Hello everybody; I'm thinking of buying this 1942 D8. The guy says it runs and steers well but we didn't run it. He also put a new radiator core in it. What problems are common to these? Anything I should look out for? I noticed one of the sprockets was welded on every spoke like they had broken it clean off a long time ago. He wants $2500 for it. Thanks for any info/advice you have. Alex

Where to begin? Well, wow, there are so many concerns I'd have. First, I think I'd want to see it run for that money. And steer, too. If that test is OK, then I'd want to examine the undercarriage for condition. You don't say what you want to do with the tractor. If all you want to do is parade it, then its condition can be poorer. If you want to work it, then it has to be in much better condition. From the photo, I'd think it more likely it is a "parts" tractor. But what do I know? $2,500 sounds steep too, unless in working condition. My 2 cents. Others on this bb are much more knowledgeable than I am. GWH

As for welding on it it,s probably had a new rim put on (new rim with the teeth) as Cat & other Companies sell them so the old one is cut off and the new one welded on like you described.Later tractors the teeth were just bolted on and the rest of the sprocket was bored to take the bolts. It sounds like it might be an 8R serial number tractor as they came out in 1941.GWH gave you some good advice and if you know someone that knows those older tractors then get them to take a look at it for you would help.

Just curious, did you buy it.

Thanks for all the info so far. I haven't bought it yet. I would like to go back and run it and see how well it works. I want to use it occasionally on my property to move dirt and make roads. The owner showed me all the roads he made with it. He said he stopped driving it because the right brake adjustment rod broke. It sounds like he may have been really standing on it. How hard is it to replace brake lining and turning clutch lining in these things? How well does the cable lift blade work on these things? The left sprocket seems more worn than the right. The pins/bushings looked OK. What happens if the sprocket teeth wear too much? Thanks again Al

Worn sprocket teeth can cause excess wear on the bushings of the track & also can cause a track to jump off more easily too esp. on a turn. As I mentioned above before in my post that there is weld on rims to repair the worn teeth.

I think it would be very wise to go and drive the thing first, if it runs. Take a tape measure and measure the distance across 5 pins, record the part number on the links, and somebody here can give you some idea of what's left in the U/C dept...... $2500 sounds like it would be worth it for a good machine, but that story about the brake rod breaking sounds fishy. As for the turning brake and clutch..... remember, this is a D8, and things are BIG and HEAVY..... steering clutch is not that easy of a job. If the U/C is nearly wore out, it'll cost more to replace than the whole machine is worth. On the other board, a guy bought an 8 and then he bought a junker for the U/C..... From what I understand, you have to be VERY careful when buying an 8 that is this old. I see you are in CA, and it seems that they are quite plentiful there.....

Rodney

That machine is probably worth more than $2500 in scrap altho it is a lot of work cutting it up or parting it out. If it does run ,use till it quits then scrap it. Do you have any expereince with equipment? These old machines are fairly simple compared to modern machines technecly, but may require a litttle more skill to operate. And the old machines don't have the safety features of the new and they will get you if you give them a chance. I have an old D7 and love to run it and have gotten a lot of work out of it. I replaced the steering cluthes, brakes, pins and bushings and a few other odds and ends and spent about $5000 just in parts. You gotta love it!

I ahve never operated anything like this machine before. I've run tractor a lot, though. I really like the machine and I can just imagine how it sounds! I think I've been bitten by the bug or something! I need to go back out there and here it run, drive it (if the brake works) and take some pictures and measurements of the undercarriage. Then I will post them on this thread and see what you guys think. I can't wait to see how it starts with that pony motor. An old timer told me he rebuilt one of those pony motors once. It took him four tries to get a good crankshaft for it! Thanks again! Alex

How long have you been looking for a machine? Why a D8? How far away is it and what will it cost you to get it home? When you go to run it, tell the guy to leave it alone until you get there. Tell him you do not want it to be running and go in the morning so if he does start it, he will have to do it pretty early so you do not feel the warm engine(s).

That is a big tractor. If you need to work on it, believe me, the shear mass of the most basic parts will overwhelm you if you do not have the means or place to work on it.

My brief experience tells me that a tractor in half again in better shape is worth twice the money of one that is iffy or you know may need repairs. Unless of course you are prepped and ready with eyes wide open. If that is the case, have fun.

Keep looking. You have come to one of the right places. You will find just what you want. One thing for sure, there are a lot of machines that come available in California. Nevertheless, Good Luck.

bernie