What do we consider Antique - D4H ? : )

I thought that years ago it was stated that 1960 and older would be considered an antique??

It would be a moving target though I'd think Dan, because in 2060, 1960 will be 100 years ago. I thought it was more about how old something was rather than a set date?

Hi, Folks.

I seem to remember that the criteria was not set at a date but rather at the 'moving' target of 40 years old.

Just my 0.02.

Received an operator's and maintenance manual in the mail and was interested to see that the main transmission is a regular countershaft transmission with six speeds and a "regular" gear lever / shifter, but the direction control is a lever where the powershift control sits, but only has three positions - forward, neutral, and reverse. I'm waiting on the parts catalog to see how that arrangement is set up.

Has anyone operated one of these units and what did you like / dislike about it regardless of transmission type.

Hi, Neil.

I did get to operate a powershift D4D briefly and that had the pretty much standard 3 speeds F/R with neutral right across the front of the shift pattern - never a D4H.

Atta guess and based on what you have divulged about the manual's description, it seems to me that the powershift system in that machine only applies to forward/reverse and that you need to be in neutral there to be able to change the 6-speed transmission.

Does the 'bible' mention anything about a torque converter? If not, then the F/N/R might simply be a directional clutch system.

Just my 0.02.

Yes, as far as I can tell, it's just a regular clutch but I don't know (yet) how the f-n-r is accomplished. It's either going to be a unit behind the clutch, or an assembly in the main transmission. Since it's a separate lever, probably a unit behind the clutch but we'll see once the parts catalog arrives

Hi, Neil.

If itza f/r clutch system, it likely wouldn't need any master clutch> Fiat had something similar on some of their earlier 'alleged' 'powershift' machines which were really justa hydraulically controlled direct drive F/N/R clutch system - CLUNK in/CLUNK out with ZERO feel.

https://www.tractordata.com/industrial-tractors/000/5/9/595-caterpillar-d4h-transmission.html

https://www.scribd.com/document/466450708/cat-D4H-pdf

https://machine.market/specification-847

Look at the description for the direct drive transmission model under "transmission" down to wards the bottom of the spec sheet = might help to explain the F/N/R lever.

Hope it helps.

Just their 0.02.

Hydraulically-actuated master clutch (foot pedal), and a reverser incorporated into the main transmission (regular countershaft transmission where the reverse/forward is accomplished using the output countershaft (third) also incorporating the bevel pinion but operated by a separate lever (not the main speed lever in front of the seat) where the powershift speed/direction control would be located. Narrow gauge 2AC, wide gauge 3AC and 4NK, and powershift 8PB. Skidder I believe is 9PB