I Bought a COLOSSAL Caterpillar D9 Dozer, DIRT CHEAP!! 

For a more detailed video of the blade removal check out Sam's channel @ScrappyIndustries

I was worried when the D9 started right up and the disassembly of the blade went smoothly, that the whole character of a Diesel Creek video was going to be lost. All faith was restored with the failure of the starter on the Peterbuilt and the need for a bump start. SAVED!

I used to run a D9 in winter at the municipal snow dump in Winnipeg, Manatoba Canada. It had a extended U blade for pushing snow that was collected from the city streets and parkinglots. At one time we used to push the snow onto the river and in the spring the run off melt would take it away. I would burn over 150 gallons of fuel in a 12 hour shift. No cab either! We would spin the fan blades so they would pull the air from front to back, and use canvas tarps to collect the heat from the engine to keep warm. If you were working this tractor hard, you could wear only a t-shirt in the seat at - 30. I'm 57 now and I did this when I was only 18. To this very day it was the most fun I ever had "at work".

I joined the US Army to be an equipment operator right after high school graduation in the 70's. My first assignment was with the 101'st Airborne Div. I was assigned a CAT D-5a that we sling loaded under CH-47 helicopters. It flew in 3 pieces, the blade, the tracks then the tractor. Upon landing at a DZ myself and 2 other soldiers would assemble it and I was off to dig tank ditches for the next few weeks. Best time of my life, 50 years later and I remember everything about that dozer and the time I spent in the seat. Over the years I operated many pieces of equipment but that D-5a was my favorite. What a life.

Hello, I am a man from Estonia, I was transferred from Estonia to Russia to join the army, I served in the railway forces at the test technical training ground in 1976 ... 1978. On the side of the army, US and Japanese bulldozer drivers were trained and then they were sent to Siberia for the construction of the BAM railway. I had never been so powerful in the free world before. saw the machines produced, I was 18 years old then and it left a great impression on me. We lived in a closed Russian country and the only window we had to Europe was Finnish television, in northern Estonia there were 3 Finnish TV channels visible with good antennas, now there is internet and through you tube I am familiar with life in the USA, I like watching your car repair videos, your cars are still good and the engine standard is 3.5 l, good luck to you!

Hi, My name is Matt and I'm a next-level hoarder. My motto as far as buying heavy equipment is, "sometimes you can't afford not to buy it!" That new addition to the family is awesome.

Matt’s shopping list: - 1/2” steel plate - extra bottle of C10 gas - 0.45 wire - ammunition - bags of concrete - cameras

I was a D-9 operator in the PA strip mines. That machine has lots of power and I moved a lot of earth with it. I then got to operate the D-10 also. The 10 is an AWESOME machine!!

What a great job you and all you buddies getting that gear dissembled, loaded up,unloaded . Awesome team. Can't get enough of your videos, makes me happy. It takes me back when I was young in the USAF operating everything with tracks and wheels, from cranes to clamshells and drag lines. Now I'm old and I still get to watch it being done right by a bunch of able bodied men, I'm grateful and blessed right down to my old work boots watching the commerody goin on. Thanks Matt

I liked that the Peterbilt pulled 120,000 plus pounds, total, with no strain, and accelerated almost like it was nothing. I envy you the dozer.

This is one of the best productions so far, big props to Big John, Gino and Sam. I love the teamwork, little joke clips, bloopers, chats etc that makes this feel like I'm there with you guys. Professional TV documentary quality! 👍

Back in 1975 the D9H cost (in New Zealand) about the same as a Hughes 500 helicopter (NZ$ 250,000 I think the figure was). I had a brief play on one (belonging to Bill Butson Contractors and operated by Paul Schroder - aka the Bealey Ave Grey) during the construction of the Tekapo canal (in the South Island) and I couldn't believe how much power it had, even while idleing. Years later I saw the two Komatsu D575 superdozers working at the Stockton coal mine above Westport, and they kind of made the D9 look like a toy.

