case 450 vs cat 941

There is a cat 941 comming up for auction near me next month and I was wonder how it compares to the case. I am hoping to use it for general use around the farm. Building some trails, clearing some bush ect. Not crazy big stuff, but big enought that I would like around 15k lbs.

Thanks for any advice/Doug

The Cat 941 is more comparable to 850 or 1150 Cases than to the 450. The 941 is a 12-13 ton machine with around 90 horsepower (And they ALL work.)

The company I work for has been in business for over 30 years and has been using Cat 941's for 23 years now. They started off with Case 850's, 1150's and eventually one 1450. They DON'T have any Cases left. The first 941 they bought, secondhand 23 years ago, was STILL a runner up to about 3 years ago. It IS a parts machine now.

The Case machines very nearly sent him broke. He found that he HAD to replace them about every 3 years as the cost of keeping them running escalated rapidly with age and usage. Remember that these machines were being asked to do a SOLID day's work, six days a week.

Now please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that Case are not a good machine. I have operated a few and enjoyed them but for different reasons from enjoying operating Cats. The Cases are faster and lighter and there-in lie some of their problems. They DO NOT have the engineering built into them that the Cats have. Because they are faster AND lighter, they tend to tear themselves to bits if not operated with due consideration for their speed and lightness.

Case machines ARE cheaper to run than COMPARABLE Cats. Original purchase price, parts and fuel consumption all play a part in this. However, the statement made earlier in this thread that Cats require a lot of specialised tools is not quite true. Yes, they do require a FEW specialised tools but you oughta see what we do with them in our workshop with just a fistful of of assorted wrenches, a hammer, a pair of pliers, a couple of screwdrivers, good 1/2" and 3/4" drive socket sets and a welder and oxy-acetylene gear.

The Cats do have one little quirk that takes some people a while to get used to. The bucket crowd lever works what appears to be 'bass-ackwards' at first glance. You push it forward to crowd the bucket and pull it back to dump. May I suggest that you take the time to get used to it if you buy one. It works in VERY well with the hoist lever that way for using one hand on both levers together.

It doesn't matter what machine you eventually buy, a ripper and a 4-in-1 bucket will make it a LOT more useful and versatile. 4-in-1 buckets do not dig or load as well as a general purpose bucket but how much loading of trucks does the average farmer or hobbyist with a track loader actually do?

To sum up, if you want a machine to do a LOT of heavy work on an on-going basis, buy the Cat. If your work is lighter and you are not working to a deadline but can take your time and go gently, the Case may well do your work. The bottom line is always dollars and cents and Cases are cheaper to run. However, there is also a need to strike a balance between the amount of time spent in the saddle and the time spent looking at it, cussing it out and skinning your knuckles repairing it. The Cat will very likely come out well in front in that department.

Now I'd bet that there will be a few dyed-in-the-wool Case fans who will not like what I have just said. TOUGH. How many of them have over 40 years in the saddle on almost every type of earthmoving equipment known to the Western world. (Excluding Mexico and Asia - #1 RB's and 'Chinese Euclids'.)

Hope this helps.

You all have a wonderful day.
Best wishes.
Deas Plant.

I've used Cat machines years ago and was quite impressed with their durability and performance. Now several years later my wife and I bought 10 acres of wooded land that we plan to build a small horse farm on. I was in a similar position as you in that I wanted a machine but it was going to have to be something I could afford to buy and operate.

After asking around and generally looking about I came to this conclusion. Cat is the best machine but the most expensive to purchase and maintain. Case is a good machine, some would say a bit more durable than John Deere, and as these things go the parts costs are on the lower end of the scale.

Another factor for me was cost of operating, or fuel usage. I believe that the Case 450 is probably pretty good on fuel. Its big enough to do what I need to do but small enough to be economical. Its also small enough for an "experienced amateur" like me to safely handle.

The bottom line for me then was that the Case 450 was the way to go. Another factor to consider is what you are going to use the machine for. If I were in the "business" and used the machine daily then I'd probably spring for the Cat.

One more factor to consider is maintenence and repair. I do most of my own work. The Case 450 with the 188 Diesel engine is really quite simple. I have found that so far while the service manual often calls for "special factory tools" for a particular operation, I have been able to get by with regular stuff I've got in the shop. I can also make some of the more simple tools. An example of this is the sleeve puller. I'll make one myself out of bar stock and threaded rod. Its nice to have a welder and torch.

The Case 450 I bought was made in 1968. Sure enough after I began to put it to serious work the engine suddenly started having lots of blowby. Thus I'm in the middle of an in-frame rebuild. These things happen and its good practice to set aside time and money for them when buying older used machines.

I'm sorry I don't have any direct experience with the Cat 941. If its anything like their articulating wheel loaders, I'm sure its a nice machine. My advice is to shop around and be honest with yourself about your abilities and expectations.

Best of luck,
John
1968 Case 450

Thanks/Doug

Thanks/Doug

How big is the 941? How old might it be?

Thanks again/Doug

On the other hand it made getting a thrown track back on the sprocket a lot easier a couple of months ago.

Any views ?

That would be fun, I find myself looking at all kinds of possibilities and different kinds of equipment. I don't have a set of torches or a welder...YET. when that does happen, I suppose that I'll be comming up with all sorts of things.

I ve only clocked 30 hours on this machine, it's relitively new to me. I purchased a CD from ebay. it was advertised as a service manual. In reality it's only a maintaince manual. It covers the basic 450 and the backhoes, can't remember all of the models. shoot me an address and I send you a copy if you like...sl

Some more details would be interesting to hear about....and not that I'm trying to get a brand name flame war going! lol

Is the cat more reliable? More effective in work?

How would I find out the specs on the 941 cat? I would appreciate if someone could let me know weight and vintage.

Thanks again/Doug