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.
Heck I’d love to roll out of my garage here in Idaho with this little beast, my neighbors all dealing with their rototiller like walk-behind snow blowers. Thanks for bringing us some of the most unique vehicles, Scotty.
There have been a number of mini dozers over the years. I came across one in a shed back in the late 70’s it was a Windolph made in Portland, OR in the late 40’s. Had a big Wisconsin motor and the blade was operated manually with a long lever arm. Clark also built one during WW II called the Clark Airlift which was designed to be dropped by parachute into combat areas for quick clearing.
I’d love to tool around the garden plot with one of these They kinda remind me of the early “Power Horse” tractors that were promoted to replace horses, used with horse-drawn implements.
As I recall, you cannot buy these kinds of kits any more, but I’ve perused Ali Express often enough to know that the Chinese can supply any size and any type of machine desired. Caveat emptor.
Seems like a simple enough device, one might be able to roll their own. Probably easier to put a blade on the quad, but not as much fun.
I cant imagine this would be useful for anything except hobby puttering. With a dozer, blade down force is everything. I always grab the largest piece of equipment that will do the job, bigger is better. You would never be able to cut any compacted soil with this. I’m not sure it would even push snow, a walk behind snowblower would be far more practical.
Here is a better vid of one in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCYfL3_DYII
I do recall these in back of comic books BITD, it is interesting to see that there is actually the real thing.
I recently inherited this Mead Speedcat from an elderly neighbor who had become like a dad to me. He had it wrapped up in tarps for the 40 years I knew him – I kept bugging him to start it and play with it. Several years ago I got it running and put it in his barn where it sat until his death. Now I’ll have to take it out and play in the dirt in his memory!
I like hearing experiences like that 427 Turbojet. And I’m glad its got a good new home with you, and you’re enjoying it. Ever heard of Mead, but it looks terrific!!!
This is frustrating. Four in a row where my comments won’t register. I guess they must have been a lie anyways…
Whats even more frustrating Geomechs is I like reading your posts. I always learn something new from you.
You’re not alone, Geomechs. Happens to me all the time. ARRRGH!
could have used that to plow all snow we just had!
I think i remember seeing an ad or article in Popular Mechanics showing one of these in the back of a station wagon, probably an Impala or similar full size wagon.
I saw them in Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated back in the 60s. I remember showing the ads to Dad, who I thought just dismissed them. Later, I saw some brochures in Dad’s filing cabinet so I know that he read them and sought more information…
“…started making mini dozers in 1967…”
I remember seein them on back cover (popular mechanics?) when I had time for mag.s back then. Not now.
AND
Would I use it? “No”. The shorter the trac the harder to grade a level (trac points up? blade goes up. Gotta B good to use. Trac goes down? blade makes a divot…
Might B a good hauler in sno? 350 gal sap collector (this very timea yr) on way back to the arch from sugar bush?… about it round here.
A friend of mine has one of these which I believe was once his father’s.
He uses it to plow his driveway in the winter and then it sits when it is warm out.
I believe he parks it in two big trays full of oil in the “off season” to fight off rust on the tracks.
I never had the opportunity to run it but it sure looks like fun.
Good find, Gary and good write up, Scotty.
~Lothar
I remember watching my aunt using one of these to clear snow off of their gravel drive in Kentucky in the early 70’s and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen.
The massive D8’s and D9’s that I saw my father and uncles operating terrified me. But this… this was just my size.
I begged to drive it but for some reason she wouldn’t let a 6 year old loose on it. She did, however, let me sit in her lap as she finished clearing the driveway and even let me work the blade. You couldn’t tell me anything for a week. I too, was an operator. Just like Pops.
I haven’t thought of that in years until I saw this. Thanks for jogging a good memory.
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