Let's look at the good, the bad, & figure out what this tractor's past life was like. Channel Memberships Available Here - / @squatch253 Join for extra content, ad free content, and bonus footage!
I'll probably never have a D2. If I were to buy a dozer to go with the excavator and tractor, it would be something newer. Yet, I find these videos on the old dozers and your rebuild series absolutely captivating. Thanks, Toby.
Really interesting to hear your thought process. I work on old cars through a church car ministry. People donate old cars, and we fix up the ones that makes sense, then give them to people that don't have enough resources to purchase a car. Donated cars go through an evaluation to see if it should be fixed up or scrapped. One learns to be a little ruthless. Can't save them all. Thank you for sharing your evaluation.
I am using this video in my AG business class this week. ( Thanks Squatch) We are looking at machinery costs and this is a great break down of an old crawler and the process of buying used.
Squatch is back! Like the field work and other videos but the old Cat iron videos is what really drew me into the Channel. Cannot wait for 5J1113 to return to the big screen.
Thanks Squatch. A D2 Cat is one of the first Cat Tractors that I drove as a kid. Later, I moved up to a Cat Sixty. One of my fondest memories was when I went to an estate auction and ran into an older friend and mentor, late Don Dougherty (who owned one of the largest Cat and truck collections on the west coast.) At the end of the day, he had bought a couple Cat's one being a D2, and as a kid, I got to drive it one the trailer. then got paid for helping him load up other items he had bought. I loved going out to Dons place, Cat heaven. Tent after tent of tractors! Yes its true there are alot of agricultural Cats on the west coast, many still in use. Where I live, the Cats were used for logging, so many of them if they are still around are pretty warn. One case of this is a D2 that a friend owned that he just sold to a neighbor who is interested in showing it. It was in fair rough shape and let it go for $500.00
I've loved crawlers since boyhood - the family sawmills first Caterpillar was a 30, then a 15, then the Korean War and Dad joined the Navy. What an excellent find - hope it exceeds your expectations.
You mentioned Cats , and the Navy . My freind Bob Hathaway , who passed away recently , fought in the landings against theJapaneese .He never fired a shot , but he was the first off the landing barge on a little Cat , back-filling the trenches and tunnels , with all the troops behind him .
Gosh I appreciate all the information you share!!! Few years ago I was able to relocate my old D6 Cat that I used to own. Lost track of it almost 30 years ago. It’s been found sitting in the woods on a farm. Man I’d enjoy having it back to fix up and get running again, even for old sentimental reasons you might say. I’d been from radiator to drawbar in it. It’s a dozer with double drum LaTourneau cable control until. It’s 4R series. I had new pins and bushings put in the tracks by Cat before I sold it. Pads are at least 50% better, sails are good, rebuilt both users, new drive sprockets, rebuilt the pony motor, radiator all gone through and cleaned, new cutting blade and ears. Don’t think it saw much work after I sold it, but I understand from the owner he dropped a valve in the diesel and had to replace a piston. So they’ve been inside the diesel and I would trust what they would do to fix a lawn mower!! So God knows I wouldn’t trust things now! But I’d like to have it back. But I appreciate all you share with us!!! Be safe.
Happy New Year! Ok then back to work. So i finally found the best dang lady ever... She said ya come on move in. Then we are going to my dads place... 1953 cat D2 ! Not covered in blackberry's Yet. About halfway. Blade. Blade rams look rusted so bad dont know if the blade will move up. Oh ya. I have one week to move it 600 ft. Or the evil new landlord will scrap it... A. How can i jack the blade up and secure it for transport 600 ft. B. Can i pull it with my old work van? Or am i gonna need a tractor. Man I've always wanted to film a movie.... I mean video... Ah back to work
@@squatch253 The external fuel tank looks the same as the soviet KD-35 has. Probably also dimensional wise. Tried to share a link but youtube dose not like external links being posted.
@@SuperMAZ007 The restrictions on links in RU-vid comments are chosen by the original video posters to keep the bots off. If you want to alert us to a related subject you can just type in something to make a Google search easy. (No HTTP or .com etc) 😉
thanks,,,i have two d4 7u here with winches and hyd blades, one has factory cat cab,,,,i need to sell,,,this helps me a bunch,,,im in alabama ill clean up a bit an put up for sale,,,regards
So i'm here wiriting from Germany - been looking for small crawler tractors like the Caterpillar D2 for a while, you don't get to see these around here very often. The last D2 i saw on Ebay marketplace (very badly oversprayed, but presumadly running) was listed for around 19.000€. Far away from my budget. Crawler tractors are pretty rarely seen around here, we almost only got weeled tractors before and after the secound world war. I've collected a few old machines from around here, and restored some of them, like a Fendt Farmer 3s from 1967, so i know some of what it takes to bring an old machine back to working order. Been whatching your channel for a long time, very good contend, keep it up! Greetings, Johannes
I'll be looking for one of those for my land this spring. Not looking for a restored one, just a "good" runner that will be dependable without needing to spend a fortune. Be nice to find one with a blade.
