I'm buying the D69U

Well I decided to pull the trigger on this machine. We got it started a few days ago and it just purrs. It has a Garrett turbo somebody added years back, which made me a little nervous, but it sound excellent and burns no oil. Issues I will have to sort out are:

1. The right side brake is locked up. Nearby D6 experts have told me this happens when they sit for a while, and this one has been sitting for probably 5 years. Plan to access the brake and hit with the proper spray stuff, let it sit and then hit with a little heat and hammer.

2. The main clutch does not stay engaged- does not "Cam over". Any body know if this a linkage problem that is accessible, or is a real fix going to require major disassembly?

3. I need a fan belt. Hoping I can install one of those segmented ones that can be customized for length and installed without removing too much stuff. I put one of those on my D2 and it worked great.

4. I am going to need a cage- this one is an Ag Cat that had its cab removed at some point, and the correct D6 Dozer assembly installed with a 9' blade. One of the big jobs I will have for it is knocking down trees, so I will really need some protection. Hoping to find one on an otherwise dead machine in the area (NE Washington State)

   I will send pics when I get her home!

Congrats on the machine purchase. I picked up a 9U last year, they are a fun machine to operate.

Hope you enjoy the 9U. I always like using mine, easy to operate and ride well. Did you figure out a starting motor? I picked a couple parts tractors that have stuck main engines but the pony engines are complete on them and may have parts. No extra direct electric starter in the parts. Is your bell housing drilled for starter? Mine are all farm tractors so no help with the cage. Good luck, Mike

Don't spray any lube type stuff on the brake. Most likely brake lining is rusted to drum. Just loosen the brake adjustment. Pry, tape, wiggle, until it is lose. Oil soaked braking lining will never work right. The only one I had rust up that way, I wanted the steering clutch out anyway so removed the fuel tank. Had lots of room that way.

Which clutch do you have wet, or dry? But ether way try adjusting by the Serviceman's Reference Book. In the library here if you join. Or look on e-bay, or last I knew Cat would sell you one.

If it worked on your other Cat , should work on this one. But if it is a Cat hardnose with Cat hydraulics the U joint comes out easy. Flat plates with 6 or 8, 3/8 bolts on each side. It is a finger pinching pain to get over fan blades. But it does fit.

Look for a Medford cage. They have a steel plate around behind the fuel tank attached to the rear posts. Still not an OSHA approved roll cage. But logging industry as good as it was back in the day thing.

I have built 3 lite duty cages. Protecting my head in unpruned walnut orchards. Heavy wall 2 inch square tubing, bolted to the heavy steel fenders. Gusset the top corners, weld 1/8 or heavier steel over the top. I used other junk that came with other D6 I had. All vibrated and rattled without the corners up top being gusseted. I thing the top being solid and not just plywood helped too. If you don't have a hardnose don't attach limb lifter to the light brackets on the radiator. Use more square tubing to the frame. But I have a top tank I could sell you if you don't.

Hey Mike, amazed to hear you may have pony motors laying around. The current owner's starting band-aid is: removed ruined pistons, rods, and valves from current pony, then mounted a chain sprocket on the crankshaft, set a 22HP V twin from Harbor Freight on the fender plate and turns the diesel (via the pony crank) with that. It does work as a temporary fix. If I can replace or rebuild the pony system semi-easily I will do that; if not I will have to figure out the direct electric deal. Dry clutch on this one, so that will be kind of difficult. Where are you located? PM me with details of your pony motors if you like...

Greg

I am located south of Spokane near Colfax. I will look over the tractors and pony motors and see what I can learn for you.