You did that exactly right! I’m a retired Cat mechanic of 50 years and even back in the day, customers would tear up the pinion and ring gear because they didn’t understand the pinion brake and clutch mechanism. I also noticed you gave the pinion just a touch of clutch to get the pinion and ring gear teeth to align. Also have to compliment you on the restoration and paint “correct period color” job. Looks like a 44 hyd. Control on the front as well...brings back many good memories👍👍👍☝️
Thank you for this video. I have a D-2 that was my dad’s. It’s parked inside my tractor shed. It hasn’t been run since the early 1990s. I’m working on getting the pony motor operational. The magneto had no spark, so a buddy of mine got it working for me. Next I have to take a look at the carburetor. When I was a little kid in the 1970s we had a Cat 955 high lift. My dad used to let me drive it around the farm when I was 9 or 10 years old.
Used to love watching my dad start up his D2. His uncle bought it new to have my dad do custom plowing. Made some money and kept his then teenaged nephew out of trouble. Dad ran that Cat like it was an extension of his body. He, too, was very safety cautious and respectful of the engines. Great memories!
In the mid 1960's, when I was a toddler living in my native Tulare County, California, my dad made a living for the family by doing farm work for the landlord. Sometimes my dad would take me with him when he went to start up the landlord's tractor or bulldozer. I wish now that I'd asked my dad what make and model the dozer was. All I can remember is that starting It was a multi step process, just like in this video. Watching this brought back fond memories from a half century ago. Thanks for sharing.
It truly is small world. I was raised and still live in Tulare County. I have a lot of fond memories of riding on equipment with my Dad. He did a lot of work all over the County.
My grandparents lived next to an undeveloped field and one day another old man bought that property. He brought in an old bulldozer to clear the land with, but as far as I know, he never got that old dozer fired. He worked on it every day that summer, and I started going over to talk with him. He was about 70 and his wife would come with him every day. He worked and worked and worked on that machine, just grinding away on the pony motor. I learned a lot from him, asking about how this or that worked while he toiled away. All summer long, that poor pony motor just ground itself and the main motor over and over and over, but never any fire. I eventually moved back home the next winter and I never knew what happened to that old man and his dozer, but I hope he got her running and got his land cleared. I remember him fondly, and seeing videos about old dozers like this remind me of him. :)
Our family farmed in the central valley of California from the 30’s through the 90’s. We had a lot of similar equipment to what you restore. It’s great to be able to see and hear some of the machines thatI grew up around. We had a D4, D6, D8 and D9 Caterpillars. None of them were very new but they looked like some of the ones that you have. We also had several farmall M’s and H’s and since we farmed cotton, even a couple of M cotton pickers. Thanks for making these videos and thanks for the memories ! 👍
I don't own one, but I could start one now! Very clear instructions, no BS, and we get to see a bit of the machinery. See? Not every RU-vid video needs to be 10 minutes of some guy rambling on about things nobody cares about (not talking about you, you did a good job).
This is a very good video. Everything is done right beginning with "securing the tractor", transmission shifted into neutral, flywheel clutch engaged, brakes set. I am impressed. I operated machines like this when I was a young man.
EXCELLENT video&thank you. There were still quite a few pony motor started heavy equipment pieces back in the mid 1960s here in Western Wyoming when I broke in. This video brought back lots of memories. The operators in those days could do some amazing things with their equipment. Much respect to them, and to you sir!
My grandfather owned 3J796 and 3J2984SP, and later a 7U D4. All ag tractors and none with electric start on the pony. I’ve skinned a lot of fingers pulling on starting ropes. You have a sharp rig there.
A+ for your instructions. I wish I had seen your tutorial before I went to look at a '48 D4. When the seller pulled the starter rope, I pointed out that the main engine was engaged by the fact that the fan blade would also turn. He said that was the only way to start the crawler, otherwise the gears would grind if he attempted to engage after the pony was started. Oil spurted out from the flywheel and the hydraulic pump leaked fluid all over. Too many issues for this dilettante so I passed.
Wow. Brings back some military memories. Back in 1963 I was introduced to a cable D-6 dozen with the pony motor. It had a rope pull start. Moved up to a Cable D-8 with a pony motor. The D-8 pulled a cable scraper. Never did feel comfortable with that cable scraper because the cables weren't in the greatest of shape. Went overseas where I operated a cable backhoe. Your hands and feet were always busy on that cable backhoe. On day i spotted a hydraulic excavator being operated by a civilian. I immediately realized that this meant the end of the old cable backhoes.
Thank you that's the most precise description I've seen yet. Something every man should know how to do. Mentally starting your Pony motor can't get you out of bed in the morning when you can't crank up the big motor for some reason.
We had two of these at our high school mining and reclamation program. We tore them down and rebuilt them to use during the summer course. Wish I had one now. Far different way to start than the TD-18 we had.
yeah, I prefer the international engines that start on gas and switch over to diesel by closing an extra starting valve in the head for each cylinder. Over the years, I've had much fewer problems with those than cat pony motors. Heck, one can even drive around slowly operating on gas if necessary.
Thank you Sir! So nice to see that you not only keep your equipment in such wonderful shape, but treat it with the respect and good practice that you do. Excellent fine point on throttle position on startup of the pony, and not killing the pony with the mag, and letting it burn out the gas in the carb. Too many cowboys hit the switch, floor the throttle, then reverse on shutdown. You are a gentleman and a scholar, excellent video.