My late son, Joey loved big trucks. He was missing from home at three years old, found sitting’ under a tree with his nappy and cheerios box watch in the big trucks excavating. Thank you for this video and the fond memory of an outstanding son. RIP Joey, this one would have thrilled you. 👍🙏🏼✝️🇺🇸

Wow, brought back memories. 40 years ago in my 20s on a road job, they stuck me on an old D8, cable blade, dragging a huge sheep's foot. Asked if I could "drive" it. I said "sure". It was running but I couldn't even get the blade to lift, much less move! Come to find out, just the pony motor "starter" was running! All the mechanics were standing laughing at me! Learned a lot on that first road job! Thanks!

I believe that your particular D9H was one that my family bought new from Beckwith Machinery. We had strip mining and quarrying operations near Bentleyville, PA. I was working summers when it we picked it and 2 others up. If this is the same machine, I installed that cab. Great video.

As a retired 43 year OTR driver from the northeast, and a wannabe toy collector like Matt, I was living vicariously through this video. Hooking up the tow rope to the Pete and hauling it off the Cat Scale brought back memories. Does the dude EVER shut off his jake? Been there, done that, woulda got a Cat hoodie if they only had one that fit me. Glad I don't have to relive the sub freezing temp to enjoy and appreciate the effort. I was just talking to someone from the Pittsburgh area and told them about your videos. They said that they would check it out. I'll waive the finders fee because I like you. Hell, I might even mosey down myself to visit one day. I might just show up when you least expect me. Be well and keep em comin'!

That's awesome. I could totally use something like that to clear land for my homestead build lol. Sometimes, reasonable men must buy unreasonable things.

Whoever did the refresh of that engine deserves a raise. That ole girl starts SO good. Bravo 👏 👏

Nice score Matt, So... in 1969 and 70 I was a skinny little 140 lb soaking wet 14/15 year old farmer. Working for a hay company in Petaluma California. Mom would take me out to Freitas Road and drop me off. There was the massive vintage D9 just waiting for me right where I had stopped her the day before. I had to start the pony motor and wake up the beast with 18 ft disc and cyclone fence trailing to smooth for a new 400 acre crop of oat hay. The beast had no muffler at all, just a straight pipe that I would cover with a bucket for the night. It was 1969 so zero ear protection... "WHAT DID YOU SAY" Okay wait, it's not over. In 1972 George Lucas came to town and I was literally the only person hired right off the street/76 gas station to be in his little car movie "because of my awesome 55 chevy pickup" that turned out to be a huge car movie. Frietas Road right along side of that patch of dirt was our local Petaluma drag strip and this is exactly where we raced the POS yellow 32 against the crusty 55 with tilt front end and 454 stuffed in. So there you go... "WHAT DID YOU SAY"

Matt you do a terrific job showing how to repair and make equipment work. I always feel like a welcome neighbor watching over your shoulder. I am truly amazed at how much you are able to accomplish with your shop and equipment. I’ve learned a lot from watching you.

I don't know anything about diesel engines or construction equipment but the camera work and editing is outstanding! Really kept me glued!

This is EXACTLY what I need on this brisk Saturday morning! Love me some diesel creek videos!!

Big shout out to Gino , Big John, and Sam, for all the hard work on both videos of Scrappy Industries, and Diesel Creek! Great buy, and great content😊

The D9 purrs like a kitten - that "hauler" sounds like the BEAST it is. GREAT find and friends! !! !!!

Brings back memories. Long ago when I worked with my Dad we bought a new D9 w/ cushion pusher blade, 1998. We had 3 D8's, one setup as a pusher for 21 yard scrapers. Also had 3 Wabco C paddles for finish work. And a TD25 picked up cheap at auction. It was actually a pretty decent machine. But we got on a job here the D8 wasn't enough push. Wet, sand, mud! High undercarriage maintenance costs. I'm surprised you got the pins out so easily.

Ol' boy grabbing gears like a true legend. Maybe he can teach these other door dummies how to run like that. The Jake burps between shifts is like music to my ears

Many thanks to Big John and all who helped move the D9. Great content Matt.

