Nige
Senior Member
Check the tractor over closely for any sticker or plate that indicates the SLEP programme was completed on it. If there is a plate it ought to indicate where and when.
-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
Cat D7F Feedback/Advise
- Thread starter ja_cain
- Start date
ja_cain
Well-Known Member
Would you happen to have an example of one of these tags I can share with the seller?
Nige
Senior Member
I am trying to get a photo of one but I can’t guarantee when it will be.
ja_cain
Well-Known Member
No worries Nige. It will be a couple of weeks before I have opportunity to go look at it. Take your time. Looking forward to seeing what the shipping quotes look like in the mean time.
OzDozer
Senior Member
Below are two useful links. The first link is a Cat military equipment ID and rebuild program brochure.
Page 14 of the brochure lists the work carried out to the D7F's under the SLEP program.
The second link is the military Technical Manual for the D7F (TM-5-2410-233-10).
On page 24 the TM outlines the engineering changes, and the ID process for a tractor that has gone through SLEP.
The major ID for tractors that have been through the SLEP program is that they have an "R" stamped after the tractor serial number.
I can't see an "R" after the serial number in the photo you put up, but it may be just outside the edge of the photo.
The tractor you're looking at should have had a winch fitted as standard equipment. It's obviously been removed.
The military D7F's came in two forms, either fitted with a blade and winch, or a blade and ripper.
www.scribd.com
Page 14 of the brochure lists the work carried out to the D7F's under the SLEP program.
The second link is the military Technical Manual for the D7F (TM-5-2410-233-10).
On page 24 the TM outlines the engineering changes, and the ID process for a tractor that has gone through SLEP.
The major ID for tractors that have been through the SLEP program is that they have an "R" stamped after the tractor serial number.
I can't see an "R" after the serial number in the photo you put up, but it may be just outside the edge of the photo.
The tractor you're looking at should have had a winch fitted as standard equipment. It's obviously been removed.
The military D7F's came in two forms, either fitted with a blade and winch, or a blade and ripper.
Cat Defense Product Line | PDF | Construction Equipment | Heavy Equipment
Cat Defense Product Line
Last edited:
.RC.
Senior Member
Interesting how the tilt ram is on the wrong side to the later commercial D7F/G and the hoses come out from the radiator rather then in the middle of the push arm and then across the track frame.
OzDozer
Senior Member
The early D6C's had the tilt ram hoses come out of the front of the radiator. It was an alright setup until you went clearing, and dropped a log or tree behind the blade crosswise - it usually mangled the tilt hoses.
Running the tilt hoses across the track frame and up the push arm was a far better arrangement.
Running the tilt hoses across the track frame and up the push arm was a far better arrangement.
1693TA
Senior Member
I wonder if that is why the tilt ram hoses on the front of my 11-B are guarded as they are?
Really cannot see it clearly in the photo but the hoses are normally affixed to a steel cable you can faintly see just to the left of the hoses.
Really cannot see it clearly in the photo but the hoses are normally affixed to a steel cable you can faintly see just to the left of the hoses.
1693TA
Senior Member
Yes it does. The left headlamp guard on my dozer is bent all up because of a tree and the engine kill cable is replaced for the same reason. Same reasoning behind the limb risers after a tree limb rolled on the prior owner taking the exhaust stack off. This was the basis for installing a muffler I'm told too.
Nige
Senior Member
Interesting that the SLEP programme appears to be similar to a Certified Rebuild on a commerical machine. Effectively the clock is wound back to zero hours and it comes with a new machine warranty. Also, and more important where this particular tractor is concerned - the tractor exits the SLEP programme with a new Serial Number.
I wonder what that takes the form of in the case of SLEP.?
On commercial machines a Certified Rebuild Serial Number always starts with "75". So for example a 4AR-prefix machine S/N 4ARxxxxx would have a S/N 4AR75xxx after a CR.
I wonder what that takes the form of in the case of SLEP.?
On commercial machines a Certified Rebuild Serial Number always starts with "75". So for example a 4AR-prefix machine S/N 4ARxxxxx would have a S/N 4AR75xxx after a CR.
LCA078
Senior Member
Here's my two cents after researching a lot about the military SLEP program and recently buying a D7F:
A lot (probably most) of the military D7Fs on the market have been through the SLEP program. There are a few that obviously did not go through but there are tell-tale signs to show if a dozer did not go through the program. The first and easiest is like Nige and Oz already said, look at the serial number and see if there is an "R" added to the end of the serial number. The R usually added with an engraver dimpler pen made of little punched dimples and is easy to see it's added by hand on the original data plates. Second is to see if the engine has been upgraded to the D7G engine (you can look in SIS to see when you engine was made by Cat). The 'new' 3306's have ether and oil sampling added that the original D7Fs didn't have. And no, you won't have an upgraded transmission. If it went through SLEP, it was probably completely rebuilt but not upgraded. As far as I know, only the newer non-military D7F's and all D7G's have the smaller bullet proof tranny. All military D7F's are the old, big tranny.
Other ways to see if your machine went through SLEP: Look at the paint job "inside" the machine. Yes, inside the engine cowlings, etc. It should be solid green and similar to the outside green. Original D7F's had multi-color camo paint jobs and SLEP machines were single green. Look for overspray, etc. as the tri-color (and desert tans) where usually only an quick-shoot exterior paint job. All hoses and wiring should look only 20-25 years old and not 50-55 years old (yes, very subjective but it's possible to tell). Either way, I'd be more concerned about overall condition then whether or not the machine went through SLEP.
