I live in a part of the world where dozers are part of the landscape and used a lot.

Any dozer above D3 size that is not fitted with rippers is useless to us in timber/tree clearing work. You virtually never see a machine without rippers here and in any dirt work you will flat out not get a job without rippers.

I know it a  'here' thing but every time I see a dozer half dressed I think of this.

So in reply to the OP, any dozer properly equipped will be a good machine so long as regular maintenance and care has been a feature of its past.

Mike.