Old Magnet Comments On Cat D5B

Good unit as far as I know. Do hear some rumblings about fail safe parking brake malfunctions.
3306 direct fuel injection and 105 hp. I've got one source that says it's a 1983 model and another that says 1984.
Looks pretty clean from the one picture.

What is the fail safe parking brake? Also from the picture I would not tell much about the undercarriage condition looks like it doesn't have much adjustment left. Owner says it has 3000 hrs on the hour meter I doubt that the hours are correct? Comes with the straight blade and angle blade they are asking $25,500.

If I am not mistaken the 5 has the same track chain as a 4 which would stretch earlier than other models. With regards to value check the Machinery Trader web site. There is currently 38 shown under auction results which will give you a range of prices. There is also about 30 listing of dealer tractors for sale.

Not so!!! D4 is 6.75" pitch track, D5B is 6.91" pitch.
Some units have gone to an emergency/fail-safe & parking brake that uses a spring applied fail safe brake piston which is held off by hydraulic system hold off pressure. Locks up the brakes if there is a system failure.
The parking brake can also be manually set.
Can be an issue when towing.
Seems the system can be temperamental.

i used to run one just like that. it had a powershift and was a gutless wonder. the older model J model was a more productive machine by far. i don't remember a failsafe brake on mine. the narrow gauge D5B was better because of the 8 foot blade.

Old Magnet, I stand corrected on pitch

Looks like the fail-safe brake came in at s/n 25X02073.
For sure it's not going to be as snappy as a later 3306T 140hp in the D6's
The 94J, 95J, 96J earlier models got up to 105 hp N/A same as the D5B's.

Old Magnet when I get a chance to look at this machine what are the dimensions for track ware? What problem areas should I be looking at? How can I be sure the Power Shift Transmission is ok?

That unit should have sealed and lubricated track link #3P7153/4.

Sealed and lubricated track pitch is not normally measured due to the absence of conventional internal wear. Individual joints should be inspected for lubricant loss by hand feeling for warm bushings. Individual dry joints can be measured to determine pitch extension due to internal wear. Section length should not exceed 7.50"
Rail height is 4.06" new, 3.69" @ 100% worn.

Other than running pressure checks on the power shift transmission the only way to check it out is to run it though its paces.