Re-Skinning a Caterpillar D6T Dozer Blade

When Ritchie Bros had a Caterpillar D6T dozer lined up for auction, the blade presented a problem — it was worn thin, cracked, and no longer holding its crown. For a buyer, that’s a red flag. For Maude Diesel, it was an opportunity to deliver a high-quality onsite solution that restored strength, improved wear life, and presented the machine auction-ready.

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The Problem

The D6T blade had:

• Severe wear across the lower third of the blade surface

• Cracks through the vertical ribs and around push-arm bosses

• End bits and cutting edges beyond serviceable limits

• Loss of crown, causing poor material flow and uneven cutting

Leaving it in this state risked reduced performance and a lower resale value. The challenge was to rebuild the blade onsite, safely and efficiently, without removing it from the machine.

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The Process

1. Preparation & Inspection

• Machine isolated, blade secured, and hot-work permits in place

• Full inspection and chalk mark-up of wear zones, cracks, and cut lines

2. Strip-Down & Repairs

• Removed worn cutting edges, end bits, and hardware

• Air-arc gouged cracks and completed full-penetration weld repairs on ribs and bosses

• Ground and prepped surfaces for new blade plate installation

3. Re-Skinning the Blade

• Heat-formed abrasion-resistant (AR) plate to match the OEM crown profile

• Dogged and braced plate in position for correct camber

• Welded using pre-heat and low-hydrogen FCAW, sequenced to control distortion

• Added wear strips to strengthen high-wear zones

4. Reassembly & Geometry Checks

• Installed new cutting edges and end bits, torqued to spec

• Verified crown and alignment with laser straight-edge

• Completed hydraulic cycle testing and final torque checks

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The Outcome

• Restored strength: New AR skin and rib repairs delivered a solid structural foundation

• Improved wear life: Reinforced wear strips and new ground-engaging tools mean longer service intervals

• Better performance: Correct crown restored material flow and cutting accuracy

• Auction-ready finish: A professional onsite repair that lifted both function and presentation

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Why It Matters

For equipment going under the hammer, presentation and performance directly affect buyer confidence and sale price. By re-skinning the D6T blade onsite, Maude Diesel ensured the dozer was both mechanically sound and visually ready, all while minimising downtime and transport costs.

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Need Similar Work Done?

At Maude Diesel Service, we specialise in onsite heavy equipment repairs across Geelong and regional Victoria. From dozer blade rebuilds to buckets, rippers, and structural welding, we bring the expertise and equipment to get your gear back to work quickly and reliably.

📞 Get in touch today to discuss your next repair or rebuild project.