Behold She Runs Day - 23 years ago

23 years ago, today I completed the mechanical restoration of the 1952 Caterpillar D25U and on that day little bulldozer roared to life once again... I had bought this machine at an estate auction in Gap, PA five months prior. The machine needed EVERYTHING rebuilt. The diesel was stuck from water getting it – the pony motor had thrown a rod – steering clutches were frozen – main clutch was rusted fast – hydraulics didn’t work and a long list of other things… Since then, it has given good service whenever called upon… We celebrate “Behold She Runs Day” every year.

Wow! I have followed your D2 journey and always wondered what became of it and your family. What became of your co-pilot Reggie?

I always enjoyed reading about your machine and wonder how many miles of snow you pushed for the neighborhood!

Please share some more sir! I want to blame you for my bad habit of "acquiring" old iron, after reading the stories. LOL

If you were close by, we could have showcased you and your machine at our latest club function!

That is a nice example of what a restoration should look like. Hmmmmmfff.... I think I am becoming inspired again. Buy another or fix up what I already have? Ohhhh, the tough decisions one must make. Thanks for sharing. JM

INSPIRATION - Thanks for posting, and you are inspiring others to follow your lead. WELL DONE! - CTS

Bill, glad to see you on this BB again. Was it 23 years ago… I didn’t think it was that long ago.

Dang it! I was going to fire up my D2 5U today but didn’t get my other chores done early enough. I should have made it happen! I’ll have to try to remember Behold She Runs Day and celebrate along with you!

Thanks for the update Bill. I see you have kept her busy enough to keep a nice shine on the tracks and blade.

Oh you remember Reggie! Reggie died in 2011 at the age of 10... Then came Rodger the Dachshund (maned after Roger Gerhart) - Rodger died Oct 15, 2025 at the age of 15-1/2... I am now borrowing Mrs. G's dachshund named Hazel (named after Shirley Booth) and she is plowing snow with me... :)

Hi, Bill.

Welkum back too ther 4um. I see you still need somebody riding along with you to tell you how to do it - glad to hear that you have been able to find a steady supply of copilots. You probably have some cherished memories of your previous 'mentors'. I always enjoyed seeing Reggie up there with you on the machines patiently guiding you.

LOL.

Just my 0.02.