A lot (probably most) of the military D7Fs on the market have been through the SLEP program. There are a few that obviously did not go through but there are tell-tale signs to show if a dozer did not go through the program. The first and easiest is like Nige and Oz already said, look at the serial number and see if there is an "R" added to the end of the serial number. The R usually added with an engraver dimpler pen made of little punched dimples and is easy to see it's added by hand on the original data plates. Second is to see if the engine has been upgraded to the D7G engine (you can look in SIS to see when you engine was made by Cat). The 'new' 3306's have ether and oil sampling added that the original D7Fs didn't have. And no, you won't have an upgraded transmission. If it went through SLEP, it was probably completely rebuilt but not upgraded. As far as I know, only the newer non-military D7F's and all D7G's have the smaller bullet proof tranny. All military D7F's are the old, big tranny.
Other ways to see if your machine went through SLEP: Look at the paint job "inside" the machine. Yes, inside the engine cowlings, etc. It should be solid green and similar to the outside green. Original D7F's had multi-color camo paint jobs and SLEP machines were single green. Look for overspray, etc. as the tri-color (and desert tans) where usually only an quick-shoot exterior paint job. All hoses and wiring should look only 20-25 years old and not 50-55 years old (yes, very subjective but it's possible to tell). Either way, I'd be more concerned about overall condition then whether or not the machine went through SLEP.
LCA078
Senior Member
Forgot to add that it looks like you have a new engine if I read engine 5R-8357 arrangement number on one of your first pics. That upgrade could have came from SLEP or from another owner. My engine had the little aluminum data plate with my serial number and it looks like the your data plate is a modern paper sticker. You should be able to look up in Cat SIS the serial number for the engine for actual date and build so make sure you get it when you go look at the machine.
Nige
Senior Member
Engine S/N 6NC16393 was built on the 14th August 1999. The 5R-8357 Engine Arrangement is listed as a 3306 "Replacement Engine Arrgt" for a 61G-prefix Military D7F. it is not listed for any other equipment model, D7F or otherwise That sounds to me very much like an engine installed as part of the SLEP programme.
Remember that the equivalent commercial D7F tractors of 94N S/N prefix did not get the 3306 engine as standard equipment until tractor 94N5660, which was AFTER the transmission type upgrade from 94N5192.
The key would be when you look at the tractor to check is whether it has oil sampling points on the engine and maybe also the transmission, plus ether start equipment.
Remember that the equivalent commercial D7F tractors of 94N S/N prefix did not get the 3306 engine as standard equipment until tractor 94N5660, which was AFTER the transmission type upgrade from 94N5192.
The key would be when you look at the tractor to check is whether it has oil sampling points on the engine and maybe also the transmission, plus ether start equipment.
ja_cain
Well-Known Member
Excellent info as always everyone and much appreciated! Would anybody happen to have pictures of these sample ports that I could share with the seller to look for. I really want to confirm it's been through the program before committing to yet another 5+ hour (one way) drive to look at a machine.
LCA078
Senior Member
If you have time to kill, look at www.govplanet.com. There are three D7Fs for auction next week and they appear to be actual military surplus as they listed on GovPlanet and are not listed as IronPlanet. From what I can tell, all three have been through SLEP but only 1 has the R suffix in its serial number. If you want to see what a non-SLEP dozer looks like, look in the sold lots (you have to register for a free www.govplanet.com account to look) and search for D7Fs. You'll see most of the sold units are SLEP units from the tell-tale signs of ether, engine oil sampling, single prong NATO jumper cable connector, etc. being added but not all have "R" in their serial. You'll find some non-SLEP units but you have to hunt/peck for them.
I like looking at govplanet as they have LOTS of high-res pics compared to most other auction sites. I will give Ritchie Bros credit (they own GovPlanet) as they do a pretty good job of showing you what you'll get into before you buy.
I like looking at govplanet as they have LOTS of high-res pics compared to most other auction sites. I will give Ritchie Bros credit (they own GovPlanet) as they do a pretty good job of showing you what you'll get into before you buy.
LCA078
Senior Member
Look in post #5 as Oz already put a pic there for you. Look at that pic and then study the dozers on GovPlanet to see what it will look like in person. If I get near my machine this weekend, I'll snap a couple pics for you....
LCA078
Senior Member
I just quickly jumped over and found a non-SLEP dozer.
https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Dozers-Cat-D7F-Crawler-Dozer-Texas/10545982?h=5000,sm|1,k|d7f,**|1&rr=0.125&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
No oil sampling, no ether, and old style two-pin battery jumper connector.
Also attached are similar pics of what I think is a SLEP machine without the R in the serial number from one of the three currently listed.
https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Dozers-1971-Cat-D7F-Crawler-Dozer-Wisconsin/10675810?h=5000,sm|0,k|d7f,**|1&rr=1&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
you can see the oil sampling (at the top of pic you can just see the bottom of the shield of the ether starting aid). the other pic you can see the single-pin modern jumper connector.
Hope the pics help you and others down the road as I know the links will fade soon....
https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Dozers-Cat-D7F-Crawler-Dozer-Texas/10545982?h=5000,sm|1,k|d7f,**|1&rr=0.125&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
No oil sampling, no ether, and old style two-pin battery jumper connector.
Also attached are similar pics of what I think is a SLEP machine without the R in the serial number from one of the three currently listed.
https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Dozers-1971-Cat-D7F-Crawler-Dozer-Wisconsin/10675810?h=5000,sm|0,k|d7f,**|1&rr=1&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
you can see the oil sampling (at the top of pic you can just see the bottom of the shield of the ether starting aid). the other pic you can see the single-pin modern jumper connector.
Hope the pics help you and others down the road as I know the links will fade soon....
Attachments
Last edited:
Nige
Senior Member
This illustration may be useful.
I have a D6H serial 1KD 04383 with that very arrangement on the tilt hoses. I have never seen another D6H with that arrangement.