new to caterpillars...looking at buying a D6-9U cable dozer(front mount cable drive). It has been sitting for two years in a shed. Has a 6 volt electric start pony motor. When I got to the guys place he said the pony motor battery was dead, so he suggest we pull the dozer to get it started. I asked if we could charge up the battery( I had the time to wait). He said he rather not..just pull start it.I asked if the pony motor was in working order. He stated that he thought it was the last time he used it. Anyway he got it started by pulling it. Couple issues...first the engine had a miss... I mean the hood on engine was was shaking..and some white smoke at idle. He claim after it warmed up it would stop missing...well it never did after about fifteen minutes minutes of running. There seems to be a problem with the clutch cause after he got it started by pulling he was able to disengage the clutch to stop the dozer and unlook the chain...however when he drove it a ways up the hill and stopped...we could not get the clutch to disengage completely to get it back in gear so I could drive it. Also just below and forward of your left foot below the operators platform..on the clutch housing I believe...I saw small amounts of oil pulsing out of a opening...hole . he is asking $4000 as is.. the tracks and rollers etc are in pretty good shape..maybe 80% I walked away...what are your guys thoughts..thanks Joe

Keep walking. . . .

Back away quick….holding up a Silver Cross!
Kelly

My advice is to run away .. not walk away .. from a rig like that, with one problem after another .. unless you're looking to do a ground-up restoration! That tractor is only worth scrap value .. and scrap prices have halved as well, just to give that seller more heartburn! ..

sidehill6600, you've got it from the best of authorities.

The D69U is a very nice machine to run; it is well balanced. I have only driven one once, and even I, who have driven very few Cats, was impressed. I drive mostly 1930s Cat tractors. My next acquisition may very well be a D69U or a D5AG ag cat of nearly the same vintage. Keep up the search. You can advertise here for your wants, or if you are a member of ACMOC, you can post a wanted advertisement in our bi-monthly magazine. GWH

Sorry guys,
But I think you are a little to quick to write this one off.
First off I'd like to see the general condition.....and if the undercarriage is at 80% which is the highest cost replacement item.
I'd also like to know the serial number and whether or not it has the oil clutch and that oil seepage may be nothing more than a missing bolt on the oil clutch housing.
Something that has sat in the barn for at least 2 years.....which usually translates to at least double that time is bound to run rough depending on fuel and level of contamination.....15 minutes run time is not a warm up.
Sticky clutch is a concern but doesn't necessarily mean it is terminal. Obviously a working demonstration is required.

The 9U is one of Cat's best built tractors and most led a hard working life so finding some cherry laying around for cheap is not real likely.

You didn't mention anything about oil pressure.

Yes, it's pretty obvious the owner is not interested in promoting the sale but the usual process is to use the observed ailments (providing they are not terminal) to beat down the price.....probably about half the asking.

My advice would be to get someone who knows tractors, the 9U's in particular, to assist you in making a thorough assessment. Obviously it is going to take some work and you may or may not be capable of doing it, or want to, whatever you decide.
Parts, both used and new are still readily available and the 9U is well worth some effort.

Wouldn't be the first time I have seen a sleeper come out of this kind of deal:)

Admittedly, there are some sleepers where you can score a good deal .. but this one doesn't appear to be one to me.

There are numerous factors in this deal information that put me right off .. and they are ..

1. The seller is deceptive. I, like the largest proportion of people, appreciate when a seller is "up-front" about problems. The story associated with the pony is pure deceptiveness, and possibly hides a whole lot more untruths and bigger problems.

2. The sellers attitude to maintenance is a crucial factor when looking at a tractor. Too many people operate tractors on the basis on minimal maintenance, and "put-off" repairs. This appears to be one of those tractors.
These type of people run tractors into the ground, and refuse to fix or maintain anything. If something stops working, they will find a "work-around" such as a pull-start, rather than fix the problem.

I'd much rather see a list of documented repairs presented to me .. rather than a statement such as .. "I've owned it for 25 years, and never spent a cent on it!! .. "
This invariably means, of course, that the new owner is facing a list of repair requirements, that have built up steadily over the years ..

3. 80% undercarriage is a estimation by eye. I defy anyone to come up with an accurate undercarriage measurement, by eye alone. Measuring devices such as tape and calipers give the precise measure of wear, or life left .. and are absolutely essential to getting an accurate representation of undercarriage condition.
You never see a Cat CTS man "eyeball" your undercarriage, do you? - they take precise measurements and calculate accordingly.

4. The problems listed are not a comprehensive list, gleaned by close examination of every operating part of the tractor. An inspection of a used tractor is not done on a cursory basis .. properly done, it involves a list or chart outlining every component .. any problems found .. component condition .. repairs needed .. and rectification needed.

This is a standard military and dealer approach, and is a very wise approach to take, in relation to any used equipment purchase.
I've made my own inspection charts, based on military lines, for every type of equipment .. and many people I've assisted with machine inspections, were quite stunned to see my charts .. and more importantly, were often surprised at the end result, of seeing all faults and repairs needed, documented on one simple form.

I agree with you both!
In my estimation if someone is not wanting to take the time to charge up a dead battery, there is something wrong with the pony. Shaking when idling is a concern in my opinion. Sticky clutch may very well be just plain sticky. U/C would definitely need to be measured as I say that the U/C on my tractor is 80% but my basis is years of looking at stretched past prime junk! In respect to is it "Salvagable" for minimal repairs and be a good runner? Or is it got deep mechanical issues?

Well that is in the eyes of a mechanically capable person only.
I'd offer half for it or maybe just a little more than Scrap value.

There is the other side of the coin here guys. If we were to let all D6-9U tractors go to China then future generations would be all excited that they found this very tractor in the shed.
Everyone would say "Grab it Up!"
Bottom line is that maybe we should not be so hasty in walking away from this one. After all it needs to be saved as much as that CAT 60 in Vancouver in the above thread.
Philosophy at 6am is dangerous!

drujin, I haven't changed my clock either. Got up an hour early. Ugh!

If you are not intrested I may if you don't mind . You could email the number and name to me