Can I Bomb a D2 Catepillar?

[TXCTD]

I just got a free D2 Cat Dozer from the ranch I work at. Don't know what year it is but it is pretty old. Is it possible to bomb this thing? If so, How? It is in good shape and runs great, but more power is always better, Right?



Also does anyone know about what one of these would weigh? I know it is hard to say not knowing the year, but it has an 8 ft blade and is about 10. 5 ft long.



I definately have Bombitis.

 

[BigYellowIron]

I'm sure its non turboed, It would not bomb well.



I would leave it alone.



Adam

 

[n7gxz]

Aaron,



I have a 1954 D2 also. I have not tried to do any bombing to it. If you can locate the serial number I can look up the year and also get you some more information. There should be a serial number located at the back left corner of the block just below the head. It should also be on the upper left corner of the diff center section. Depending on which model you have the serial number should look like one of these, 3Jxxxxx, 5Jxxxxx, 4Uxxxxx, or 5Uxxxxx. The first two digits are the model series and the last numbers to the right of the J or U is the serial number and will be up to 5 digits long.



As for the weight, mine comes in at 10,000+ with a 6. 5' Cat S2 blade. A 10' blade does not sound quite right for a D2, do you know what the manufature of the blade is? Any pictures?



Kevin

 

[QRTRHRS]

Don't touch the ignition wires when your running the pony motor to start it or it will "bomb" you.

 

[TXCTD]

Kevin, thanks for the info. I found the serial number on the block and it is 5J9699. Don't know who manufactured the blade but it comes in just under 8 ft across. I found the operators manual for the tractor, but it says nothing about year or specs, just how to lube it and drive it. I also found a book for a No. 2 Tool Bar and a No. 44 Hydraulic Controller. So I am assuming the tool bar is a Cat and therefore so is the blade? Any more info you can dig up would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks

 

[illflem]

I've seen quite a few old D-2s in Montana with a larger than normal blade made by an outfit in Great Falls. Their purpose was to push snow, too big to use for much else on that small of a tractor.

 

[TXCTD]

I don't know if this blade is oversized, but it can move some pretty big piles of cow manure. I spent all day on that thing yesterday and I was impressed with the power. It don't hold a candle to our D7, but hey, I will take what I can get.

 

[BFaoro]

Jelous

I am so jealous !! I have always wanted a little dozer! Ever since I was a little kid and dad would let me ride with him on an old D7. It was an older model with a main clutch and 2 hand clutch/brakes !! You bum !! My wife said I can't have one till the kids are out of college, my youngest is 9

 

[Blakers]

Re: Jelous

Originally posted by BFaoro

My wife said I can't have one till the kids are out of college, my youngest is 9

I would NOT put up with that! I was BORN with crawler tractors. See my Cletrac.org site.



When I was a baby and would not go to sleep, my gramps would take me into his semi tractor - it was a late 50s model International with a Cummins! Just hearing that engine idle would put me right to sleep.



Blake

 

[n7gxz]

Aaron,



You are the proud owner of a 1947 5J 50" gauge (track width) with a 3. 75"x5" bore and stroke wet liner engine. The 1947 5J's went from 9273 to 10561 at which point they changed to 5U's. Cat still has a number of parts availible for them just take the serial number in and they can look it up in the fich. NAPA is a good place to get filters from when you need to get them. Mine is a serial number 5U13247. They are good little tractors and fun to operate. I'll try and find a picture of the tool bar setup. The tool bar can be swang around and used facing the rear with attachments like rippers and harrows attached to it.



Aaron, I found a picture of a 5U with a tool bar dozer on it and a spec sheet on the J-series. Send me a PM with you email address and I'll send them to you.



Kevin

 

[HVAC]

Turbo Charge It!

Call Pius at Bell Turbo in Stockton California about adding a turbo. He did a system for a friend with a D4.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Senior Citizen

Well, one must consider how much fuel & turbocharging a 56-year old motor can handle!

 

[TXCTD]

Well after doing a little research I got to agree with Vaughn. This thing is better left alone. It is plenty of fun to drive, so we will just leave it at that.



HVAC, I look into the turbo idea and found that the only reason that they were ever attempted on the early Cats was to normalize the engine at high altitudes. Being as its home wil be in College Station, TX, I don't think it needs any normalizing. Plus the transmissions are supposed to cause trouble if too much power is put through them. If I had a lot of money to throw at it, I would definately attempt it, but I don't. Heck the only reason I have it is because it was free.

 

[n7gxz]

Something else to think about is in first gear (there are five by the way) you get a final gear ratio of about 75 to 1 at the drive sprockets. So if you can keep the tracks from slipping you can move a heck of a lot with ratio and torque that the engine puts out at redline (1600 RPM). Remember also that these tractors where originally designed as a pulling tractor and not a pushing tractor. I've had mine pulling a log 32' long with a butt cut of nearly 36" in third gear.



Kevin

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by n7gxz

Remember also that these tractors where originally designed as a pulling tractor and not a pushing tractor.

Kevin's got that right. An army of D-2s were used in the Butte and Anaconda mines in Montana to pull ore cars before they were replaced by trucks. More than likely that's where Aaron's also started it's career.

Neighbor has one from the Anaconda, runs great but the 1/4'' thick steel brake and clutch pedals are worn down to only two inches long and are pointed. Makes me wonder how many pairs of boots got worn out to wear down the metal that much.

Wish I had a picture, these pedals are a true testament to a lot of use.

 

[TXCTD]

Illflem, My tractor actually started life on the ranch. It was bought new by the ranch owner father. It has had a very light duty on the ranch since they have always had bigger tractors around. It was well maintained except for the fact that it sat outside most of the time. With some new paint and a new seat, it would look almost new. Thanks for all the info guys, it has been a great help in getting my learning process of these tractors started.



It's funny cause I didn't grow up around tractors or diesels, but I always thought they were cool. That's why I bought a diesel truck, because it sounded like a tractor. Now I am finding tons of uses for it and have even acquired my own tractor. It's like heaven. My parents are still trying to figure out whose son I am because they think I am nuts.

 

[C. Harlan]

Hey Aaron!! How's life up there?? Thanks for the pics from Navasota in Jan... I am now the proud owner of a NV5600, thanks to that race day! Oh well... Shoot me a PM sometime!!



-Chris-