D8 15A fuel driven torque converter?

I don't know much about the history other than it being Cat's and other manufactures venture into what eventually became the power shift transmission.

Biggest problem at the time was the carbon type seals that required constant drippage of fuel for cooling and lubrication. Other than that they performed well so long as you didn't run low or out of fuel.

Thank you for the information Old Magnet. My curiosity was prompted by the "fuel transfer pump" thread recently. I then recalled when my father and another contractor were discussing the "fuel driven converter" years ago when I was too young to really understand.

converters were made by twin disc for cat. were a 3 stage converter with 3 turbines and 2 stators, and a massive 5-1 torque multiplication. Needed to run with a certain amount of load as overheating would occur with too much or too little load. Had a dry master clutch before converter and manuel shift 3F 3R constant mesh gearbox. As OM said the carbon face seals were problematic and they had to leak. Never block the bleed pipes. Also if you ran out of fuel had to bleed converter as well as fuel injection system.
Design also continued into the D8H era with the 35A series, with about 771 built.

The info is appreciated. Thank you Mervyn for taking the time to reply and enlighten me.
Craig

I need to correct myself!! The original torque converter seals were labyrinth type. I believe the carbon type was an attempted substitute using refrigerant compressor seals.

Hi Mervyn,
I used to cart logs from a fellow in Waikanae who had a D9 that had a manual clutch and a torque convertor - I'm guessing the same arrangement?

Mervyn, Had a D337F with a TD diesel torque in a 150 Ton Brown Hoist Crane, Would heat up when traveling, Tried everything, rebuilt it, come to find out all it needed was a load, hooked a few boxcars to it then it was fine. Finning rebuilt the engine, Had maybe had 100 hrs on it , RR Donated it to a museum, Now it sits rusting . I run a D9, 19A with the TD Diesel Torque and Dry Clutch, no problems when I had it, Ken

Hi team,
painter is back this week and all books are in storage but I can offer the following scans on over heating and operation.

Cat came out with a Tachometer to enable the operator to better choose the correct gear to keep the needed load on the TC.
Too little load or too much load they overheat.
From memory, the free wheel clutch was removed later on due to unsuitability and/or failures
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Hi Neil; yep D9D 19A was same set up
That D9 would have been Horowhenua earthworks.Is bush rigged with a carco winch. Is supposed to be still down there intact, got a mate there who knows all about it