Appreciate the video nicely restored machine. Grew up running 6U D4s and 9U D6 tractors. Still have a 7U with a dozer actually has hydraulic tilt. Also have a field ready D6B it has electric start with a glow plug system. Have moved to articulated wheel tractors in recent years. My dad always cautioned me to neve shut the ignition switch off on the pony motor. He had one that stuck off. Worked for another guy same approach. Ran the carburetors dry left the switch on. Never a problem. Crawler were popular in our area because of the hills we farm up to 50% slopes. Many belted tractors anymore as the steel track machines are almost impossible to find parts for. Direct drive like yours. Most of the 9Us were fitted with oil master clutches newer 4s as well. Thanks for posting a bit late to the dance.
Good video. I like the way you subtly bump the clutch lever to get the starter gear lined up and engaged. I have a 1949 D2 5U, 70 years old and still pushes dirt.
I bought an old IH Crawler that was about the same size. I was told it didn't run, and the starting valves were all bad. It was about a 1940 as near as I could tell. I was working my way thru college and selling timber and firewood for some cash to eat. I paid $200.00 for it. I removed the head and it looked pretty good. One start valve was stuck open, but that was all I could see. I replaces the valve and lapped the rest in. I put it back together, and it started on gas after a little cranking. I was told to let it warm up before kicking it over to diesel, so after the temperature came up, I pushed the lever in. It was a great moment when that old engine came back to life. I used it to drag all kinds of wood out of my Uncle's place. I was surprised at how much traction the little girl had. Still love to hear them come alive, thanks for posting.
This man knows his stuff, anyone tinkering with these old machines should pay attention. His instructions are exactly correct. I generally find that the use of the starting engine is a lost art. Good stuff, excellent vid..
WoW, sure nice to see this machine all rebuilt and taken good care of. It must be a pride and joy for you. These little machines are not to bad to rebuild. Most parts are easy to handle over a larger machine. It would have been a reasonably nice hobby to rebuild it if you had shop space.
I haven't started a D2 in 20 years but I could smell the smoke watching this. You don't run one of these machines with lasers and instruments but by feel and literally the seat of your pants.
I always liked the pony engine because you never have to worry about battery cables and a dead battery. When I lived on my parents farm in the mid Sixties they owned a John Deere 2010. When the loader was attached to it and if the battery went dead you had to detach the loader from the tractor and then remove the battery from the tractor--both tasks were very testy. There were times when the battery was boosted and new cables attached the tractor still had battery problems. All this happened in Southern Ontario Canada.
Thanks for a good overview about starting the D2. My dad had one [maybe a bit older] when I grew up on the farm (and he also had an older D4). The pony motors could be a beast to get started. But your directions about the controls are excellent (esp. the throttle control detents advice). Too much knowledge about these older machines is not being passed on to future generations, I'm afraid (24-volt systems, 12v-positive ground, etc.)
I rebuilt a D5 some years back. This D@ seems to have a hydraulic mod as the D5 had all cables and pullies. Nice looking Cat. Amazing to see how these were started ORIGINALLY cause the one I worked on required two hands, and three feet to get started.
I remember as a kid that I hated getting near the engine to start our d2 we had. But DAMN I have some great memories of me riding on dad's lap as he operated the dozer. I sure miss the old girl. I always enjoyed watching dad operate the dozer. Fun times back then.
Very well done, your instructions were lucid and well thought out , most of all, I can now look at one for sale and know what the guy is doing when he starts it, Thank you. P.S. Your D 4 looks and sounds showroom fresh.
I learned one this engine years ago. It had the electric start for the pony engine. It was old and beat up and dangerous to work with. The hydraulic seals for the controlling the dozer were shot and I had to keep constant pressure to keep it from digging into the ground. I have no problem with CAT, just the reclamation district that didnt take care of their equipment or workers.
You missed one thing. When checking oil levels check the oil in the injection pump as well. It has its own oil sump but if the shaft seal leaks it will drain in to the crank case
Working in the oilfields where everything is diesel and in a Northern climate where -30* isn't uncommon I'd have to say that these pony motors seem like they are a good idea! Today we have engine block heaters and Wabasto engine coolant and oil heaters but when its really cold they arent always enough. I like the idea that the pony motors roll the engine and warms everything up before applying a load, this would save a lot of wear and tear that comes from cold starting.
Nice restoration on the old gal, as with many of the viewers I grew up around the D4. A deteriorated spark plug boot on the pony will give you a good jolt when it was wet outside.
I’m looking for one of these so this video helps. I’ve been looking for a long time. These are hard to find in my area. I need one for odd and small jobs
I seen this being done some 40 years ago and I quite didn't understand the process of what I now know to be the PONY MOTOR. What a nice toy for a young man like me. What a nice sound it makes.
Note to future Squatch253. You're going to be building 3 starting engines and modifying the main bearings! Double thrust bearing modification on one of them! Brilliant!
Wow! Beautiful. I wish I could have asked my dad and uncles about their CATs they operated back in the day and their view of pony motors. Now, I can't. My advice to the youth of today: cherish the time you have with the parents and elders of your family. If you don't, it's too late and you have to have very nice people on RU-vid to answer your questions. However, you will never have that chance of listening to personal experiences.
Never a problem. I grew up with Caterpillar equipment. Once upon a time, where we used to live, it was farmland with a long driveway. My dad got an old Cat grader. My mom used to plow the driveway with it! My dad worked work the DPW, so I'd be in the cab with him in backhoes, compactors, loaders, etc. Today, I don't run or own any Cats, but I will still bleed CAT Yellow. I will be watching more of your videos and remembering the good times...
