How Much Does a Bulldozer Cost?

To do heavy-duty work like land clearing or creating a level surface, you may need to use a piece of heavy machinery like a bulldozer. Or, if you own a business that regularly needs to perform that type of work, you may be wondering if it’s time to invest in a bulldozer. So, how much does one of these pieces of equipment cost? 

It typically costs between $30,000 and $350,000 for a new bulldozer, depending on the size and horsepower. Buying a used bulldozer will usually save you about 40% off the price for a new machine. There are several types and sizes of bulldozers with varying price points depending on your needs. 

What’s the Average Cost for a Bulldozer?

A bulldozer can be a significant investment, as they are big, expensive pieces of equipment. Still, if it can help you work more productively and you usually rent or lease heavy machinery instead, it might be a smart move to consider buying a bulldozer instead. 

A new bulldozer costs, on average, around $150,000-$200,000. Of course, the price really depends on the type of bulldozer you buy, its size, and its power. It’s possible to buy a used bulldozer for much less, while a very large, heavy-duty dozer may cost several hundred thousand (or even millions) of dollars. 

The most common bulldozers are those models with 110 to 130 horsepower, and these typically run between $75,000 and $175,000. 

The actual cost for a brand new bulldozer can fluctuate dramatically depending on the specific model you bujy. For example, a mini dozer (with 50 horsepower or less) may cost around $30,000. 

On the other hand, a large bulldozer with over 350 horsepower may run well over $1 million or more depending on the features and capabilities. 

How Much is it To Rent a Bulldozer?

If you don’t need a bulldozer on a regular basis or you only need to use it temporarily, it may not be necessary to purchase one outright. There are options to rent or lease heavy equipment like bulldozers, but the rates can be quite high in some cases. 

The rate to rent a bulldozer depends on where you rent and who you rent from, the bulldozer’s make and model, and your geographic location. 

Sample Rental Prices for a Bulldozer

Source: United Rentals

However, in a place like Los Angeles, the rental prices may be higher than a more rural area. The time of year and how much demand there is for the equipment may also impact the cost. 

Of course, while the rental fee is much lower that what you’d pay to buy a bulldozer, you have to consider how long you’ll need the equipment and how frequently you expect to rent. If you’re going to need to use the dozer for several months at $7,000+ per month, the rental charges will add up quickly. 

Another cost to consider when renting a bulldozer is the delivery fee. You’ll probably also have to pay a pickup fee when you’re done using the equipment. Sometimes, the fee might be higher if the job site is more than a certain number of miles away. Delivery and pickup fees can add $1,000 or more to your rental charges, so it’s important to find out the rates up front. 

How Much Does a Used Bulldozer Cost?

If you don’t want to purchase a full price, brand new bulldozer, a piece of used machinery may be a good alternative. Like new dozers, the actual price will depend on many factors like the make and model, how old it is, the condition, usage, and horsepower, just to name a few. 

Geographic location and the time of year can also play a role, since there may be more demand for bulldozers during months when a lot of construction is going on. 

A used bulldozer could cost anywhere from around $10,000 to as much as several hundred thousand dollars depending on the size and condition. 

Certain brand names are typically more expensive than some others. For example a Cat bulldozer may be worth more than a different brand machine. Still, most machines that are just a few years old and don’t have excessive use will be priced in the $50,000 to $175,000 range. 

What To Look For When Buying A Used Bulldozer

How Much Does a Cat Bulldozer Cost?

Cat is one of the most trusted names in heavy machinery. For that reason, their equipment is sometimes more expensive than other brands. Still, they’re known for producing high-quality products that will last a long time. 

Cat makes small, medium, and large dozers, as well as wheel dozers. Wheel dozers are good for jobs that require more travel between sites and are a versatile option for certain job types. 

Cat bulldozers start at around $100,000 with some models priced at close to $600,000 or more. Like any other piece of equipment, your price will primarily depend on the dozer’s size and power.

Here are some of the specs for Cat bulldozers: 

Cat requires you to request a price quote from the company or through an authorized retailer, but you can expect their small dozers to start around $110,000. Medium dozers may run anywhere from $300,000 to $400,000. Large dozers start around $900,000 and may cost $2 million or more.

How Much Does a D8 Bulldozer Cost?

A D8 bulldozer is a medium track-style tractor manufactured by Caterpillar. The D8 bulldozer has over 300 horsepower and is designed for heavy-duty jobs. It’s one of the most popular bulldozer models available. Medium-large bulldozers like the D8 are typically used in industrial projects or major construction jobs. 

A Cat D8 bulldozer costs around $350,000 or more brand new. For a used D8 that’s not too old and in good condition, you should expect to pay between $250,000 and $300,000. However, it’s possible to find an older used machine for under $50,000. 

The D8 is popular because of its versatility. It’s good for all kinds of jobs and projects like clearing land, scraping, ripping, and, of course, dozing. 

There are additional attachments and features available for the D8 dependinno the type of work you need to perform. Adding these extra components will raise the price pretty significantly from the $350k base price for a new unit. 

Bulldozer Attachments and Accessories

Bulldozers are extremely versatile and can be used on all kinds of jobs, especially when you add accessories and attachments to expand its capabilities. These features can increase your productivity and allow you to do more jobs than you could perform otherwise, but they come at a cost. 

Bulldozer attachments typically cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for each one. However, it’s possible to find used equipment at a discount. The used price will depend on the equipment’s age, condition, and use. 

Some of the accessories you may want to consider include:

• Augers
• Backhoes
• Blades
• Brooms
• Brush Cutters
• Buckets
• Cold Planers
• Couplers
• Forks
• Tillers
• Mulchers
• Rakes
• Shears
• Snow Plow
• Stump Grinders
• Trenchers 
• Compactors 

Depending on your budget and the type of work you plan to do with the bulldozer, these extra attachments could be good investments for your equipment.

The Bottom Line

Purchasing a bulldozer is a huge investment and the cost could be into the millions of dollars. Still, there are plenty of options out there at all different price points, so you should be able to find something that fits your budget. 

Purchasing a brand new bulldozer has plenty of benefits. You’ll have top-of-the-line quality equipment, the newest technology, and a manufacturer’s warranty. However, buying good quality used equipment is a great way to save some money and own the machinery you need. 

When you buy heavy equipment, there are financial benefits you may enjoy. For one, it can be a cost saver over time if you frequently use the equipment in your work. Rather than paying rental or leasing fees, you make payments on a bulldozer that you’ll eventually own. 

In addition, you could qualify for certain tax credits if you purchase the bulldozer for your business. However, you’ll need to consider the added costs of repairs and maintenance, since you’ll be responsible for any upkeep on the machine once you own it. 

If you’re trying to figure out how to make such a large purchase, there are many options out there for financing. Depending on your creditworthiness, you may be able to get a desirable interest rate by financing through a dealership, or you can check with a local bank or credit union for lending options.