Rd 6

The RD6 is a genuine antique Cat, and was built from 1935 to 1941. It was based on the earlier Diesel Forty, but had many engineering improvements.
The RD6 came in two versions - the very early 5E S/N prefix .. of which only a handful were built. The 5E was powered by the 3 cyl D6100 model engine, of 5 1/4" bore x 8" stroke.
The 5E series was replaced by the 2H S/N prefix in 1935, when the engine was uprated to the 5 3/4" bore D6600 engine. In late 1937, the "R" was dropped from the nomenclature, and the tractor became just the D6.
Approximately 10,000 2H series, RD6's and D6's were built.

The major item that affects a crawler tractors value and restoration cost, is the undercarriage. If the undercarriage is shot, its worth little more than scrap value. If the undercarriage is good, it can be a very satisfactory proposition to restore the tractor.

Values vary from area to area, and prices paid depend on many factors, such as remoteness of the tractor location, ease of hauling, the number of people interested in it, the historical value, and the overall condition.

A beat-up tractor that has been abused all its life, and worked to death, won't generate much interest .. but one that has had some care and maintenance, and has straight sheet metal, no missing parts, runs satisfactorily, and has a genuine seller, will find buyers at fairly good money. Prices will vary from $1000 for a poor example to maybe $6-$8,000 for a good example.

Remember that Cats of this age are antiques, and parts are scarce, and restoration of Cats can't be done on a shoestring budget. Having said that, you will get plenty of assistance from the antique Cat forums if you need it .. and if you enjoy bringing these old girls back to their former glory, it is very satisfying to hear and see them as they were in their heyday. These Cats were built to last.

I had an 1938 RD6 dozer 2H, Bee Gee pump, roller cable hydraulics, newer paint, 85% under carrage, new seat, old style ROPPS. Great running. Pony was a bit of a chore because the crank was nestled back in raditor underside armored plating. Was used mostly in early years pushing Gypsum in the Salinas CA lettuce fields. I sold it to first looker for $8,000.00 that was in 2007. I sure miss that tractor, very, very reliable low maintenance and light footed. I bought it a couple years earlier. Did a few light restoration mechanical things, painted it, used it, and doubled my $$. Was a fine machine in deed! Is the one your looking at a dozer, and how's the Pony??

It is amazing what a coat of paint will do for price! An RD6 is not rare. They usually sell for far less than the $8K cited above. They are not as nice operating as a D6 9U. GWH

There is nothing like the sound of that three cylinder engine working hard.
Thanks
Ken

I find it very hard to beleave anyone did or would pay $8000 for one, There is really nice RD6 dozer now on C/L in Lodi area for $4000 and its been on for couple months with no buyers ([email protected]) Brain Mc Cloud and I went to ranch few miles from here where farmer had very nice Diesel 40 with lights and ran good for $2000 and heres 1 I dought from collector in Redding about a yr ago for $200 and went straight to work pulling disc and scraper. I sold 1 for $1500 about month ago that i had forsale for 5 yrs, so not sure where you guys gettin these prices, about a yr ago I passed on 3 diesel 35s for $800 ea. one is now in ACMOC mag for $10.000, the most they were ever worth is when junk was at $400 per ton. Heres one I'm unloading last summer the cost was $200 and 2 ModelT engines that were burried In neighbors scrap pile for 50 yrs and Iwould have sold it for $2500 but now that Oz the guy that couldnt get any farther away from the USA says they are worth $8000 now I want to sell it for $4000.Help find me a sucker too Please LOL

I've been looking for about a year to try to find a decent priced 3 cylinder Cat that isn't so far away it would cost me another $3,000 to get it to where I live. It's probably a good thing I don't live in an area that has so many old Cats so cheap, I'd be out of room by now.😊

Before you jump down my throat about wild pricing .. the guy asked what they were worth, and I gave ballpark figures to him .. indicating each end of the spectrum.
Haole Cat provided proof that he sold an RD6 for $8K. The original questioner did not provide any accurate description whatsoever, of what he was looking at. However, he did say .. "real good shape" .. 😊

The variations can run from a bare Cat, beat-up, worked hard and put away wet .. to a very good, well-cared-for, barn-stored tractor, fitted with a nice blade, winch, and with 90% undercarriage .. which I'm pretty sure, if Willie had one, he wouldn't be letting go for $2000 .. 😄

If a really nice, fully equipped, RD6, with excellent undercarriage, appeared for sale, in a highly populated area .. and the buyer only lived a few miles away .. I'm sure the seller would get some decent money for it, particularly if he was a canny seller. I only quoted pricing at the extremes, for the gentleman.

I agree with the pricing. If the machine is in good condition to excellent condition and you don't need to spend alot of time on it they are worth the money. Last summer a d6 for scrap whole was worth $1500. Good track chains alone are worth $2500. Try buying a bottom for a machine from cat and see how much it is. My D4H bottom was estimated at $15,000, parts only. I priced a berco on for a 6 2 years ago and that was $7000. The cost of transportation is an issue, need to figure that into the whole picture. If you want it bad enough, you will figure out a way to justify it. After the last round of scrapping these things will become more valuable. Good complete machine is worth the money.