Hi there from Aussie. I spent a lot of hours on the D9 starting from an (E) when I was 15. I have to say you should replace the inspection plates,access plate on your belly guards.It is an expensive job and a dirty to repair when a tree stump comes though those holes and smashes your sump.Speaking from experience .I enjoy your show ,retired now but I live through you . Have a great year,Smiley

You did very well. Congratulations. I bought a 1957 D4 for $5000.00 in Australia some 10 years ago. They are a well constructed bit of machinery.

I ran a D9H Cat for years back in the eighties, she’s a pusher with lots of grunt, we used it in the Oilsands of Alberta Canada for pushing tailings sand and tar sands to bucket wheels. It was a very dependable dozer and good on fuel.

When I was a boy in the 1970s in the uk I got to ride in one as it bulldozed a forrestry road.The memory has never left me as the sheer power of the D9 just blew my mind.Amazing they are still going strong today testament to cat engineering.

I know this video is about the D9, but gosh, that Ford LTL 9000 is beautiful.

I worked for many years in a caterpillar dealers industrial engine division back in the 70's. By far my most favorite engine was the D353, 6 cylinder, 6.25" bore. The engine used in D9H.That whole series of engines D353, D379, D398 & D399 were just plain heavy duty work horses. I saw them used in tug boats, pump engines, generator sets always reliable.

Matt, I’ve ran a lot of bulldozers but the D9H and D9G have always been my favorites. They’re so beautiful of a machine and I love hearing them grunt and seeing that black smoke pour out of the exhaust. They’re a real testament to the men who built America. Enjoy it while you have it and keep buying old iron!

The D9 is a special beast. I had the privilege of riding one straight through several miles of Florida forest and swampland. Straight, because NOTHING stops it, or slows it down even a little. It's a strange experience when everything in front of you just falls away as you move irresistibly forward. It makes for a stunning sense of power and I've never experienced anything else quite like it. Owning one would be amazing.

I hauled heavy equipment for 20 years. Worked in the office also running day to day operations. With trucks across Canada and the US. Watching this makes me miss it. But noylt the hours.

Great old machine, my dad ran a d9 for years, used to ride with him 👍

That electrical company ought to be quaking right now…

Dad was a CAT mechanic from 1969-94 and this was the kind of equipment he absolutely loved.

Nice video. Everything we had in the Marines and I learned on was 70's tech. Miss using the old pull levers in the dozers. The graders with 15 plus levers I don't miss one bit.

Wow what a chunk of iron! 😲 Hard to imagine that D9 weighs almost 50 tons even without the blade.. ..and I didn't think that little Terex crane would even start to pick up that blade. Man that was sketchy!!!😳 That big Peterbuilt had no trouble at all moving it. Very nice rig!😊👍👍

Wait, what channel is this??? Matt your stuff never "just runs" out the gate! That (c)rusty heap in the background is much more your speed. Love it! Keep it up!

Props to John for his camera work, it's great to have good friends with big toys

I use to work on the D9H myself many years back what a pleasure to work on a beast like that I was a Diesel Mechanic for the New York City Sanition

Congratulations! That’s a great addition Kudos to your camera guy. This was a very well documented video. Lots of great perspectives captured.

“Thats what I’m telling the wife.” 😂 Awesome. Pull starting the Peterbuilt should be a Ford commercial.

Matt sure gets to have all the fun Big shout to all his friends and enjoying all the truck And all involved thanks

You have the best toys Matt. Beautiful machine! The D9, and the trucks made some beautiful diesel music ❤

Wow! Thank you for buying it 😁

I love the logic justifying the purchase. I've plenty of tools bought that way 😂

Every time Matt buys a new piece of machinery, it feels like Christmas morning for us viewers

Great stuff as always. My wife is great but has reached her limit with my auction finds. So I get my fix vicariously via your channel. You are living the dream for all of us.

