Borrowed a friend's 5 yd truck and trailer this morning and picked up the newest addition, a D4 7U 4793. It had sat in a field for over 10 years, then started once a year ago and moved under it's own power. I was surprised it started as easily as it did this morning, only took an hour and a half. Thank GAWD for electric start!!!! Sure was nice to hear the main engine cough, burp, fire and settle into a nice rumble:D . Good oil pressure and temp gauge barely gets into the lower side of the green. .gotta check that thermostat too!

Only a few minor?? problems with it. Carb needs taken apart and cleaned, steering clutches need adjustment, main clutch needs adjusted as it won't snap in. (Could condensation be absorbed by the clutch disk and swell up????) Also, the starting clutch needs some adjustment and the pinion lever needs freed up a bit. Then, time to back into the friendly Cat dealer and get some fuel filters and if . . IF they have it, a new oil filter or two. Then off to NAPA for a couple'a buckets of Delo and 80W 90, gasket mat'l and a few tubes of Ol' Gorilla Snot (silicone).

For it's age, how long it sat and what it was used for, I can't complain:)

That is a nice looking D4!

Looks good from here:D
More than likely ya got a little rust on the clutch plates, don't think the disc is much on absorbing water. May have to back off on the adjustment for awhile.

So what would a machine like that, in that condition be worth?

When I started looking around, I found quite a few older 4's in eastern Oregon. Most were farm cats but there were a few that were used in mining and logging. Asking prices ranged from $1500 (and trust me, that one was WELL used, abused and ready for scrap) to $3000 and up for ones that ran. I did find one D8 that could have been had just for the hauling away! It's strange but thinking back I didn't see but a couple of D6's, however D2's, 4's and cable blade 8's seemed to be the most common. Winches on the various Cats aren't all that uncommon either.

If you're in the eastern part of the state, just driving around the gravel roads and talking to ranchers and farmers is probably the best way to find stuff. And there are some REAL out-of-the way roads. Ya sure don't wanna drive a belly dragger for an outing like that!!! It's amazing how much old equipment is parked behind the barn or in their own scrap pile. Almost no one throws anything away. .it just might be useful someday. .lol