Hi, PhilC.
The main frame rails on the 15A D8s were about a foot longer than on the 14As to accommodate the torque converter. which put the engine and the hard nose that much further ahead of the equalizer spring. This would cause a fair bit of additional leverage on the frame rails which may also have some bearing on them being cracked back near the steering clutch cases.

Just my 0.02.

Hello Deas
I did not know the 14A's had a shorter frame.

One of the reasons I thought it might be caused by hydraulic pressure is that out of my three D8's the hydraulic one is the only one with a cracked frame. One has a CCU on the front and a winch on the rear and the other has the CCU on the rear in between the rippers.

Regards

Phil

Hi, PhilC.
The ability of hydraulics to make down pressure on the blade could be a contributing factor as well 'cos that could load up the frame in the opposite direction with the weight of the engine and tracks hanging down between the rams and the steering clutch case courtesy of the equalizer spring. One would hope that Cat's design engineers took that into consideration when designing the beast 'cos that's what they get paid for.

Just my 0.02.