Approximate Year and Size of This Old Cat

[ACcrazy]

Good morning, gentlemen. I have driven by this machine for years and finally decided to stop and have a look. She's pretty big. Maybe a D-8? It is parked at a heavy truck repair shop and I didn't really want to stick around too long with nobody around, so I snapped some quick pics and was on my way. So, anyone care to take a stab at the year and model?

Hmmmm.... don't know why I can't upload pics directly here. I don't have a problem on other sites.

I just noticed it says D-8 on the winch. D'oh!

 

[Old Magnet]

Appears to be a D8E 14A model (1954-58)
Has added hydraulic tilt on blade.

 

[X Quad Operator]

I think it looks like a D8-14A the floor boards don't look long enough to be a D8-15A and it has to have a front end unit.

Mike Nebergall

 

[95zIV]

If you can get a picture of the serial number plate or just get the serial number off the machine then I'm sure someone on here will be able to get you exact information on that machine.

 

[X Quad Operator]

Good morning ACcrazy are you close enough to go back and get a photo of the serial number like 95zIV suggested? I sorta remember, and it's been a long time for me, there was as serial number on the bottom of the dash down next to the floor boards beside the compression release, I dont remember a serial number on that vintage D8 on the back left side of the winch like the 46A's had through the present model tractors of today, the serial numbers there usually stamped there if the serial number tag is missing, look foe the head of the rivets there usually there. Enjoy today. Go look at my question I asked the other day maybe you might be able to answer my question.

Mike Nebergall

 

[Old Magnet]

Definately a 14A, the 15A would have two more gauges for torque converter temperature and pressure. Also the shift pattern is different. S/N locations are on the rear of the steering clutch case (hidden by winch) and the left rear of the main engine behind the pony transmission.

 

[ACcrazy]

Thanks for all the responses; you guys are great! I have no real reason for wanting this info. other than just curiosity sake.
X Quad, yes, I'm close enough to go have another snoop around. Maybe I'll do that and get a couple more pics.

On a related note, a riding buddy of mine is gonna show me another old Cat sitting for years out in the woods. We're going for a ride today and that's one of the stops we're making. I'll grab some pics of it as well and post them here.

 

[X Quad Operator]

Have fun hope the other cats in as good shape as the 14A is.


Mike Nwbergall

 

[Kelly]

No question that old girl is a 14A. as OM said is correct on the gauges. Also look a little lower on the dash and you’ll see the shifting diagram showing a 5 speed transmission.
Kelly

 

[ACcrazy]

Okay, went by the other old girl yesterday and here she is. Unfortunately, pretty used up and neglected.

 

[JDOFMEMI]

Looks like it got left where it died at.

 

[Buckethead]

The one in the second set of pics looks like a D8 2U or 13A.

 

[X Quad Operator]

Good morning Buckethead, thats defenately a 13A with that front end unit, and the engine calouing, what a neat find it's a shame that there's not more people in the United States restoring older equiptment when you find something that looks as good as this 13A.


Mike Nebergall

 

[ACcrazy]

Wow, so the second one is a D-8 as well? I thought it might be a 7 because it is quite a bit smaller than the first one.
Ya know, it wouldn't be too hard to salvage this old girl; it's only about 50 yards off a 2 lane paved county road. There's a residence not far as well. Some dogs were barking a little way off-- I'm sure because they could hear us crunching around on the dried out leaves and sticks and whatnot.
It's unfortunate the exhaust pipe had rotted off and the manifold left uncovered. So there's no doubt the engine's full of water.

 

[ACcrazy]

Not a Cat but still a cool old dozer left to die of rust. They pulled it off the main logging road after it quit steering. Been there since the '70s. Allis-Chalmers HD-21. My uncle and I tried to buy it in the early '90s but they weren't selling.

 

[Old Magnet]

That second set of pictures is a regular D8-2U model. 13A's had a different gauge pod arrangement and single seat with wrap around fuel tank. The engine side covers are an optional attachment.

 

[2stickbill]

Wish I was close to the Cat in the woods.About a week I would be pushing trees with it.

 

[pp13bnos]

Always sad when old equipment is left to rot away.

 

[ACcrazy]

Wish I was close to the Cat in the woods.About a week I would be pushing trees with it.

I wish you were too. I'd love to see it animated again.

Always sad when old equipment is left to rot away.

Yes it is, I hate it. It just seems like such a friggin' waste to me.

 

[X Quad Operator]

ACcrazy what a fantastic find it's either a Allis-Chalmers AC21, or AC16, I'm leaning towards the AC21 dozer in the late 50's was the hot push cat, I remember a company in california by the name of Riley & sons, construction they teamed the AC21 with the D8-15A and they were pushing fools pushing DW20, and DW21's, both tractors were torque converters models, I think the AC21 it was a far supperior tractor than the D8-15A or the D8-14A dozers, if you had two new tractors one an AC21, and the other a D8-15A, sitting side by side and you told me to pick one I'm positive I'd walk over to the D8-15A dozer. Those pictures of the AC21, it looks like it has a Caterpillar angle dozer on it? Any body know of a equiptment muesium around ACcrazys area that could be contacted, its a shame to let these three tractors sit where nobody can enjoy them and tell stories of the past. Good luck.

Mike Nebergall