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I'm not sure if you're only looking for a new machine, or would consider an older one in good or possibly refurbished condition. I don't know much about the newer stuff, but here is a basic rundown on the most common makes in the used dept: John Deere 350 or 450 size dozer or loader. Overall excellent reputation, well built and I believe the 450 size should just fit into your weight requirement. jdemaris said that Deere was actually buying up old 450's, refurbishing them and reselling for ~$70k (??) because they don't make them in that size anymore (I think I have that right). Case 450 size dozer or loader (not sure if they made a 350?). Again these machines have excellent reputations for durability and ease of maintenance (i.e. no special tools are needed to fix them like Caterpillar requires, for instance). Komatsu and "gray market" Japanese machines - I don't know much about Komatsu machines, other than they have pretty much the best quality available. Komatsu is acknowledged worldwide as the equal, and in some cases, to be better than Caterpillar. Komatsu makes excellent little dozers and loaders that are well within your weight requirement. "Gray market" are Japanese (and maybe some Korean) machines that were originally built and sold in Japan, but were later shipped to the USA for sale (Komatsu and Mitsubishi are probably the most common brands). Parts availability can be a bit sketchy for some machines from what I've heard, but then most informed people who have them say that parts are not a problem at all. As long as you know the model number, a good dealer can usually get whatever it is you need. Plus the price of the gray machine is usually *very* attractive compared to a US specific model. And again, the quality is superb. If you're a professional who will be using this machine to make a living with, I'd probably go with one of these domestic or gray market Japanese machine (Komatsu or Mitsubishi). If you're not afraid of antiques which can be restored to like new condition, then IH has the T-340 and TD-5, both of which would fall within your weight category. And even the TD-6 which in dozer form would also be light enough. Allis Chalmers (AC) and others also make good old machines that would fill the bill. Of course all of these old machines would pose a bit of a challenge getting parts for and would generally be a bit slower than newer stuff, but also much cheaper and easier to work on too. I have a '69 IH150 loader (21,000lbs) and it has been great, but I just use it for my own lot, and not to make a living with. As far as what type of machine you need, dozer or loader? It really depends on what you'll be doing most and what type of soils you will be working in usually. Soft, muddy soils don't support the weight of loaders very well (dont ask how I know that!). Loaders are considerably heavier than dozers of the same size, and usually have low profile treads (grousers) that don't have the traction that the lighter, heavily grousered dozers do. But then obviously a loader can do a whole bunch of things a dozer can't, so it's a tradeoff. I have a loader with a 4-1 bucket and it is incredible. I can do just about anything with it, although there are some things a dozer would be better for. But generally speaking a loader with a 4-1 bucket is much more versatile than a dozer only machine. Komatsu makes a very nice little loader with wide base pyramidal tracks and 4-1 bucket that gets around good in soft soils. I wish I had one of those. good luck
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