8 hours ago
When trying to figure out the value of a TD25 crawler dozer, there are a lot of variables. The price depends heavily on condition, hours, parts, and local demand. Below is a breakdown of how people assess value, common pitfalls, and tips for both buyers and sellers — plus a few real‑life stories that illustrate how pricing plays out.
Machine Background
Based on discussions and real sales:
While assessing a TD25, you might also come across scale models like First Gear TD‑25 Dozer, which reflect some of the design features of the real machine. These don’t really help with value, but they show how much enthusiasts appreciate vintage dozers.
Conclusion
A TD25’s worth really comes down to its condition, maintenance history, and how complete it is. For older dozers, realistic pricing often comes after a careful inspection — but for the right buyer, even a used or partially worn TD25 can be a solid investment. Whether you're looking to use it, restore it, or part it out, understanding the machine’s true state makes a huge difference in what it's worth.
Machine Background
- The International Harvester (IH) TD‑25 is a crawler dozer built decades ago. It's a fairly heavy-duty tracked tractor, originally used for earthmoving, farm work, or construction.
- Over time, many have been retired, junked, or rebuilt, so good ones are far less common than modern machines.
- Because of its age, value is strongly impacted by wear, availability of parts, and whether major systems like engine, undercarriage, and hydraulics are still serviceable.
- Operational condition: A TD25 that starts, runs smoothly, and can push or grade is worth far more than one that just sits. Key things people check include engine health, whether it smokes, if the transmission shifts, and how well the tracks hold up.
- Undercarriage wear: Track chain, rollers, sprockets, and shoes are expensive to replace. If those are worn, the value drops significantly.
- Hydraulics / Blade: Functioning blade and hydraulic systems (hoist, tilt) raise value. If the blade is bent or the hydraulics leak, that's a big deduction.
- Hours & Maintenance History: Low‑hour machines with records are more desirable. If the owner can show regular maintenance (filters, oil, track adjust), that helps a lot.
- Parts Availability: Because TD25s are older, some parts are hard to find or expensive. If key parts (engine, undercarriage, hydraulics) are still available or have been recently replaced, that positively affects value.
- Location & Transport: Shipping a dozer is expensive. Proximity to buyers or to shops that can service it will impact how much someone will pay.
- Market Demand: In some regions, older dozers are prized by restorers or small contractors. In others, they’re more likely to be bought for parts or scrap.
Based on discussions and real sales:
- A non‑running, parts machine with lots of wear might be worth a few thousand dollars, simply for scrap or donor value.
- A running but tired TD25, with some wear but still usable, could realistically fetch mid‑teens of thousands, depending on condition and undercarriage.
- A well‑restored or very low‑hour machine, with good paint and working systems, could command even more, especially from collectors or small contractors needing a solid vintage dozer.
- Overestimating use value: Some sellers assume their machine is worth nearly what a modern dozer is worth — but old machines lack the power, precision, and efficiency of newer ones.
- Ignoring hidden costs: Restoration often means spending heavily on undercarriage parts, hydraulics, or engine rebuild.
- Under‑documenting maintenance: Buyers often ask for service records or proof of parts replaced. If you don’t have them, you may have to discount more.
- Failing to test under load: A dozer that runs at idle but struggles under load is less valuable than one that works well during digging or pushing.
- One owner who bought a TD25 from a retired farmer said he paid little, but ended up spending several thousand just to rebuild the track rollers and replace worn shoes. He noted later that restoring it made sense because parts were still available locally.
- On another site, a collector described buying a working TD25 for vintage-machine projects; he paid more than scrap value but got a unit with good frame and engine. He later sold some parts to make his investment back.
- Get a detailed inspection: Check tracks, sprockets, engine compression, and hydraulic function.
- Ask for maintenance logs: Even partial records help.
- Bring a fluid sample: Look for metal shavings (wear) or contamination.
- Be realistic about transport: Crawler dozers are heavy, and moving one adds cost.
- Negotiate based on parts: If undercarriage is badly worn, factor in the cost of replacing major components.
- Undercarriage: The set of components under a tracked machine — tracks, rollers, idlers, chain.
- Track Shoes: The metal plates that make up the track.
- Hydraulics: The system used to power blade lifting, tilting and other movements.
- Restoration: Rebuilding major parts to bring the machine back to usable or near-original condition.
While assessing a TD25, you might also come across scale models like First Gear TD‑25 Dozer, which reflect some of the design features of the real machine. These don’t really help with value, but they show how much enthusiasts appreciate vintage dozers.
Conclusion
A TD25’s worth really comes down to its condition, maintenance history, and how complete it is. For older dozers, realistic pricing often comes after a careful inspection — but for the right buyer, even a used or partially worn TD25 can be a solid investment. Whether you're looking to use it, restore it, or part it out, understanding the machine’s true state makes a huge difference in what it's worth.
