New D8 Series F

Some military dozers had their own serial number series. Someone will probably be able to cross it over to the civilian series for you.

If the books are right for it, and it looks like they may be to me, you have the equivalent of a 14A D8 with a D13000 engine and manual transmission with oil clutch. I believe the 15A which was produced at the same time was a torque converter tractor but still with a manual transmission (and clutch???). The early torque converters used the diesel fuel as the coupling fluid instead of transmission oil like is commonly done today. Maybe a good thing you didn't get a 15A!

There should be a steering clutch hydraulic booster that may be out of oil. Probably under the seat or fuel tank.

Someone that knows all this stuff will be along soon.

I take it you paid little enough that you aren't complaining about the bad description in the auction. Probably nothing you can do anyway.

The military 9A1503 s/n is equivalent to a 14A3861-up (1954-up) and has a D342 engine. I see it has the back-up rippers on the blade, typical of military spec.

The military 9A1503 s/n is equivalent to a 14A3861-up (1954-up) and has a D342 engine. I see it has the back-up rippers on the blade, typical of military spec.

Thanks for the replies, Im so thankful for forums like this and the availability of information here.
It was a military machine transferred to the USDA meat research facility in Clay Center Ne back in Dec 1970. I took a look at the auction page just now and see that the description said it was acquired in 1970 for a price of $25389. They never said D8H, I thought they did but I started searching 1970 D8 for info and must have thought the description mentioned it( I remember my dad saying something about ASSuming things I buy mil surplus and know that they always show the acquisition prices on the paper work so that was probably the price in 1960 or whenever it was made. I paid 5900 for the machine and am very happy with it especially since it seems to have been maintained so well. I will be going to pick it up with my M920 6x6 and m870a1 trailer.[attachment=18487]DSC03372.jpg[/attachment]

Here is a whole new can of worms...In your 4th picture , looking at the bottom of the blade there appear to be 2 small "rippers" facing back.
I have seen sockets on blades and wondered what they were for.
Is this proper and if so the folks who don't work a blade in reverse will be concerned...me I have all I can do to operate forward
Regards Chris

[quote="snowshoveler"]Here is a whole new can of worms...In your 4th picture , looking at the bottom of the blade there appear to be 2 small "rippers" facing back.
I have seen sockets on blades and wondered what they were for.
Is this proper and if so the folks who don't work a blade in reverse will be concerned...me I have all I can do to operate forward
Regards Chris[/quote]

Mr Old Magnet said they are "back up rippers" typical of military machines. I didnt give a close look today but I think they can be retracted or extended for different applications.

[quote="snowshoveler"]Here is a whole new can of worms...In your 4th picture , looking at the bottom of the blade there appear to be 2 small "rippers" facing back.
I have seen sockets on blades and wondered what they were for.
Is this proper and if so the folks who don't work a blade in reverse will be concerned...me I have all I can do to operate forward
Regards Chris[/quote]

Mr Old Magnet said they are "back up rippers" typical of military machines. I didnt give a close look today but I think they can be retracted or extended for different applications.

Thanks for the info...any more pics of the awesome truck you are using with the trailer.
Chris

It is a 6x8(pusher axle) M920, 400hp Cummins Big Cam 1, Cat 7155 air shift semi automatic 16 speed transmission. I put Hemmt wheels/tires 16.00x20 (52 inches tall 16 inches wide) on and can cruise at 65mph. There is a 45000 lb winch behind the cab for pulling the trailer up and into the fifth wheel(which is fully oscillating and takes a trailer with a 3.5 inch king pin).
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