bought a D7 48A

You high hp(180) D7E looks very good. I have never seen a cab equipped D7E that nice. Please take care of that starting engine, they are expensive to replace. Don't be in a hurry to start the main engine, let the starting engine warm-up thourghly before engaging the pinion to crank the diesel. The exhaust from the starting engine is routed through a passage in the intake manifold of the diesel engine. Allowing the starting engine to warm-up makes the diesel engine start easier. Trying to crank the diesel engine with a cold starting engine is the most common mistake and has led to the early failure of many starting engines.
I suggest you purchase a Caterpillar Operation and Maintenance Instructions book for your tractor. The book for 48A-1 UP is good and is available on ebay. I would also suggest a Parts Book and a Service Manual. What you don't know can hurt you.
Happy Dozing :cool2:

It's the same age as me then! I have a parts manual and winch operation and parts manual. I bought another manual on ebay today that is a military manual that covers this tractor. It was cheap, cheap so we will see how in depth it is. Most are pretty good. I'll keep shopping for Cat original manuals, I want to have them on hand in case the power shift needs anything, and also since this is my only power shift machine I want to learn more about maintaining and trouble shooting it.

I do plan to fix the pony motor once it is closer to my shop. I have operated a D7F and D8K before so this isn't terribly out of my wheel house, I have always liked the D7E and the turbo sound is pretty sweet. This machine even has a functional back up alarm installed. I was tickled to find it and got a good deal in my opinion. I only wish it was a Hydraulic tilt straight blade, but I will be alright with this too.

That is a very straight and tidy tractor for its age, the tracks look a little bit 'stretched' its a pity you can't see the bottom rollers to check how much pin boss/flange clearance there is to check on link wear. As already said, warm the starting engine well, wait until oil pressure comes up before putting the main on full compression with the throttle SHUT OFF, then wait until the main engine starts to beat before opening the throttle for a clean start. Neat diesel on top of the pistons before the main is ready to start puts a lot of load on the pony/donkey engine.

Looks like a fairly neat machine to me well done and I hope it all works out well for you

Paul

Its a nice tractor but I'd have to say this one is nice and tidy for its age. 12342
Gary

The track rollers were all replaced with new last year, the guy I bought it from was at my wedding and went to school with my father in law so I'm pretty sure of what he is telling me. I know the pony will need attention but I'm not scared of that either. I do think it is pretty tidy myself, I was all over it and I'd wager folks have bought worse for more money. I have a guy lined up to haul it and it can hang with the rest of the girls here. It was clean when I got there, the mud came from running it a bit and pushing off some piles, It has all it's track guards in place still.

Rome I think that has a nice dupont tune up, and lots of mosquito netting too!! Funny thing with all that brush guard it should have this logging winch on it. Pretty to look at though.

Allot more, and NOT a Dupont tune up! Bought this machine new, 20,000 + hours on her, it just had finals rebuilt at that time, I completely sandblasted primed and painted it. Anyway hope your tractor does what you need it too, have fun. Just a note, don't ever overheat it, keep the cooling system up to par.
Gary

Oh, and have fun replacing and washing your windows! lol