Oh how I wish my father was still here to watch THIS !!! He was a Heavy Equipment Operator during the Korean War. Army Corp of Engineers. And was very proud of his D-8 with the pony start. Told me many stories about cranking it on frozen mornings. I have some pictures of him with it !
Takes me back to my youth, we had an old army surplus D6 that had a pony motor. It was a rope pull start and then there was a clutch and an engaging lever. Twin sticks with twin steering clutches and the blade was cable operated, what a beast! 💪💪🙌🤟🤙
Hi, Around the Farm. Good video. Thanks for sharing. Comments: Not all of that D8 is 1951. The back end and the transmission appear to be at least post-1950 when the D8 changed from the old 'slide-bar' gear shift to the 2-stick transmission that your machine has. I would guess too that the engine is at least post 1950 because it has the twin exhaust stacks that were characteristic of the what is called the 'Hi-Output D8' a conversion that was done by a Cat dealer named Sheperd - now long gone - to boost the power to make them better suited to push-loading scrapers. That said, the frame rails and the radiator and its support braces come from a VERY early 2U series D8, circa 1945, or the even earlier 8R series from 1941 to 1945. Thanks again for sharing. Just my 0.02. You all have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
My late father owns a company, where he uses two Caterpillar D 8 2U tractors like these, among others of the brand in earthworks. I myself always in the morning, lubricated and filled the same ones, etc. maneco - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil.
The compression release would have been easier on the pony motor, would have allowed the intake to heat up, and the fuel pressure, and oil pressure to get up. Then you release the compression release, and give the engine some throttle, and it would fire up like it is suppose to.
This i get, air starters ya but haven't looked into the old percussion or whatever starters with the shot gun looking shells. Im sure it was a bitch in cold temps either way. Glad to see that dude still moving.
It is the first 2 digits of the serial number. It's how you're able to date the manufacture. I have a d4, serial number starts with 7J. It's a "7J D4", built 1939-1942.
