Any CAT Dozer fanatics? Model ??'s

[UKRugbyman77]

I'm looking at buying an older model Cat dozer. Most likely early '70 - early 80's, either a D6 or D7 (probably D6). Does anybody know the significance of the letter that follow the D6, such as D6F, or D6H, D6G... etc? I looked at cat's website, but it just lists new machines, which I WON'T be looking at:--) I don't know whether it designates year possibly, horsepower, or options. If anyone can help me out, or point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[illflem]

D-6 is easier than a 7 if you need to haul it and will do just as much work. In Montana at least you need a flag car with a 7, not with a 6. The letter designates options, only one I'm sure of is H = high track.

 

[bdaniel]

I think the leter designates major revisions. My dad has a D6C and I think it was built in the 60's I'm pretty sure the letter increments with major changes every few years.



Bobby

 

[Charley]

D6H is not a high track, D6R is. The letter designates upgraded models. D6R high track is the latest or at least was a couple of years back. D6H is the one you will find most commonly for sale and they are very good machines. As was said the 6 will do nearly as much much work as the 7 and you can haul if without a permit because of weight. Expect to pay 40 to 50 large for a good one. You may find some D6Rs at good prices these days as they have been out a few years. If you are going to work on high steep hills the high track machines balance a little better. A new R will sell for $250,000 with the good options.



Charley

 

[BigYellowIron]

Tell me what you need to know?



The Letter does indicate the model where as the D6 or D7 indicates the size. The letter has nothing to do with the options.

The D6 and d7 are powered by a 3306 engine. The earlier d6's were non turboed but all of the d7's were.



If you find one give me the serial number and arrangement number and I can tell you what all options that machine has.



Any questions you have If I cannot answer them I can get answers.



I work at the Cat dealer here in Kansas City. hence the name "BigyellowIron"



Adam

 

[UKRugbyman77]

D6 sounds like a winner

Thanks folks,

I thought H was hi-track as well, but I saw quite a few that were designated as such but were flat-tracks. After more reasearch, it looks as if they came out with a higher letter after so many years, I just didn't know if there were several "D6" 's out there with significantly different hp ratings.

Looks like a D6D or D6C is what I'm looking at. Hopefully I can find one for a tad over thirty. I've looked at several and they seem to be in this range.

BigYellowIron - I'll definitley keep that resource in mind.

Thanks a lot.

 

[illflem]

I figured H was high also because I bought one at auction, 2200 hours for $40k, used it for four years and sold it for $52k





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[UKRugbyman77]

The good stuff

Illflem: That's some PURTY GOOD handywork!!

I love my "Dodge Brother", but if you find out how to get that turnaround on him... LET ME KNOW!

 

[illflem]

UK, I lucked out at that auction. It was a very large bankrupt farm on a cold raining day back when the farm economy was in the pits. There were over 100 tractors auctioned that day with about 50 bidders, some of the wheel tractors went for less than $100. A lot of implements went unsold. I could have sold the 6 for more but didn't want to get too greedy, it served it's purpose for me.

 

[NVR FNSH]

What is the reason for a high track vs flat track on a dozer? Earlier someone wrote that a high track balances better in the steep stuff but that seems contradictory to me. I'm guessing a high track has a higher CG?



Just Curious - I don't know the first thing about dozers.....



Brian

 

[BigYellowIron]

I belive the main reasons that the high track was developed was to keep the final drive out of the water and mud. The type of seals that cat uses are called duo-cone seals. They use these seals where there is rotary motion. When water or mud get on these seals and then freeze they tend to tear the rubber, then they leak. This was a common problem. The tracks are longer and that helps to lengthen the life. These are just a couple of reasons I'm sure there are more, I will find out.



The CG is actually lower on the high track. Just go open the side doors on the engine compartment. the top of the engine is level with the bottom of the door. The cab makes them look top heavy along with the sheet metal hood.



The roller frames are one of the heavyest parts and they are inches from the ground. The blade and push arms are low. the transmission and bevel gear are right in the back as low as it can be and still mount up.



Yes they do look top heavy but you just have to look at them close and see how they are made then it all comes to you.



Talk to you guys later!



Adam

 

[dshockley]

The high track design has several advatages. One of those was mentioned before and there are others. The main reason for the high track design, at least the reason that they talk about at work (I work at the CAT technical center in Peoria), is sevicability. With the low track design it takes about 16 hours to get the transmission out and reinstall. With the high track design, you can do it 30-60 minutes. These times vary, but you get the idea. This reduces the cost of a transmission problem in both time lost to downtime and labor. The high track design also leads to a more productive weight distribution, better track life, and a much cooler looking tractor.



The single letter designates major design revision. There are currently several suffixes that follow the model. These refer to special configurations.



Best luck finding what you are looking for,

Dan

 

[Johnboy3]

A couple of other reasons for the high drive is... . (we just bought a new D6M so I heard this crap for weeks before we bought it )



1. Sprocket wear is a lot better because they aren't lifting the track up over itself all the time. The chains rest right on the sprocket.



2. With the final drive being up in the air, it isn't always slamming on the ground or on rocks. They are suppose to live much longer when they aren't taking that beating all the time.



3. The overall machine ride is very smooth. (sprocket no banging on the ground)



4. My own personal reason, shoveling the tracks is so much easier!

 

[Mog]

The high track has differential steering, which keeps power to both tracks while you are steering. It slows one track down to steer, this allows you to push more. On older ones one track would stop and the other track whould turn the machine.

 

[dshockley]

Not all elevated sprocket tractors are differential steer.



Dan

 

[BHaner]

D8K

Can't go wrong with more power

 

[NVR FNSH]

Thanks for the education guys. Not that I'll ever get to drive a dozer but I was always curious. Gotta love big diesel machines



Brian

 

[UKRugbyman77]

Another Question raised

OK, this "differential steer" is bringing up another question for ME. I haven't worked much on a Caterpillar, but am used to driving a Dresser TD-15 (late 70's model), which is about the size of a D5, I think. This tractor seems to do what you guys are describing as differential steering, if you pull the steering lever back slightly, the track just slows down. Only if you pull the lever all the way back, does it brake. Maybe it's "clutching" instead of this differential steering thang, but it "appears" that it's still pulling on that side. Either way about it, I'm CONFUSED (which is not an entirely new concept in my case). With that in mind, do ANY of the flat track Cats have the differential steering, or is it just the newer models.

thanks fellas

 

[dshockley]

Currently, differential steer is not available on anything but high sprocket tractors, however the same functionality is available on the flat track tractors in the form of hydrostatics. The main distinction between clutch and brakes machines and those capable of "differential steer capabilities" is that these machines are able to counter-rotate their tracks. The resulting advantage of these machines is that they can turn using full power because they are not loosing power to the clutch or brakes. This can result in a large increase in productivity. The dresser described in a previous post is a clutch and brake machine.



Dan

 

[fbaurley]

case 850

What would a case 850 be . the driveline controls are all hydraulic , but they dont seem to have any power steer affects. Does any one know of a good website with all of the dozer steering systems and setups.



Jon