7U D4 companion of the 5U D2

Both were on same ranch for a long time. this is 7U31xxx 1955. Converted to Direct electric. This interesting, as it is 5 roller track frame.

Hi, brian18A

Congrats on both. Nice looking units. 'Kwestyun - if I may: Do the 5-roller track frame 'rocket launchers' launch any better or worse than the 4-roller ones?

I've only ever operated one, a Cat D5 9M that had been 'converted' to tail seat configuration, and that only on a graded driveway towing another tractor. It did seem to have a LOTTTT of hood out in front of the seat.

Just my 0.02.

I had better keep closer tabs on Brian18A! He manages to find his share of goodies! I LIKE IT! I hope he will spill the beans where he got these gems; I promise that I will not whimper. It is a rarity to get two orchard CATs in that clean of condition and from the same location. JuiceMan might have to wake up earlier to get the worm. Glad that you saved another pair of kitties.

For comparison, I will dig up my serial numbers and share some photos of a pair that I got from Woodland, CA a few years ago. Many years ago, the tailseat machines in my area were the Cadillac machine for the fruit and nut orchards. Seemed like every farmer owned one along with a small wheel tractor, say a Massey 35 or Ford of under 40 horsepower, when one could actually make a living off of 20 acres. Fast forward, everyone wants an air conditioned cab and at least 100 horses for the orchard and now you had better lay out for 500 acres or more if you want to survive. How times have changed.

I like how someone changed the fenders over to heavy plate instead of the factory sheetmetal; same on the tricked out hydraulic tank. I might have to borrow that idea for my next project.

As always, thank you for sharing. JM

Where were "you" when I was sitting in the seat of those orchard "rocket launchers"? Oh for the nice forward facing exhaust system, the "clean" hood, and HYDRAWLICS! Even Direct Electric Start, no more of those nasty ropes and electric shock treatments from those un booted spark plugs placed conveniently right next to the choke and throttle controls. Some "check busters" and a deflector for the fan blowing the dirt off the tracks would be nice additions. NICE FIND - Deas- anytime you lengthen the track frame it will improve the ride and with tailseat machines, the operator is placed way behind the center point of the machine, when it "breaks over" that distance multiplies the effect. Same principal as the "teeter-totter" in your playground. The "thrill" is just multiplied by the threat of those limbs tensioned as tight as a bow at full draw and the load under your backside just waiting for you! Some of the owners/operators changed the linkage on the master clutch to release upon being pulled to the rear, this was intended as a safety feature for those limbs coming over the hood with intentions of decapitating the operator. As JM so eloquently stated, the days of barking Cats with exhaust directly out of the manifolds (either to the side or just barely above the hood), rattling worn out tracks, rollers, idlers, no seat cushions ( thanks for the burlap sacks!) are long gone. If one were to experience the efforts of those "good ol' days" they would appreciate the comforts of today. Long gone are the ropes to control the lift mechanisms, the starting engines, the cranks, and the ubiquitous Number TWO round point shovel. No Caterpillar or wheel tractor was ever far from those Long Handled earthmovers! - cts

No worries CTS. I saved some rope machines just for YOU! Rope start, rope implements

Bonus get zapped in the morning to wake yourself up. No caffeine required and you never forget it.

Hi, cts.

You didn't answer my 'kwestyun' - Are the 5-roller machines more or less effective as 'rocket launchers' than the 4-roller units - or about the same?

Those 'rocket launcher' days are NOT 'gone'. A hi-sprocket machine can and will do it to you about as effectively if you are not awake to their tricks. The leverage may be different but the effect is still the same.

If'n yer gonna ask meow I know, I'll get in first and tell you that a Cat told me. If yer gonna be real nosey and wanna know what kinda Cat, it wozza D9T.

Just my 0.02

Deas, Simple answer - DEPENDS -- every machine is configured differently, some with hydraulic units, some with toolbars, some with dozer blades of one type or another, any differences in weight by location will change those variables. The "rocket launch" effect has to do with the center of gravity or if you will "breakover point". Multiple factors, play into any operation of any piece of equipment, the one biggest variable is the ability of the operator. Pulling an implement behind a "tailseat" Cat, I would be very happy to have a 5 roller vs 4 roller track frame. Same as asking if Standard Gauge vs Wide Gauge - for traction and turning under load, Wide Gauge wins along with much greater stability in general. Working orchards is a different world than open field conditions, much less forgiving for any errors in judgement, no place to take your mind or eye off the conditions at all times. Since the advent and adoption of drip/sprinkler irrigation and non cultivation practices, few practice pulling tillage equipment today. Mowers and low profile wheel tractors with devices to protect the operator and machine are now standard practice. As JM has stated in several postings, the small acreage farms/orchards are no longer viable. Without prejudice, the small wheel engines of the various makes and colors as well as the small tracklayers are relics of the past times. The farms that ran IHC's small tracklayers, the McCormick series to the TD-6 & 9's, AC with the ever popular Model M, and Caterpillar, the models from ten to D4 are now just memories. -- cts

Very Nice find there, I like the side mounted tank also

Kubota orchard tractor. A/C and radio blearing with no branches to drag you out of your seat. Pulled the last remaining hair out trying to fix this one.

Hi, cts.

I am VERY familiar with the general principles. You can even get that same effect, although to a lesser degree, with top seat crawlers. And it can work at 'shortening your spine'when travelling in reverse.

It is the 'breakover point' that does the 'rocket launching' with the hi-sprocket crawlers too. But, instead of how far BEHIND the breakover point you are seated being the issue, it how far ABOVE the breakover point you are seated that causes the 'launching'.

CARE is ADVISED.

Onna slightly different note, one operator running a D9G 'dozer through the bush at night - taking a short cut - with only the headlights to show the way came to a STEEP-sided gully about 6 feet deep and about 30 feet wide. He could not see it until he broke through the thick bush which grew right up to edge of said gully and so he 'flew' into the gully at about 6.5 miles per hour - SUDDEN vertical stop when the machine hit the bottom of the gully - lucky for him he had the blade close to right up - and a sudden horizontal stop when the blade hit the other bank of the gully.

Fortunately for both the operator and the 'dozer, he encountered the gully at almost a perfect right angle. He was SEVERELY shaken by these two stops in quick succession - - - and was henceforth content to stay on the access roads instead of taking 'short cuts'.

Surprisingly, the D9G escaped unscathed.

Just my 0.02.

ChrisE you guys get a bit of iron from the states. Is that a Nelson cab or Sutter Buttes Mfg? I still own an ancient M9000 open station with Nelson fenders. Very reliable; we traded a really nice 8030 to upgrade to the 9000. After that, the entire wheel engine fleet here became JD green until big brother decided he didn't want to farm anymore.