The cheapest new small dozer is the Nortrac. It is a Chineese POS. It costs 26 thousand. It has smaller tracks. Everyone that gets one sells it and gets old iron. Sooo what the value of a running old CAT thats ready to work? You do the math! lol 51 JD MC Crawler 57 JD 420c Crawler Yanmar YFW 20 Track dump Komatsu PC75uu-2
@@squatch253 In the Nortrac video they show the dozer pushing the smallest pile of dirt- downhill! lol Then theres the Struck magnatrack, I think they start at around 7 grand and would make an awesome toy for a 6 year old. So to me a decent old running dozer is worth 10gs all day. I dont think Id let my JD420c go if someone offered me 20 gs for it. It only has about 400hrs on it.
"Geography", WHERE a D2 is located, even within any particular state, is sometimes everything. D2s are plentiful in California, but if they are found in a barn in a relatively urban area they are nearly worthless. Last one in my area sold for $500. Move it to the central valley where the farms are (Modesto, Turlock, etc.) and you can possibly double, triple, or quadruple its selling price.
Liked👍 And subscribed based just on this video alone. I felt you did an awesome job of teaching folks how to assess the value of a dozer. Never occurred to me how many components need to be looked at to determine a fair price. I appreciate your time and effort putting this video together 👍
I got an old 1942 cat d2 that I want to get back going. It ran when I bought it and I’ve had it parked a couple years. No shop is the reason why I haven’t got into it yet but your videos are so helpful and I thank you for taking the time to do so. I think it’s worth saving as the last owner wanted to scrap it
Great video. I know a little about tractors, but zero about crawlers. Great explanation on mechanics that made perfect sense. Great explanation on the cents, that made perfect sense. You have great verbal skills and technical knowledge. You teach very effectively to people such as myself. I thank you
Not only a lot of them around, Calif CARB is pushing diesel equipment out of state if not Tier 4 or better. AG is OK for a while, but most farmers are selling low HP units to make CARB happy and keeping their big stuff as long as possible. Bring a trailer, lo-deck, Cozad, whatever. Come west and go home overloaded ...
Hey Squach, I am currently looking at my best friends grandfathers estate with 50+ cat crawlers on it ranging from a holt 10 ton to rd6s. Mostly smaller cats though 10s, 20s and such. Is there anyway I could contact to ask you a few questions? If you don’t have to time no problem
I have been watching your videos for a year now since I dove into my 1955 d2 caterpillar dozer. I have some questions for you. I can't seem to get it to start again after fuel tank reconditioned.
I believe the hour meter is actually based on a particular RPM for 1 hour = 1 hour on the meter. So not a clock. Actually reads engine revolutions . If you know what rpm = 1 hour, you can figure out how many times the engine has turned over in its life time.
@@squatch253 I have had ones in antique boats that were based on 2350 rpm for one hour. And 3200 for 1 hour. I think some older airplanes also have mechanical hour meters.
I think you should just hook that chain up to the Farmall give it a pull start and give it some starting fluid and see if it starts. If you use the thing 5 hours a year does it matter if the back end parts are worn ?
Holy Crap, I learned more on your video than i could have in days of research...thank you..I'm looking for a D4 for multiple uses on my property..I would really love it if you could do an assessment on the new Project Minotaur CTL which is now out...which is a combo dozer and loader switch out....of course the marketing department speaks well, I would love a wise old dog like yourself to weigh in on it...it saves buying two machines, but the question is does it...thanks a million, one of the best vids i have watched
I found a D2 a couple years ago out in the middle of the California desert. It was equipped with a winch mounted to the side to pull pipe or fence post not quite sure. Its been abandoned probably for at least 10 years. Thinking about getting a couple batteries,deisel, and water and firing it up.
Devcon will take care of worn splines. I used Devcon on my 1968 John Deere skidder hub splines which were really loose back in about 1980 and they have never came loose. Just as solid as the day they were built.
6:16 holly... that's about a cm of metal just gone. Gone with the wind. Unreal. I've never seen a drawbar that worn out on any tractor, and i've seen some pretty beer can tractors around my brother's farm. Feller was getting every cubic fraction of an inch worth out of that steel. :))
The one thing that you mentioned about this D2's grousers was that they were about 50% worn. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the "snow and ice" shoes (cutouts in center) and the fact that they appear to be LGP tracks.
Forgot to ask, @Squatch, are these small enough that a pickup can haul it or do I need to hire a truck? I know your RD6 would be way too heavy. When it's time for me to obtain one, if all I'm looking for is a (reliable) runner for the woods, what should a fair price be? (In the Wisconsin area)
A D4 or anything else for that matter is only worth as much as anyone is prepared to pay, doesn't matter how much you or any one else access's it. Fools with spend any amount of money just because they "must" have it.
I'm looking at buying a D2 in my area but I'm wondering where you get the gauge you used for checking the rails. Also, is there any critical part that can't be sourced if it's broken or missing on the one I'm looking at and would render my new purchase into some impressive yard art but not much else.? Can't tell you how much I appreciate your making this video. Exactly what I needed. Thanks sincerely!
