New to the Club

[Gregness]

Howdy!

I am taking over ownership of the family D2 Cat shortly, and will begin doing some work on her. My grandfather bought this tractor in about 1965 when I was 8 years old, and I thought then that it was the coolest thing ever... and I kinda still do. My Dad has been using her and taking care of her since Grampa died back in '94, but he is now selling the family farm and barn where she has been housed for the past 47 years or so, and asked me if I wanted her, then to come get her. I have a small ranch in Eastern Washington where the old Cat would be quite handy, and I am excited about fixing her up and putting her back to work.

She runs, but it has been over twenty years since she had new rings installed, and she is getting tired. Grampa put a new undercarriage under her many years but not that many operating hours ago.
Grampa also rigged up an electric motor belt-drive to start the pony motor, and she has a blade and a winch. Only immediate issue is that when Dad went to move her a couple weeks ago, he found the main clutch was frozen up. ANY IDEAS?

I plan to pull the cylinder head and have a look at the cylinder walls... given her age, if she has good oil pressure and there is little cylinder wear evident, would a re-ring be worth the trouble, or do I need to pull the engine and do all the bearings?

Glad to find this site and forum, I know it will be a big help.

G

[zootownjeepguy]

Congratulations on your "new" toy. Well, first of all if the undercarriage is new that's the expensive part. Rings aren't too bad and new cylinder liners can be bought for about $100 to $120 each. As far as the stuck main clutch, I had the same problem with my D2. Try filling the clutch compartment 1/2 full of diesel fuel. Let it soak and turn the engine over 1/2 a turn every day for a week or so (that did it for mine). One thing to check is the steering clutches, if they're stuck it could be quite a job to break them loose.

What model is it, "U" or "J" series? If you post the serial number we can give you the manufacture year if you don't know already.

[u-joint]

just wanted to warn you my grandpa had a T20 that i thought if anyone would let me run it i could rule the world. i now have 25 tractors and two cranes, sold the third, down to two and looking at another to get back to three.

[drujinin]

I think you will find that it won't have much wear Top and Bottom if your Grandfather took good care of it.
Steering Clutch repair of a D2 is a "Right of Passage". You will be able to buy all kinds of cool tools and shop accessories besides learning all kinds of colorful words!

[Hihorse46A]

My addiction started with a D4 when I was 8 years old. It is a "fever" that never breaks, but the enjoyment will last forever. Good luck with all your endeavors. Frank

[lil cat mec]

any pics? serial number?

also for the clutch, either use diesel or kerosene... do just as Rich(zootownjeepguy) said... should work!!!

[Gregness]

This D2 is a 4U, serial number 4U1749; Dad thinks it is a 1949 model year unit.

Does the main clutch housing have a drain plug to get rid of the diesel/kerosene used to free the clutch?

Thanks,

G

[ag-mike]

This D2 is a 4U, serial number 4U1749; Dad thinks it is a 1949 model year unit.

Does the main clutch housing have a drain plug to get rid of the diesel/kerosene used to free the clutch?

Thanks,

G

if ur thinking about getting into this machine its time to get operator and other manuals.

good luck

[lil cat mec]

there should be a drain plug for moisture which you will be able to use to drain the main clutch housing! i don't have any books on them but if nothing else you could just look under the machine near the front of the "bell housing" and see if there is a plug and that will let you know were the plug is too... I'm assuming it will be probably 4 inches from the back of the motor in the center of the clutch compartment on the bottom... (don't quote me though)

[Gregness]

Thanks for the tips... Dad says he has several manuals and other documentation, thankfully! We will try the kerosene soak on the clutch.

Greg