Enjoyed watching the move of the D9H, The first time I moved a D9 which was a G, for the company I worked for, I was in a 1976 Ford 8000 with a 318 Detroit, Yes it was slow, the last time I moved it I had graduated to a 99 KW with a pumped up 425 CAT, big difference.

Thanks to all who helped Matt get the D9 to the show! Love the dozer! Thank you for sharing! Plus, it's the first time It started!!!! Thanks for sharing! 😊

Of course 🤣...I swear Matt gets to have all the fun.

Very sweet machine. Clean er up inside and out, fresh coat of paint, Lube everything and you've got a lifetime jewel. Absolutely great find...!!! 😊

D9H is one of the very best dozers caterpillar ever made, as a site super in the mid 80's, I had a sub contractor working for me that we had rented him and his D9H (1975) which was recently re-habed (1980) and let me tell you---that was one awesome dozer!!! We were stripping topsoil and stock piling it at a city park---I calculated how much he moved in 8hrs---3500cy----not to shabby----you have purchased a great machine!!! Good Luck!!!

All of that diesel power helped shape and build America. Amazing the age on those machines and they still run and function. Cheers Matt from this old retired coot living the dream in chilly Tennessee.

I make parts for Terex here in ireland, and until now, I never knew or asked what they were used for 😂 but it makes perfect sense now seeing that little terex crane, I make the drums the wires go onto

@ 34:30 That dozer was thinking "You're putting me in an old folks home?" 🤣

My son is a heavy plant fitter in the goldfields here in Western Australia. Just replaced a track tensioner on one like this for a farmer in the Eastern wheatbelt

That Colossus had me at the first signature Diesel Creek belt squeal! Nice score Matt and a big shout to your crew getting it up to the giant sandbox.

Diesel Creek smashing it again in 2024! Thanks for sharing the journey with us Matt.

Matt, happy for your excitement, I'm excited for you too!

CATs aside, the Peterbilts have something special which none of the modern trucks have. They are simply awesome

As a retired truck driver,thumbs up to the hand driving that PETE a true professional and the D9 operator wasn't to bad either !!!

Great video Matt. You got a screaming good deal. A big thank you to Sam, Gino & Big John for helping Matt out.

That would be so good for working up my garden.The wife will have something to back fill the grave.🤣🤣🤣

Fantastic purchase and save Diesel Creek. It's big, powerful and heavy but oh how it will move whatever comes its way.

All it needs is a few panels welded on with emphasis on the radiator on and she’s ready for service.

Who would have thought Diesel Creek & Whistlin Diesel would both release big dozer videos in the same week!

Very slick how the Tongue Comes off that Low Boy Trailer 23:31 @Diesel Creek

That D9 is badass and sounds like music to my ears.

Congratulations Matt !!! You are now the proud owner of one of the greatest large dozers ever manufactured.The legendary CAT D9H.She is truly a beauty. What an awesome piece of heavy equipment and construction history.Best of Luck with the new addition to your collection.

“ buy one even though you don’t need one!” Thats my kinda guy, big iron, gotta love it, you buy because you can and because you want to, and because mother opportunity gifted you. In my book, best big iron transport you’ve done to date, thanks for the ride along sir, enjoyed it immensely.

changed shot lower track rollers. mid 80's> on an early 60's D9.Heated rails but still had a dozen roller mount bolts snap.Tractor was cribbed up on ties. Torch cut out those broken carrier bolts laying on my back.Pick and clip the tap every hole including the bolts that came out. 22 years old at the time. did the job in the yard. 8 months later running a service truck in a 70 mile radiusof the home shop.knees are killing me now at70.

Thanks for posting this vid. I've been a scale model builder since 1964, and had a job at a survey-engineering firm in the early '70 and worked around these beasts in the early 70's while I attended college. I have two 1:25th scale models of D8H's, with U-blades and single rippers. One will be built as a stock D-8H and the 2nd as a D-9H, thanks to you ! Again, many thanks.

It's midnight here in Australia, can't sleep, TV is rubbish nowadays so don't watch that and I get this notification woohoo next hour is all set!