@@squatch253 -Im getting the idea you tried this? We have done it on other equipment built like the D2. Would be lying if I said I have never welded a splined shaft to the drive sprocket.
Trying to remove the water pump on a D2 like that one, without removing the radiator. Is this possible and if so, how? The fan belt is off and the pump is unbolted from the block, but the fan blades interfere with the radiator core when trying to wiggle the pump out. Its so close but no cigar yet. Thanks for any help.
Great information in this one. I wish it was a couple weeks earlier when I saw a running D2 sell for 800 bucks. I have restored military jeeps and power wagons, not sure how much heavy equipment is required for a D2 though...... Can't wait to see what comes next. When does shop construction start??? LOL
Thank you for the detailed break-down of what to look for. I'm an ex Army mech who wants one to tinker with up here in the Redwoods where the Patterson film was made of Sasquatch. Thanks again.
Great video! I have a feeling that you have saved thousands and thousands of dollars for people with videos like this. Many thanks for doing this and all the other awesome videos!
So now we know why you told PacificHillbilly why you were Cat'd up!! Seriously though, a machine (D2) like he found at the place selling off, is THAT worth a cross country trip in your opinion?
I'm glad I already own my Franken-Clanken D2 and then watched this. Of course I'm still not done with it. But if this gem could be scrap with worse undercarriage and more common front idlers, I hate for you to see mine. I believe she's a '49 as well. I really want to finish the tractor up this winter when work slows. I was in school riding the bus when I first saw my D2 (5U3591) I fell in love. Then I got my license, then graduated, worked on school buses for 2 1/2 years at my old school. Saved up and brought her. Had to borrow but paid back as soon as I could. It's 10 years later, it's not what I would have done now as an older man, yet, it's my own and the only of it's kind. I do want to have a proper D2 someday, but in the meantime I have my unique 5U, and to confirm what I already pretty much knew, it's completely worthless haha! Someday I'm going to make a video about it, I'll have mixed reactions I'm sure lol. Thank you for everything you've done to educate with #1113 and the continuing with the latest sweetheart to the fleet. I know work on heavy equipment and "Michigan gravel trains" amongst other equipment, running a service truck and working in the shop, I think that little locked up D2 set me up for a career.
@@squatch253 Very well put, I don't want to detract from that, so I'm just going to say thank you and hope others gain from all you and the community you built have to offer
My Dad's best friend, best man at his wedding, and godfather to my six brothers and sisters was George Logue who had the world's largest private collections of Cats.
My dad has a 43 d4 it was completely restored by an old fella just before he past, the guy that inherited it and we got it from let it set for 10 years he couldn’t get the pony to turn and gave up on it, turns out it was still in gear with the cat, started right up
I'd say your store got a little bigger with that purchase. I get the feeling the undercarriage will wind up under Senior's D2, and you'll at least have some replacement engine parts for both. Who knows, you might even get lucky in teardown and find at least some useable back end parts.........
On the one hand, i always find it a bit sad to see an old soldier like that be slated for parts. On the other hand, those parts will allow other old soldiers to carry on. Yer makin me wanna buy a tractor you buggar. Not that i dont have enough wrecks in the yard!
are you eventually going to machine a pony motor main bearing boring set up.. that bolts to the opening in the case and allows you to bore the bearing bore for oversize bearings..
Hi there. We have a D4 1947 and was wondering if you could help us out with a few issues and why it’s blowing white smoke? How can we get in contact with you???
Just for fun; I watched a video yesterday of a CAT 964 I believe wheel loader being transported on a low boy trailer! 740Km transport! They had to remove the cab and once the loader was on the trailer, the back tires were on top of the tandem axles. So they had to let air out of the loader tires to go under bridges. The trip looked like it was the Alps, narrow roads, hair pin turns, up and down mountains, driving in the middle of the road. IIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! 😞😓😩 That loader was as long as a football field and half of each tire stuck out past the trailer frame. There ain't enough money to pay me to haul that! 😀
This is good information. I was looking at one about half a year ago that the guy wanted $4500 for, but it had a bad radiator, the pony motor had no compression, and looked like it had done about two life times of dozer work. I though the guy was asking way to much, and now I'm glad that you confirmed what I was thinking.
@@squatch253 what is the HP out put for a D2 Cat ? How wide of a dozer blade do they normally have on them and rear Ripper ? About how much drawbar pull do they have ?
I have mixed feelings, but see how the old girl sings first. Love to find one in the west side of PA that ran with a blade. Of course im sure that would dangerous for me to have lol.
I guess 4 grand without knowing, if it runs some people would still work it others are looking for a project , if there is much wrong with it they becomes a money pit quick. You can never tell if any part is original unless stamped , you learn when you strip it. 2 grand is still good everything is going up in value you can't lose on it
I sure would love to have a crawler... But I don't know if it will be a possibility for me. It sure would be handy to have in clearing all this land! That looks real similar to those two I saw out in the U.P. that I sent you. I know the one for sure had the fender mounted fuel tank.
