Hello all,

Have been reading a number of your posts since joining and since I am a newbie to owning this Cat (as my name suggests I just bought a D6 9U) I have a few questions. Sorry but I am not as experienced as some of you in working on these machines so forgive me if the questions I have are rather basic. This Cat has less than 3500 hours on it ( if the meter is correct) but yet the only steering it has is with the left and right brakes. No steering what so ever with the steering clutches at the levers.

Question is (without knowing too much at this time as I do not even have it home yet ) what am I looking at to replace the steering clutches etc., and is it possible (yet unlikely) that there is an adjustment that is all that is needed to get this beauty to steer properly? It was a farm Cat that now has added an 11-12 foot (roughly, I was too exicted at the price and function of the cat to measure it accurately) Holt angle blade. Sorry, I have no picts yet to post.

Any clues and words of advice will be REALLY appreciated. New to workin on this big machine and really do not know the workings. Have driven old ones like this a lot but never much interest in working on them until now owning my own. I'll try not to get to overly excited.

Last thing I need to tell you is this bugger is old, supposedly a 1948? Again, I am by no means an expert on this CAt and I do not think the prior owner was either.I will try to gather the s/n but it will be a while. The cat is 300 miles from my home at present and not scheduled to get here until early October.

Thanks

Congratulations on your new purchase, the D6-9U is a good machine.
That machine has a steering assist booster that will deliver manual steering if for some reason the booster fails. Are you getting full lever movement???
Best advice would be to get that serial number and obtain the manuals and study up on the workings.

Congratulations and Welcome to the board!

We don't mind questions, just have to get the information to answer them sometimes, so don't be offended if we need serial numbers, pictures etc. Might not NEED the pictures, but do appreciate seeing them!

Both of the old 9U's I have driven didn't steer much from just pulling the levers, you have to brake on that side at the same time to get much of a turn out of them. (much) later model tractors had brakes coupled with the clutch levers so you first disengage the clutch and if you pull more, you apply the brake.

First thing you need is an Owners instructions and maintenance manual so you can adjust and lube everything properly. Then if you want to get into the tractor, there is a Serviceman's Reference book for the tractor. It doesn't cover much about the engine other than water pump and engine removal and replacement. If you have engine problems and want information about fixing it, there is a SRB for it (4 1/2" bore 6 cylinder diesel, D318 engine, D6 tractor, DW10 etc.) There is also a parts book which should include your serial number on the cover so you can be sure to get the correct parts. the parts book will have all the engine parts, tractor parts and also many "attachments" like cab, lights, generator, electric start etc. Each large attachment like a CAT dozer, Cable control unit or hydraulic unit has the same collection of manuals, (owners, SRB, parts). The U series tractors probably were produced for a longer period of time and received more upgrades and improvements along the way than any other series before or since!


The good thing about the larger tractors like the old D6's is that removal of a steering clutch or transmission clutch or transmission etc, does not require as much disassembly as on the D2 and D4's. Of course everything is heavier and larger, but not having to remove a track, track frame and final drive to work on a steering clutch like on the D2 is a major improvement.

Whatever parts you need will be available from some source, either used or many times from CAT or aftermarket. Unfortunately the number of parts tractors is a lot lower than just a couple years ago and what CAT has usually costs a bundle unless it's available elsewhere. If the local NAPA or Baldwin dealer has filters for it, then CAT will probably be pretty close to the same price, but if no one else makes a part, look out!

Hope it runs good! But if it doesn't, someone can usually help with advice.

Yes, with no implement or load on the tractor pulling on the levers just disconnects the steering clutch with little effect on steering so braking would be required. If you are getting good steering response while braking....everything may be working just fine:)

OM and CCJ,

Guys thanks so much. To answer some questions, it does steer just fine with the brakes, but the rt seems to ake a secon to engage. Does this mean a SERIOUS problem or just one that wil eventually turninto one. In any case this is a "toy" for me to play with and do some work around the farm but not a heavy use CAT by any means. With the exception of the above the only issues are charging system and switch as they are non existent and as this was converted to a direct start there is no pony to worry about.

So, there it is. I paid a wopping 3k for it so I am not all that worried if I get it home and have to do a "few" things to get it right.

Thanks azgain for all the input

It's to early to worry about the steering. Get it home and give it a work out after lubing it up and checking the oil levels then see what it it needs.