Early pull type grader identification please

[slarsonroy]

My father in law brought this home from his fathers farm, which he bought in the 30's or 40's. Its been sitting there ever since. The serial number is D2087



One of the labels shows a date June 1918 but it may be referencing a patent. The grader appears to be complete, its just partially dismantled to fit on the trailer. He wants me to find out what its worth and sell it on ebay, but I would rather sell it to a real enthusiast like you fellas seem to be. You can email me directly at Slarsonroy@L2speed.net Thanks!

Scott

[Kelly]

Scott,
Hi, my money is on a Caterpillar 15 (fifteen) grader they started with Sn D1001 as stated in my information source.
Kelly

[OzDozer]

I'm with Kelly .. it appears to be a #15 pull grader .. however, the S/N starts at D-1501 in my book ..

[slarsonroy]

Thanks Kelly and Oz, what year would you say it is? Im guessing late teens or early twenties? Here are some pics of the other 2 Identification plates if you can read them.



Oz, Ive been to Perth and Freemantle a couple times when I was in the Navy (1985 and 1987). I have a lot of good memories about your area.

[side-seat]

Fifteen Blade Grader ser#'s are: D1501 thru D2151

[naylorbros]

The age is more like late Twenties early Thirties. Caterpillar did not make graders until they bought out Russel in 1927. Some one on here will be able to tell you the year it was built.
Thanks
Ken

[OzDozer]

Scott - Caterpillar purchased the Russell Grader Co in Dec 1928, and all the Russell graders were then badged and known as Caterpillar pull graders.
Caterpillar continued the Russell grader line for a couple of years, but then produced a new line of pull graders, from around early 1930, that were extensively redesigned and modernised over the Russell design.
This grader is essentially a Russell grader, and that puts it in the build period between Dec 1928 and perhaps mid-1930. If the S/N D-1501 commenced at the Cat takeover in Dec 1928, as we have to presume .. I would hazard a guess that the S/N of D2087 puts it in the 1929-1930 age bracket.
Someone may have a S/N book that lists pull grader build dates for S/N, but I don't have one.

Glad to hear you have fond memories of Perth and Fremantle on your Navy visits. Fremantle has been a U.S. Navy port of call since early WW2, when it was established as a U.S. Navy Submarine base, due to its remoteness and security from Jap attack.

My father worked in a galvanising works during WW2, and the majority of work carried out, in those works, was for the U.S. Navy. He didn't want to work there, he took the job on a temporary basis just before WW2, and actually joined the RAAF .. before his previous employers went wailing to the RAAF, and told them they couldn't have him, as he was Man-Powered for critical Defense work.
So .. he got sent back to the grotty galvanising works for the duration of the War, much to his disgust ..

This following webpage might be of interest to you .. and don't come back, and tell me, you've found some of your Dads Wartime buddies on it ..

Fremantle Submarine Base history .. http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/usnavy/f...marinebase.htm

Regards - Ron ..

[SJ]

According to the Cat SNID book the D1001 @ up is a 2 Blade Grader and the D1501 is listed as the 15 Blade Grader so this should sort them out.

[dtallon]

I've got a source that has been pretty accurate on the 1920's and 30's stuff. It has the following:

Fifteen Graders built in Minneapolis
1928 - D1501-D1650
1929 - D1651-D1950
1930 - D1951-D2150

Looks like yours is a '30.

Hope this helps.
Dave

[slarsonroy]

Thanks for all the info. Anyone interested in buying a 1930 "15" grader? Send me an email if you are. Its very interesting but I like antique motorcycles and my father in law likes tractors with motors, so its up for sale. He wants $1000 for it. Scott
Slarsonroy@L2speed.net