The rescue of the lost TD24

Seen some posts and film on this on Facebook. Guess they got it up and running again in no time flat.

There is a go fund me page for donations for those so inclined. As of now they have donations of $255 and looking for $15,000.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/revive-the-td24

In my opinion, they skipped over the best part. How did they ever get the cables made up to the dozer? Who went swimming?

Secondly, what is the story to how it got there in the first place?

As Deas says, Curious mind want to know?

JanM

In my opinion, they skipped over the best part. How did they ever get the cables made up to the dozer? Who went swimming?

Secondly, what is the story to how it got there in the first place?

As Deas says, Curious mind want to know?

JanM

[quote="janmeermans"]In my opinion, they skipped over the best part. How did they ever get the cables made up to the dozer? Who went swimming?

Secondly, what is the story to how it got there in the first place?

As Deas says, Curious mind want to know?

JanM[/quote]
They used divers, It’s all in the comments & replies, it all took place over a number of yrs & attempts, even used dynamite 🧨

In my opinion, they skipped over the best part. How did they ever get the cables made up to the dozer? Who went swimming?

Secondly, what is the story to how it got there in the first place?

As Deas says, Curious mind want to know?

JanM

[quote="janmeermans"]In my opinion, they skipped over the best part. How did they ever get the cables made up to the dozer? Who went swimming?

Secondly, what is the story to how it got there in the first place?

As Deas says, Curious mind want to know?

JanM[/quote]

The story I found from the owners is that this is one of two military surplus TD24s that were donated to a diesel program at a community college in norther Minnesota in 1975. The school allowed the local snowmobile club to borrow one of the dozers to clear a new snowmobile path through the woods. One of the property owners told the snowmobile club which route they should avoid because of a swamp. Of course they didn't listen and ran it straight into the swamp. So it sat there half sunk for a while, then the National Guard figured it would be a good training exercise to pull it out. The local paper ran a cartoon poking fun at the national guard for using this as an excuse to get together and drink beer. They didn't like that, so they just set charges around the dozer to sink it to the bottom of the swamp, and that was the end.

Caught my breath when they started using the bucket on the excavator to “ fish” around under the water and kept “ snagging” it. Wasn’t surprised in the least to see all the damage to the bonnet, exhaust etc when it finally came to the surface. Would be interested to see it running again, that would be neat.