Yes Matt, I would love to see more of this behemoth doing some ripping work and re-arranging the machines at the steam show playgrounds ! Thanks for all your great videos ! And taking the time to share with us!

Wow congratulations Matt! 🎉 What an awesome machine! I'm happy for you! Sounds and looks great!

Hi, more D9, love watching that thing moving dirt.😊

Nice work loading her up. Personaly, I would have taken 15min to knock off some of the bigger chunks of dirt from the tracks. It's a nice gesture to respect other peoples equipment, and cleaning is good oportunity to make a visual inspection, look for damages, leaks and the like. There is a lot of life left in her, congratulations on the purchase.

Matt, I've often wondered why it's so hard to find good friends anymore, and it looks like it's because you have them all! What a great bunch of like-minded guys. All that and a D9 that starts RIGHT now. Your luck with new heavy purchases has definitely changed for the better. Great video.

That LTL is gorgeous. One of the best looking trucks , imo.

Now THAT'S a bulldozer!!! Very tidy for its age and plenty of grunt under the hood me thinks. Particularly enjoyed the time lapse segments during the breakdown and rebuild. What was the upshot with the 'Pete' not starting on the button? Having a decent crew of blokes on the job certainly helps. Schmick production!

In the late 1960s, I watched mesmerized by a Cat D9, taking down a row of 2 story brick homes that were in the right-of-way for I-95 just south of Baltimore. It would notch the front corners, then put the blade high on back wall and push. 20 minutes later, it was a rubble pile in the basement. Just raw grunt!

When I lived in Peoria, the caterpillar workers were so proud of this unit.

I did that work for 30 years . Now own a heavy haul out fit the last of the trucking biz that makes a little money the big box outfits just cannot get the talent to do both drive load and read permits !! Love that old yellow Iron I hope Greta sees that cold start and yells How Dare You !! LOL ! one day i hope to make it a mission to save old equipment and factory machinery to preserve it Because the great days of the US being a industrial power house are long gone never to return .

Oh, hey, it has the exhaust covered automatically. What a brilliant idea that so many other rescued old machines could've benefitted from! 😜

Spent thousands of hours on a D9H! Those with the giant single shank ripper and U-blade are the best balanced tractors I have ever operated. From precision slope and grade work to building roads for mining they are still my favorites. Ran a lot of Cats and Komatsu. Last tractor I ran before getting out of the industry was a D11N. Started on D8H's with a pony motor......

She just pushing that dirt like a Champ Old girl just as strong as the day she came off the show room floor Matt 41:20 @Diesel Creek

Thanks big John 4 helping Matt out

I once watched a D9 pushing snow in a parking lot where I was a ski bum at 18 years old... it was one of the most impressive things that I had ever seen, and a sight which kinda started my fascination with (really) big iron. I was once able to work with one and it was a mind blowing experience for my young self. Those suckers are HUGE!!! This is so f'n cool that Matt has one! Amazing!!

What amazes me is that the D9 did not tear up the ground when you did turn, 50 ton machine on a steel belts. Pretty strong vegetation you have over there...

What an Absolutely Awsome vidclip .... I just love the sound of Really BIG Engines ..... :-) :-) :-) .... Very surprised just how 'Clean' that D9 runs under load, looks like a Great Buy. Now the Truck .... Wonderful Sound/Music from the 'Jake Brake'.... Beautiful to hear when the Driver knows just how to use it effectively, Brilliant 'Blips' during the gear-change too .... Thanks for sharing .... Best to ALL from ChCh, NZ

Hats off to you and your team of associates who help you on some of these videos. You guys are awesome!! 🏆👍

The skill with which he navigated those narrow roads and turns was amazing. that could NOT have been easy .Well done.

Thank you John for getting great views for us. Thank you gentlemen for a wonderful collaboration video. Keep it going Matt.

Great video !!! Nice dozer, ford LTL9000, and Pete !!! Thanks for sharing , Always liked those LTL 9000,

18 deg F and fires right up cold start. WOW!! Cheers...