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Reference Section: 1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler

In 2010 my Grandfather fell ill and had to move into an assisted-living facility. We were left to clean up his old 3-acre farm that was just jam-packed with all kinds of junk...there were also dozens and dozens of old plows and implements, 17 old cars & trucks, several old tractors and Caterpillar crawlers, and tons and tons of garbage as well as scrap metal. I took charge of the cleanup and sales of vehicles and equipment, which took almost a year; I also had to make 1100-mile roundtrips twice a month during this period with my truck & trailer in order to get all of this accomplished. It was incredibly difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, but we got it done and the property sold to cash buyers during Christmas 2011.

This is my Grandfather's old 1938 Caterpillar D2-5T. It does have rear hydraulics, for operating towed/pulled agricultural implements. The engine is a Caterpillar diesel, but is started by a "pony motor." The pony motor then engages the main diesel motor via a clutch lever, sort of like a primitive starter. The glass jar is placed inverted over the exhaust stack in order to keep rain water out of the diesel engine cylinders.

FEBRUARY 2011: The D2 was sold to a retired gentleman who owned his family's old orchard near the coast, and had a fleet of old classic Caterpillar D2s he used to tend to his property, and tinker with to enjoy his retirement. I'm happy that he bought this little D2, I knew it went to a good home. It had issues with the steering clutches that needed fixing, and the new owner was more than qualified and able to take care of this (and other) issue. Other than the steering clutches, it was in remarkable condition, considering its age. I have no idea where my Grandfather purchased it, but it was sitting on his property for several years.

The D2 loaded onto the new owner's trailer, ready for the journey to its new home
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
View of the right side of engine
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
View of operators controls.  The round disc is the pull starter for the pony motor
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
Another view of the operators controls
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler

Right rear view of D2.  The tracks are in amazing condition for its age
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
Right front view of the D2
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
Left front view, shortly before being loaded onto new owners trailer
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
Left side view
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler

Left side of engine, pony motor can be seen in right side of photo
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
Left drive sprocket
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
Rear of D2, showing hydraulic connections for pull-behind implements
1938 Caterpillar D2-5T Crawler
 

       
       

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