ACMOC
Login
ACMOC
D2 crawler to dozer conversion

D2 crawler to dozer conversion

Showing 1 to 10 of 17 results
1
Kendog_M
Topic Author
Offline
Member
Send a private message to Kendog_M
Posts: 10
Thank you received: 0
Hi everyone please forgive me for my ignorance as i am still new to vintage cats ad am thus still learning.   I have recently become interested in getting a hold of an old d2 dozer and doing it up for shows ect.  Now heres my dilemma, d2 dozers are in short supply so my questions are as follows.
1 - is the only difference between the dozers and crawlers that the dozers were fitted with hydraulics from factory.

2 - can a crawler be fitted with these same hydraulics and a blade or are the undercarriages different and unable to support a blade

3 - if it is possible then is there a lot of work involved in getting it to look standard as the last thing I'd want is for it to look like a half hearted attempt. 

I ask these questions as i have recently come across a crawler that looks in decent condition, the owner claims it is from 1948 and furthermore it is the extended track version with 5 rollers.

All replies and advice welcome 
Many thanks
kenneth
 
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Tue, Sep 3, 2024 4:44 AM
CRS93082
Offline
Member
Send a private message to CRS93082
Posts: 54
Thank you received: 0
Until the early 1950s Cat didn't make their own attachments for the D2. Dealers sold customers a basic crawler tractor and would install aftermarket blades, hydraulics, etc. So yes you can buy a basic ag crawler and out fit it as you see fit and have it look correct. A couple pieces of advice. If I was doing that I would find a nice ag crawler and a junk dozer and swap the dozer parts over to the ag crawler. Dozers tended to live much rougher life than an ag tractor. Also remember that because or the weight balance and short undercarriage many people considered the D2 a less than ideal dozer tractor. Having run a D2 and a D4 I will tell you that for doing any real work the D4 is twice the machine. For playing at shows the D2 is fine. Also do some measuring and make sure the longer undercarriage will not cause issues with fitting a blade.
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Tue, Sep 3, 2024 8:02 AM
Kendog_M
Topic Author
Offline
Member
Send a private message to Kendog_M
Posts: 10
Thank you received: 0
Reply to CRS93082:
Until the early 1950s Cat didn't make their own attachments for the D2. Dealers sold customers a basic crawler tractor and would install aftermarket blades, hydraulics, etc. So yes you can buy a basic ag crawler and out fit it as you see fit and have it look correct. A couple pieces of advice. If I was doing that I would find a nice ag crawler and a junk dozer and swap the dozer parts over to the ag crawler. Dozers tended to live much rougher life than an ag tractor. Also remember that because or the weight balance and short undercarriage many people considered the D2 a less than ideal dozer tractor. Having run a D2 and a D4 I will tell you that for doing any real work the D4 is twice the machine. For playing at shows the D2 is fine. Also do some measuring and make sure the longer undercarriage will not cause issues with fitting a blade.
Thanks for that! thats actually very helpful i shall keep an eye out for a spare parts machine also
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Tue, Sep 3, 2024 12:05 PM
GrantJ
Offline
Member
Send a private message to GrantJ
Posts: 732
Thank you received: 4
Reply to Kendog_M:
Thanks for that! thats actually very helpful i shall keep an eye out for a spare parts machine also
You might want to check and see if it is a rigid suspension. Some 5 roller bottoms dont have a spring mount suspension. They have a solid bar. I have read that some people like the solid suspension on a dozer and some dont like it. I have no experience with it , but you might check to see.

What is the serial number of the machine? Also, when you buy a parts machine try to get the same gauge (width) or you will be doing a lot of cutting and welding on the blade to make it fit.
Just my 2 cents worth. Grant.
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Tue, Sep 3, 2024 8:42 PM
GrantJ
Offline
Member
Send a private message to GrantJ
Posts: 732
Thank you received: 4
Reply to GrantJ:
You might want to check and see if it is a rigid suspension. Some 5 roller bottoms dont have a spring mount suspension. They have a solid bar. I have read that some people like the solid suspension on a dozer and some dont like it. I have no experience with it , but you might check to see.

What is the serial number of the machine? Also, when you buy a parts machine try to get the same gauge (width) or you will be doing a lot of cutting and welding on the blade to make it fit.
Just my 2 cents worth. Grant.
Another thing that I just thought of is our club library. There must be over 100 articles and videos about D2s. One of our members has rebuilt just about every part on a D2 and video taped all of it. It is a tremendous amount of good information. Grant.
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Tue, Sep 3, 2024 8:58 PM
juiceman
Offline
Member
Chapter Leader
Chapter Fifteen
Send a private message to juiceman
Posts: 3,238
Thank you received: 42
Reply to GrantJ:
Another thing that I just thought of is our club library. There must be over 100 articles and videos about D2s. One of our members has rebuilt just about every part on a D2 and video taped all of it. It is a tremendous amount of good information. Grant.
Welcome to the club Kenneth!
Yes, D-2's are fun little guys to own and operate. IMHO, the easiest way to convert into a bulldozing unit, is to hunt down The CAT toolbar unit and bolt it up to your machine; the only thing I see is the push arm length may hinder operation with the 5 rollers (clearance issue); an "incorrect" fix is to swing the trunnion caps 180 degrees to give you a few inches.
Depends on how "correct" you wish to make your CAT; there are aftermarket blades such as Dakota, HOLT (Swede) that bolt on.
Question is how much dirt are you planning on pushing, or better yet, if you are trying to level out the woods or just want one for fun.
Share a picture of your machine if you may, please. We LIKE photos!
Feel free to ask away. JM
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Tue, Sep 3, 2024 9:58 PM
Kendog_M
Topic Author
Offline
Member
Send a private message to Kendog_M
Posts: 10
Thank you received: 0
Reply to juiceman:
Welcome to the club Kenneth!
Yes, D-2's are fun little guys to own and operate. IMHO, the easiest way to convert into a bulldozing unit, is to hunt down The CAT toolbar unit and bolt it up to your machine; the only thing I see is the push arm length may hinder operation with the 5 rollers (clearance issue); an "incorrect" fix is to swing the trunnion caps 180 degrees to give you a few inches.
Depends on how "correct" you wish to make your CAT; there are aftermarket blades such as Dakota, HOLT (Swede) that bolt on.
Question is how much dirt are you planning on pushing, or better yet, if you are trying to level out the woods or just want one for fun.
Share a picture of your machine if you may, please. We LIKE photos!
Feel free to ask away. JM
Cheers man i will keep those aftermarket blades in consideration and will send photos if i buy it,  tbh I'm buying it for a bit of fun and for shows, not like I'm going into major landscape works with it 
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Wed, Sep 4, 2024 3:16 AM
Kendog_M
Topic Author
Offline
Member
Send a private message to Kendog_M
Posts: 10
Thank you received: 0
Reply to GrantJ:
Another thing that I just thought of is our club library. There must be over 100 articles and videos about D2s. One of our members has rebuilt just about every part on a D2 and video taped all of it. It is a tremendous amount of good information. Grant.
I will keep this in mind as thats a very useful resource to have!
 
