camera, and undercarriage spade holder provide convenience and accessibility.

Caterpillar

Caterpillar's D4 to D8 dozers offer a range of technology features to help operators of varied experience levels get work done quickly and accurately. Cat Assist with ARO (attachment ready option) is a suite of features that is standard on every model. This technology package includes the following features: ARO Sensors (IMUs) on machine for GPS capability; Cat Grade with Slope Assist which holds blade angles with no GPS; Steer Assist which automatically keeps dozing straight; and Stable Blade, which makes finish dozing easier, as well as Slope Indicate, Blade Load Monitor, Traction Control, and AutoCarry. AutoRip, on the D7 and D8 only, automates ripper raise/lower and shank in/out.

Featured: D6 XE

The D6 XE is the world's first high-drive electric-drive dozer. The electric drive makes this the most fuel efficient dozer in Caterpillar's lineup and with fewer moving parts and longer service intervals, there is opportunity to save on maintenance time and money as well. The D6 XE powertrain provides up to 45 percent steering radius reduction compared to the D6. The D6 XE offers in-gear counter rotation for increased maneuverability. Cat dozers are designed with grouped service points and easy-to-access fluids and filters for an easy owning and operating experience. The cab features integrated ROPS (rollover protective structure) that provides more visibility to the work and comfortable seats with adjustments to personalize the work environment.