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D8K or D9N need advice!

nicky 68a

nicky 68a

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
1,164
Location
england
In theory,you have $65k of ripping work currently on your books and a D9N that may stand you at $80k when you’ve tinkered with it.
You’ve then got the potential to take more work on with the tractor or sell it.
Either way,I can see your idea working unless the thing breaks down in dramatic fashion.Even then,a D9N is worth fixing,a D8K probably isn’t.
As long as you’re comfortable in having the money to carry you through the ripping project and subsequent contract work afterwards,your idea on buying the D9N that’s allready on the island,and fixing it up,seems a good one.
I wish you well with the project.
 
B

bcole4

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 6, 2020
Messages
122
Location
Hilo, HI
Well the d9n ended up not being for sale…. Smh. Bought the D8k and just had it hauled to my site today. Serial number starts 77v. Anyone have an idea on year of production? So far so good, need to replace some of the hydraulic cylinder seals on the ripper and some loose pins on the blade. At least I have my 320b on the same job right now.

If anyone has any things to watch out for or be careful of with this machine let me know
 
Metalman 55

Metalman 55

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
1,301
Location
Ontario
When I was a young in the 70's I ran a 8K 77V & I believe that one was a model year 1975. Is yours a straight tilt blade?
 
C

Check Break

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
469
Location
USA
bcole4 said:
Bought the D8k and just had it hauled to my site today. If anyone has any things to watch out for or be careful of with this machine let me know
Click to expand...
Don't get it hot. It's easy to crack a head. If you're working on a slope, overfill the transmission with 7 gallons to avoid a wild ride backwards. Blade brace pins and cotter pins can be purchased aftermarket. Pull your transmission screens and clean them. Change your filters, with emphasis on inner air filter, transmission filters, fuel filters (clean fuel filter screen) and final drive filters. They don't tend to get much love. Pull the fill plugs on the finals and stand back. If they don't shower you with oil, your duocone seals are intact. Changing the final drive fluid is cheap insurance. Prime the final drive pumps before using if you change the fluid so you don't damage the finals. Pull the floor and grease the u-joint. If it's damaged, replace it now before it gets any worse. Get an owner and service manual which explains all. Clean the radiator and belly pans when you get a chance. Eventually you should determine if your cross tube has been updated. The original hose design was changed because it would brake and spray burning oil on the operator. CAT will do the upgrade for free if you remove the cross tube and take it to them. I don't remember if they will do the R&R or not. These are some of the things that get overlooked in a normal service. If I think of others, I'll update.
 
nicky 68a

nicky 68a

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
1,164
Location
england
As Check Break says,overfill the tranny by the bucket full.
A D8K will go forever if………
1. Keep a clean radiator with roaring fan belts.
2. A good tranny pump with a good suction line.
3. Too much oil in the tranny is good gig.
4. Don’t start it up and expect it to just go to work.Let it idle and have a cup of tea or a smoke before you think of pulling the throttle back or engaging the tranny.
5. Don’t switch it off for at least 10 minuits (ever).
6. Repeat the above.
D8K’s are a great tractor if you give them abit of love and care.They are simple and highly effective beasts.
I love them.
 
T

tctractors

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
2,412
Location
Worc U.K.
The K needs fuel twice a day as they love a drink, if you run the engine out of fuel with a hot motor expect a head to crack as they need a steady no load run down after working hard for you, its a good thing to fuel fill them with the engine running a bit above low idle after work to reduce the engine temp' before shut down, this should take 10 mins or more but cheat on this point at your risk. tctractors
 
B

bcole4

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 6, 2020
Messages
122
Location
Hilo, HI
Check Break said:
Don't get it hot. It's easy to crack a head. If you're working on a slope, overfill the transmission with 7 gallons to avoid a wild ride backwards. Blade brace pins and cotter pins can be purchased aftermarket. Pull your transmission screens and clean them. Change your filters, with emphasis on inner air filter, transmission filters, fuel filters (clean fuel filter screen) and final drive filters. They don't tend to get much love. Pull the fill plugs on the finals and stand back. If they don't shower you with oil, your duocone seals are intact. Changing the final drive fluid is cheap insurance. Prime the final drive pumps before using if you change the fluid so you don't damage the finals. Pull the floor and grease the u-joint. If it's damaged, replace it now before it gets any worse. Get an owner and service manual which explains all. Clean the radiator and belly pans when you get a chance. Eventually you should determine if your cross tube has been updated. The original hose design was changed because it would brake and spray burning oil on the operator. CAT will do the upgrade for free if you remove the cross tube and take it to them. I don't remember if they will do the R&R or not. These are some of the things that get overlooked in a normal service. If I think of others, I'll update.
Click to expand...

thanks I really appreciate the advice!
 
B

bcole4

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 6, 2020
Messages
122
Location
Hilo, HI
nicky 68a said:
As Check Break says,overfill the tranny by the bucket full.
A D8K will go forever if………
1. Keep a clean radiator with roaring fan belts.
2. A good tranny pump with a good suction line.
3. Too much oil in the tranny is good gig.
4. Don’t start it up and expect it to just go to work.Let it idle and have a cup of tea or a smoke before you think of pulling the throttle back or engaging the tranny.
5. Don’t switch it off for at least 10 minuits (ever).
6. Repeat the above.
D8K’s are a great tractor if you give them abit of love and care.They are simple and highly effective beasts.
I love them.
Click to expand...

thanks I really appreciate it! All these tips I’m sure will help keep this thing alive for a while longer.
 
B

bcole4

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 6, 2020
Messages
122
Location
Hilo, HI
Soooo machine is running good so far still need to replace the pins and some hydraulic seals.

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this though…. First job I’m on and the machine fell in a lava tube… floor of the cab was level with the ground outside, machine was held up by the blade and ripper,luckily I landed straight in on a pile of material cause in either side of the machine it just went down to darkness, some big boulders luckily lodged themself under the front side and was able to climb out, after changing my pants of course….
 

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John C.

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,870
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
I can think of some choice words for the land owner if you weren't warned of that possibility before accepting the job. Coal mining regions have that exact same issue and I know of two times where only the size of the machine saved the cost of a funeral.
 
John Shipp

John Shipp

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
643
Location
England
Occupation
forestry contracting
bcole4 said:
Soooo machine is running good so far still need to replace the pins and some hydraulic seals.

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this though…. First job I’m on and the machine fell in a lava tube… floor of the cab was level with the ground outside, machine was held up by the blade and ripper,luckily I landed straight in on a pile of material cause in either side of the machine it just went down to darkness, some big boulders luckily lodged themself under the front side and was able to climb out, after changing my pants of course….
Click to expand...

Is it on to "plan B"?

What method do you use when you come across one of them lava tubes?
 
B

bcole4

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 6, 2020
Messages
122
Location
Hilo, HI
John Shipp said:
Is it on to "plan B"?

What method do you use when you come across one of them lava tubes?
Click to expand...
I’ll probably end up opening it some more with my excavator and then moving most of the greenwaste into the hole and making their house pad on the back section of the property. I told them to think about what they want to do though and let me know because I will have to adjust price with all the extra work of moving greenwaste again and the hazard now
 
John Shipp

John Shipp

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
643
Location
England
Occupation
forestry contracting
Reminds me of the rural myths that we used to hear in my childhood about people disappearing down old unmarked well shafts that had been filled in at some time and then settled with cavities just waiting for a dog or some kid to vanish into years later. They didn't have 30 ton excavator to stuff it further down back in the day, but how far down do lava tubes go and can you fill them without settlement issues later? Cheers.
 
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