Hi, Steamdrum1.
Does this help?



It is the only one I have to hand at the moment - may have more later after some searching through folders.

Looks like a GREAT project and a fitting end for a machine that gave such great service. Thanks for sharing.

Just my 0.02.

Hello Steamdrum , restoring a 657 of the sixties is a marveless idea . Here are some pics of the back side . I operated these machines for many hours but the man in your story is the champion with 30 years . I have v ery good remembrances to these pans . Were and still are great producers .
I stll have the original operator's handbooks .
Lots of succes with it .
Johan7 , the Netherlands

Just the pics I was looking for! Thanks guys that is a big help! The panel below the rear radiator has to clear some equipment on top of the transmission so I knew it couldn't be just a flat panel. Now I can get some measurements and have the tin shop make the replacement.
The cab will remain off. The safety dept will prob have a fit over that but, that was how she was built and its not going to be moving dirt anymore (unless I can sneak it over into the field across the street from the plant lol!) When finished it will be put on display. I am trying hard to convince management to keep it operational and not just a static display. I think it would be nice to be able to drive it in some local parades and such. Thanks again for the help, and I will get more pictures as things move along. Bill

"johan7" wrote:

Hello Steamdrum , restoring a 657 of the sixties is a marveless idea . Here are some pics of the back side . I operated these machines for many hours but the man in your story is the champion with 30 years . I have very good remembrances to these pans . Were and still are great producers .
I stll have the original operator's handbooks .
Lots of succes with it .
Johan7 , the Netherlands

Is that radial tires on this one back in the 60's?

Hello , yes indeed , these tires from Michelin proved to be the best for most of our conditions . We mostly had to do with sandy soils and these tires gave the most traction .

Also , they had very flexible side walls that helped a little for a more comfortable ride .

In heavy bouncing these tires could get a width the double of normal when hitting the ground and fully loaded .

Have a nice day , johan7

The 657s we roaded from Minnesota in North Dakota in the 70s were all bias tired. I wonder if radials were an option here at that time. Truck radicals were just getting more acceptance at the time.

Have an update on the 657. I got some measurements and built a new windshield from scratch. Just got it back from the glass shop this morning and installed it. I think it looks good on there!

"steamdrum1" wrote:

Have an update on the 657. I got some measurements and built a new windshield from scratch. Just got it back from the glass shop this morning and installed it. I think it looks good on there!

Looking great there right now, cant wait to follow the progress further, story for the magazine i suspect.

Work is progressing on the 657. She just came out of the paint system today, and looks darn good. Do any of you know a source for the correct decals for this machine. The decals that are still available from Cat are the ones with the corporate C logo and would not be correct for 1962. Even drawings or good pictures would be appreciated. if I can translate some dimensions and have a few good pictures I can have a local graphics company make a set of decals. Thanks for the help Bill