BDA: Mr. CTS is a pretty savvy guy and great photographer. He is our "go to guy" when it comes to finessing the rope for the pony too. He also speaks in tongues while making it look so effortless. I keep my distance when he is sweet talking his D-2. (just teasing the guy)
Happy new year John. I hope that woke you up from your doldrums. JM

cts
Again, thanks for good info. I've copied your several posts and will work thru them point by point as we get ol yeller here back to work. You guys are a real inspiration and a severe short cut to learning the hard way. I appreciate you guys! Regards, BD

JM has two things right -- Winter time doldrums and my "love" for a certain 3J D2. The term "love" is not affection though! I think I learned how to "educate a sailor in the use of those special phrases and language" when pulling that rope, No - it really did nothing to help either the tractor or me!
The last time I started the old 3J, I had the best starter for a D2 --- I pulled it with the old faithful SIXTY - D2 lost that argument! Two pulls on that bar sure beat wrapping a rope around the flywheel of that starting engine!

The road of hard knocks and lessons learned is one many of us have travelled, some of us more than others.
We learn from each other, hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls others have experienced.

BDA --- just expect the unexpected with a machine you have no real history on and anything of the D2's era is going to be a search and hunt for parts along with $$$.
Caterpillar made a lot of "orphans" when management decided to abandon the older models.
I spent many an hour during my lunch break, when I worked for the local Cat dealer as a mechanic, track press operator, searching through microfilm files chasing Thirty parts. That was in early 1970's.
One could find the original part number then go through miles of film and changed numbers to find the words "discontinued, no longer available".

Best wishes and may 2023 bring you great adventures with your "new" toy!

CTS

Don't be too tough on your buddy there. I'm gonna have more questions for him as I get out of "elementary" school. All the best in 2023 to you old CAT lovers.
BDA

BDA -
You will find there is a lot of friendly banter here, keeps things lively! Friendships formed over the years with the common bond of CATERPILLARS!
Lots of "buddies" - some we probably will never meet face to face.

I especially liked your last three words "old CAT lovers" Are we "OLD" or are the "Cats" the old ones? I am figuring the OLD are the OLD CAT LOVERS -

(I for one, got left behind shortly after direct start machines were becoming the norm here) The "OLD" ones were user friendly, a tool box and owners manual, parts book, you could keep them running, now you have to be a computer "geek" and have the specialized training and software too!

Thanks for the wishes - and please, do not downgrade yourself - only way you learn is to get in with both feet, at least here there are lots of helping hands.

CTS

When I first bought mt D2 in 2000 i drove it on the trailer. A week later I went to play with it, and it was locked up. It was in the mid twenty's temps and the clutch compartment had water in it. A couple of hours with a torpedo heater blowing under it and it turned freely again. I drained a gallon of water the clutch compartment.

yes check simple things first. i wont mention a episode where the oldman installed the air filter upside down in the ute though he did have a excuse mum was giving him a ear bashing at the time.....