Starting out with a typo right away, there, SG? Well, I actually meant that turn of phrase to say that these early Struck Dozers were only available in kit form, but they were also loved by kids and kids of all ages. They’re small enough for kids to use, but big enough for most regular yard tasks. This 1970s (?) Struck MD-1600 Mini-Dozer can be found listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Baden, Pennsylvania, and they’re asking $3,450. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Gary for the tip!
Kit approved, get it? Kit form, approved by kids? Tough crowd. Enough of that. You can see how small this mini-dozer is in the photo above with the Subaru scale in the background. It should be around four feet long and 39 inches wide, give or take. One thing about kits, I mean, kids using them: the literature says that kids should never use these Mini-Dozers without adult supervision, and that’s probably a good idea. This one appears to have a few modifications from stock, but as a kit, builders could often change things depending on how they wanted them to work or look. Here’s the coolest (but a little choppy) YouTube video you’ll see today.
The fenders have either been removed or were never installed. I’d probably want something over those just in case a log or something kicks up over the side. Although with some old tractors, fenders can be referred to as widow-makers, just for that reason. My dad used to call them that because he knew someone who was killed when a log got trapped between the fender and wheel, and when it got to the top, the top half broke off and clunked the driver in the head, and that was it. Ok, maybe I’d leave the fenders off of this one. You can see the aftermarket gas tank, and I’d want to install some sort of battery box cover, but it looks great overall, doesn’t it? Here are some plans and an assembly manual to check out if you have time. You can see the angled fenders on the bottom of page 22.
The C.F. Struck Company of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, started making mini dozers in 1967, and the MD-Series (1200 or 1600, depending on the engine) was made from 1972 through 1986. Both had a Tecumseh engine, the 1200 a 12-hp, and the 1600 a 16-hp version, but there was one other big difference: the 1200 had a single-speed forward and reverse, and the 1600 had two forward speeds and one reverse. At 700 pounds, they aren’t super heavy, and the added oomph with the extra 4 horsepower would be nice. The seller says this engine has been rebuilt, everything is in great shape, and there’s a new battery. Power is sent through a series of six belts and two chains to both tracks, and you steer as you’d expect to steer a bulldozer. The blade manually moves side to side, and the seller used this rig for moving dirt around in their yard. Would any of you have use for a small but tough bulldozer like this Struck MD-1600? I sure would.
Well, it’s no terlet,,,kidding, this is really neat. I had a blade on the front of my Simplicity tractor, and I used that more than anything. I made a dirt track, with jumps, in an adjacent field for my dirt bikes, and graded the drive, and of course, in the winter, saved a lot of shoveling. I’ve run big dozers, and are not the best for small areas, this is perfect. You may look a bit silly operating this, but saves the old back, something we ALL deal with. This is a great addition to any rural setting, you can’t go wrong here.
This is VERY COOL!!
Be fun around the house!!
Oh how I wanted one of these as a kid.
My dad and I even went to look at some.
The seller (can’t remember if he was a dealer or just had the 2 different models sitting around) told us that while the belt-driven Mini Dozer is neat, it was not particularly useful for anything but very small tasks.
The other model (I think there was only 2 models then) at the time was the Magnetrac, which had actual transaxle and could be equipped with hydraulic implements, etc, and could tackle more substantial earth-moving tasks.
We never did get one, Dad bought an old JD 420 dozer that served our needs.
It seems like the $3450 ask would be better spent towards small garden tractor with a loader.
Would any of you have use for a small but tough bulldozer like this Struck MD-1600?
Scotty. That is a very loaded question. Especially with all the snow we’ve been getting lately. I really am impressed. Its worth the time to go through the instruction/assembly manual. Man!!! Talk about a great winter project to do in the garage building this thing. Belts and pulleys are not as weak as you may think as long as everything is in good shape. I really dig this write up Scotty. ( Pun intended insert rimshot here…….). I’m really glad Gary found this, and really really glad you wrote this up. Thank you very much. I really enjoyed it. And you got me wanting one now.