Playing with the Caterpillar D8

[Marcel P]

We restored this Cat D8-2U 3 years ago but never actually did some 'real' work with it. So today was the chance, and I enjoyed every minute! She performed very well, only a minor problem with the fuel line that I have to sort out, I guess it is some sort of vapor lock. The only thing that misses is an electric start for the pony which can be hard to start by cranking.

Marcel

[Peter]

Man that is a big dozer. I know. I wish I had one for just 24 hrs.

[Ray Forrer]

Would bet more on a suction leak than vapor lock. If you have any kind of leakage in the lines from the tank to the injector pump, they can be very tempramental! That's what I learned very early in my 30 years at Cat Aurora!
Ray Forrer

[Marc P]

If you would let me play with that thing, it would only take enough time for the police to show up, which shouldn't take long, but I would like to build a basement. I would first remove the house (anybodys house that is in the way) and then dig the new hole. And that beast is big enough to work fast.

[JohnCarter]

And they make a great tool for installing fence posts - just stand the post in place vertically and press down with the bottom of the blade. I have a friend who set posts for about 5 acres in one day using a big Cat.

[Terry Welch]

Here is my son running a D-8 last year at a ACMOC play day. His comments were we need to get one of these. The owner also has a pan for it also.
Terry

[Terry Welch]

Here is a D-8 I ran at a play day. Big machine but moves a lot of dirt. I was told by a operator of many years that with these machines you have to be know what you are going to next about 50 to 100 feet out as that are slow to respond not like the new machines that have joy stick controls.
Terry

[Marcel P]

Ray, you could be right but there is no fuel leak in the line. I will probably change the whole line.

Thanks for the pictures, keep them coming! I would not say that the old D8's are slow to respond, this one has the oil clutch which makes it actually very easy to drive. I guess it will take much more hours of dozing to get the blade nice and shiny!

Here is a picture before restoration, next to the bigger brother, a D9 19A.

Marcel

[Larry R. Evans]

Marcel, suggest you check the shutoff valve beneath the fuel tank for proper opening. May need only a quarter of a turn or all the way out, depending on the valve used. May also have a build up of crud around the feed line blocking the fuel flow. This is above the shut off valve inside the tank. Cheers, Larry.

[Nik O.]

Surely u have seen movie, earthworm tractor co? Be blessed, nik rd4 4g 1936