Local guy has a TD 20 for sale, not sure of the year, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what size cat this would compare to? D7? Also anyone have anything good or bad to say about the TD 20's? How would they compare to a similar size cat as far as working them, power, trannys, etc. Thanks for any input, hope I don't start a brand war here, thats not my intent. Jay

The TD-20 was roughly the size of the D-7 back in the early 60's with somwhere about 110 HP at the drawbar. Seems like every year the HP edged up in both Cat and IH tractors.

The 20's were made from the late 50's through the mid 80's so one would need a serial number or series number to know the exact HP.

Not all that familiar with the TD-20 but you will have a hard time beating a Cat for durability. I had a TD-9 once and it would have been great for driving in a parade but not worth a crap for good hard work.

I drove a TD20 when I was in the National Guard many years ago. I'd compare it to a D7 with a blown engine. It spent more time in the shop than on any job. As I recall it was a problem with prechambers and /or injectors.

When it occasionally ran it was nice to drive. The steering assist was live, ran off the engine so you didn't have to engage the clutch for it to work.

Jack

While I am not familiar with the TD20 I have had both a CAT D7 17A and a IHC TD18A as far as durability that is a good question. All CAT guys claim there is not a IHC crawler that does not crack heads the one I owned did NOT crack a head in over 20 years I had it. The D7 had the heads repaired shortly before I bought it. The IHC was considered in rather poor shape when I bought it,
Several CAT men who knew this cat told me the D7 was in super good shape when I bought it which helped me decide to buy it.
Why then did I have to spend 25 times as much on fixing the D7 in 3 years and 200 hours doing the same work as the TD18A did 3000 hours of? Same operator? So I believe it depends very much on who is running the machine and the conditions it is run under.I believe my D7 was abused by the person who used it one or 2 owners before I got it.
I am now looking for another dozer every CAT I have found in the 6 months has GUESS WHAT? a cracked head.
I believe how a machine is run has far more to do with how long it lasts and how it preforms then the name on the hood.

As for comparing power I always felt the GOOD D7 17A was a bit under the
POOR IHC TD 18A when it came to outright push.

Given the choice all seeming equal which would I choose. CAT but I would not be afraid of a IHC if one was found.

D.K. in S.K.

I should have added that the TD 18 worked fine. It was the TD20 that was in the shop half the time. Maybe it was just a lemon? I was told by sources that I considered questionable at the time, that the TD20 had a hopped up TD18 engine. Maybe that was the problem. I didn't run the 18, didn't run the 20 much, just serviced it. Maybe I was the problem?

As best I can recall, the 20 had a full speed reverse in all gears, the 18 did not, so the drivers much preferred it. But it was a long time ago.

Jack

Thanks for your opinons guys, haven't had time to do much of anything lately but still hope to get out and have a look at it. Jay

We have a TD20-200 which is the early naturally aspirated model. As has been mentioned cracked heads are one of the major issues. As mentioned if they're run properly the heads might live forever. I expect a Cat would be less challenging when it comes to finding parts. Check out the board over at Red Power too.