1967 Cat D5 - is this a D6B undercarriage with a D4 operator station??

[D5Dan]

Hi Guys,

So after years of reading the battles on HEF (and seeing the photos!) I’m “lucky” enough to now own (what I believe) is a 1967 Cat D5 Powershift, serial number 84H493. I was able to clean the various ID plates, except the rear (frame) plates which are gone (but stampings are there); and each ID matches (so I believe this to be a non-Frankenstein machine!!). Any info you guys might have on this serial number would be great.

Of course this machine was ordered by a little old lady in Pasadena CA and only dozed on nice Sundays, in the summer, with low humidity, using high-test diesel!?!?! Ok, the story is not that good, BUT it was supposedly ordered by a man in Maine who operated an excavation company, and this was HIS machine (which story has it) only he himself would operate clean/maintain and garage in a dedicated location. Not to say he didn’t use it, I final got all the spray paint/crap off the service meter and it shows 10,350. All that sounds great, except I think/know this machine has done very little over the past 10-15+ years, and certainly that cleaning/maintaining as described early in life, did NOT happen over the past decade+…

While I’m still piecing together the “real” chapters missing in this 50+ year old story and I’m uncovering all kinds of minor (maybe major?) things, which of course I have a ton of questions (and pics) I’ll start other threads on…

I need to better understand the D5’s/D5B’s. This article in Contractor is a great write up on the D5 (and how about those pics in the muck!!) (https://contractormag.co.nz/classic-machines/caterpillar/d5-tractor/)

So did Cat use the undercarriage of a D6B and the operator station of a D4, with a non turbo D333…seems like an interesting combo…did any other D4 stuff cross over into the D5 line? I assume once the D6C came into existence not much more was shared (at least undercarriage-wise)? I now understand/believe a D5 shares a bunch of undercarriage parts with a 955 (not sure which year(s)).

I should add, my “deal” came with both the original D5 service manual and the parts manual (both awesome reads!!). The machine is also fitted with an enclosed cab (made by Industrial Cab Co. out of MA) and a foot operated hydraulic tilt on a 9.5’ blade, and the factory installed electric start (as desc in D5 article). Was told the machine weights about 26k lbs; with the tractor (w/ cab) weighting about 20k lbs, and the blade being about 6k lbs (seem close?).

Next up is to drop the belly pans to get the decades of crap out…especially since I can see “it’s” halfway up on the oil pan…sticks/crap...all I see is a likely belly pan fire down there…

Just want to thank this group for sharing over the years, it’s been great to tag along to better understand the problems/fixes (even if different brands)…and hopefully my old machine can add to the history/education!!

 

[D5Dan]

Here’s a pic of the machine...will try to add more later

 

[D5Dan]

Hoping these post correctly...sorry if they come thru sideways?? But think I fixed them...

 

[Bluox]

Measure the track pitch on your tractor, originally came with 6.91 pitch.
some 955 951used the same pitch others used D-6 track pitch.
after all these years who knows so check pitch.
Bob

 

[DoyleX]

That tractor shares quite a bit of parts from the D6C

 

[D5Dan]

Thanks Bluox, once I put the batteries back in and pull track tight I’ll measure it. The machine does have SALT links, I’m seeing 39 (including master link). Grousers are 18” and 74” between track centerlines.

I found where the mouse-chewed air cleaner went too!?! Also found some crusty/rusty tools that haven’t seen light of day in awhile...

looking at a D6C I could see where a bunch of stuff would cross over...I keep hearing “if you want parts, buy an old dozer that has what you need/want, then junk(park in woods) the rest”. So for a winch, or some protective plates (like the one that goes behind the gas tank), ripper(doubtful for me)...but seeing prices on winches alone...I can see “some” logic to the recommendation of buying the whole (Old/junked) dozer (aside from the pile of cash required!?!)
OR
I think it’s the heavy iron “disease” starting to deep root

I’ll post more later...after some bolt breaking/grinding/cursing the rock guards are off both tracks...and as I suspected both recoil springs are cracked/broken. But the upside, this machine uses grease fitting adjusters (vs screw type).

 

[D5Dan]

Having trouble verifying my machine serial number 84H493... I’ve tried 084H0493, 0084H493, 84H00493...SIS/SIS 2.0 is having none of it!?! just curious if my ole grandma is a 1967??

Any other build info would be great too, like if built in USA? Engine (I believe) is the D333 with 4.5 bore. Thanks!

 

[Nige]

The machine is too old to be in SIS. You’ll have to depend on paper parts books and manuals.

It might pay you to join ACMOC and look for Manuals on their forum.

 

[John C.]

I have one of those paper manuals. Your machine is a straight D5 built in 1967.

I also have a track book. The pitch on yours is unique at 6.91 inches. A D6 will be 6.75 or 8 inches so according to my book, the tracks are not compatible per se. Your machine also did not come with SALT tracks so look at the links carefully and there should be a part number stamped into them close to where the pad bolts on. An 8 inch track would not work but a 6.75 inch might have been tried with the idea it might wear in. My book also shows the standard undercarriage for the D5 has the same rollers and idlers as the D6 but there is also an extended life section with different components and wear measurements.

 

[D5Dan]

Nige I’ll look into the ACMOC group, pretty confident I’ll learn/find a bunch of stuff there.

John thanks a ton for the offer on the manuals...luckily I got a binder full of service/parts manuals...but I assume there are plenty of pages/books I dont have, like the track book you mention!!

So I tried to clean off the stamping on a couple links...I believe I’m seeing: “SEALED 3P7153 CAT”. I included some pics (sorry not great). Also looks like my track separates by unbolting the two alligator sections.

 

[D5Dan]

 

[Bluox]

Those are salt tracks 6.91 pitch the link on the other side on that track will be a 3P7154.
Could you post pictures of sprockets and idlers?
Bob

 

[D5Dan]

Here is the right-side sprocket and idler

 

[D5Dan]

Here is the left-side...and you’re right about the link number

 

[Bluox]

Woof that is some cobbled up under carriage and you have a leaking final seal.
Bob

 

[D5Dan]

Went back and tried to get a readable number off a sprocket segment...couldn’t get a good read...here’s the best pics I could get

Not sure where they stamp the front idler??