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Wed, Sep 4, 2024 3:17 AM
Kendog_M
Topic Author
Offline
Member
Send a private message to Kendog_M
Posts: 10
Thank you received: 0
Reply to GrantJ:
You might want to check and see if it is a rigid suspension. Some 5 roller bottoms dont have a spring mount suspension. They have a solid bar. I have read that some people like the solid suspension on a dozer and some dont like it. I have no experience with it , but you might check to see.

What is the serial number of the machine? Also, when you buy a parts machine try to get the same gauge (width) or you will be doing a lot of cutting and welding on the blade to make it fit.
Just my 2 cents worth. Grant.
Cheers grant i will keep the track guage in mind,  i think its solid suspension from the look of it, and I'm led to believe that the serial number is 5u1912
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Wed, Sep 4, 2024 3:19 AM
CRS93082
Offline
Member
Send a private message to CRS93082
Posts: 54
Thank you received: 0
Reply to juiceman:
Welcome to the club Kenneth!
Yes, D-2's are fun little guys to own and operate. IMHO, the easiest way to convert into a bulldozing unit, is to hunt down The CAT toolbar unit and bolt it up to your machine; the only thing I see is the push arm length may hinder operation with the 5 rollers (clearance issue); an "incorrect" fix is to swing the trunnion caps 180 degrees to give you a few inches.
Depends on how "correct" you wish to make your CAT; there are aftermarket blades such as Dakota, HOLT (Swede) that bolt on.
Question is how much dirt are you planning on pushing, or better yet, if you are trying to level out the woods or just want one for fun.
Share a picture of your machine if you may, please. We LIKE photos!
Feel free to ask away. JM
I agree with juiceman that a toolbar setup would be a good way to go. They are fairly common and have the added benefit of being able to add rear attachments if you want something a little different for shows. I would advise checking for clearance on the dozer blade mounts with a five roller undercarriage. I tried to mount mount a toolbar dozer on a five roller D4 7U and the blade mounts would not clear the tracks. If you want to use just the rear toolbar then you will be fine. Our D4 also had the solid bar and no springs. It was not a very pleasant plowing tractor either so you may want to factor that into what you are looking for.
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Wed, Sep 4, 2024 3:26 AM
Kendog_M
Topic Author
Offline
Member
Send a private message to Kendog_M
Posts: 10
Thank you received: 0
Reply to CRS93082:
I agree with juiceman that a toolbar setup would be a good way to go. They are fairly common and have the added benefit of being able to add rear attachments if you want something a little different for shows. I would advise checking for clearance on the dozer blade mounts with a five roller undercarriage. I tried to mount mount a toolbar dozer on a five roller D4 7U and the blade mounts would not clear the tracks. If you want to use just the rear toolbar then you will be fine. Our D4 also had the solid bar and no springs. It was not a very pleasant plowing tractor either so you may want to factor that into what you are looking for.
Thanks crs i will definitely keep that in mind,  if need be I'm sure i can modify or fabricate a blade frame to fit
Please log in or create an account to join the conversation.
Wed, Sep 4, 2024 3:35 AM
Showing 1 to 10 of 17 results
1
YouTube Video Placeholder

Follow Us on Social Media

Our channel highlights machines from the earliest Holt and Best track-type tractors, equipment from the start of Caterpillar in 1925, up to units built in the mid-1960s.

Upcoming Events

Lake Goldsmith Steam and Vintage Rally

Chapter Nineteen

| 1234 Carngham-Lake Goldsmith Rd, Lake Goldsmith, Victoria, 3373, Australia

Stradsett Park Vintage Rally

Chapter Two

| Stradsett, Nr Downham Market. Norfolk PE33 9HA UK

Chapter 2 The Link Club's AGM

Chapter Two

| Faulkner Farm, West Drove, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 7DP, UK

HAMILTON PASTURAL MUSEUM

Chapter Nineteen

| Cnr Hiller Lane and Ballarat Road, Hamilton, Vic, 3300
View Calendar
ACMOC

Antique Caterpillar
Machinery Owners Club

1115 Madison St NE # 1117
Salem, OR 97301

[email protected]

Terms & Privacy
Website developed by AdCo

Testimonials

"I also joined a year ago. had been on here a couple of times as a non-member and found the info very helpful so I got a one year subscription (not very expensive at all) to try it out. I really like all the resources on here so I just got a three year. I think its a very small price for what you can get out of this site."
-Jason N

Join Today!