Nice looking new toy! I'm still working on getting my D2 Cash Disposal Unit running. Your new toy is a 1949 model (if you didn't know already) according to my Serial number reference manual that I bought at the ACMOC tent at Portland.

Some of the oddity of these srial No's my D7 is 17a2468 and your D2 is 4U2345 numbers like that make them easy to remember lol be safe you will grow to love that machine just make sure your wife doesn't have to sell it to pay for the hospital after it hurt you

I was at an auction where there was a D2 for sale, standing a ways off talking to a young mechanic from the CatHouse-(Wagner GJ)...When the owner fired the pony to demonstrate it, this kid's head whipped around & he said "What's that?" Never heard one before...
So, don't be surprised they weren't too up on D2's...

"Weekend wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice from everyone. Special thanks to 'Mike Mc' for reminding me about the transmission/water. I checked this morning before getting to spreading about 60 yards of fill dirt down where it's pretty FLAT. I didn't care to climb far under the thing but I had already seen it was way over the full mark with a creamy chocolate milk color. From my cars interest I knew that was oil/water mixed. Next, I was able to do a quick search here to find the D2 took 8 quarts of transmission oil, 90W or so. I'll fill it tomorrow.

ol' Grump - thanks for mentioning the catapult danger. I did move over low trench area which yesterday had the front/blade dropping down and operator (me) almost left the drivers seat. The bronco incident was within the first 30 minutes of operating this new machine to me. I'll just admit that I got careless and once I neglected to respect the machine's weight and my inexperience I surely got into trouble. One replier said "it could have been worse" and that's saying it lightly. From that point I have been very very careful and focused on my dirt spreading. It is a D2 serial no. 4U2345.

Welcome, that is a nice crawler you have bought. Don't forget to check the two final drive compartments too, if your tranny had water contamination it is possible your final drives may too (my D2 did from bad gaskets), if you are not sure of the service history of any "new" old Cat I figure it's best to assume "No Service History!". The bottom rollers and front idlers will probably need lube too, with a blade on a lot of lazy folks never get down and take care of those important bearings that carry all the weight and shock of the tractor because they are hidden/ hard to reach because of the blade arms.

A Operators Book is essential for any old Cat, because it clearly outlines all the critical maintenance points on your tractor, like the oddball clutch thrust bearing zerk located on the flywheel, and the pilot motor pinion gearbox, and governer with it's seperate oil requirements. As the smarter than me folks say, do it once, do it right.

Good luck, you will have a lot of fun.
regards
Mike

As regards the ROPS: There never has been a real one manufactured for these machines by Cat. If you find one or make one, be aware that Cat also never made a proper place to attach it to the tractor. There's been lots of cabs of different types, but a ROPS might not be roll-over protection at all if you don't get it securely fastened to the basic chassis, not the running boards.

Also, if your blade lifts from the track frames (I've never seen a D2 that didn't), that thing can turn upside down in a flash if it isn't held down to the equalizer spring under the engine. Be sure to check that all the parts are there and connected.

Good to hear from you here on the BB. We'd like you to stay alive so you can keep it up!