Cat D7F Feedback/Advise

[Hoghart]

Most of the larger ripper shanks have a loop of round bar or something welded on the top so a chain or clevis can be used to hold it vertical.

I did see a loop on the “top” of the shanks. I guess that’s my best chance.

 

[Nige]

Hook a sling to the upturned ripper shanks and lift them out of the ripper carriage one by one.
Dig a tranch the width of the tractor and about 3-4ft deep then place the ripper shanks into it.
Reverse the tractor so that the ripper carriage is over the trench, then lower a sling through each ripper pocket in turn. Attach the sling to a ripper shank (take care to ensure the shackle will pass through the hole in the ripper carriagre pocket) and raise it into position in the pocket of the ripper frame. Install pin.

Repeat the procedure for the other two ripper shanks. Although TBH I would only put a single shank in the centre pocket to start with an see how you go with it. Then maybe 2 shanks, one on each side, before you consider insalling all three ripper shanks. Just because there are three pockets in the ripper carriage does not mean you have to put three shanks in it.

 

[Hoghart]

Hook a sling to the upturned ripper shanks and lift them out of the ripper carriage one by one.
Dig a tranch the width of the tractor and about 3-4ft deep then place the ripper shanks into it.
Reverse the tractor so that the ripper carriage is over the trench, then lower a sling through each ripper pocket in turn. Attach the sling to a ripper shank (take care to ensure the shackle will pass through the hole in the ripper carriagre pocket) and raise it into position in the pocket of the ripper frame. Install pin.

Repeat the procedure for the other two ripper shanks. Although TBH I would only put a single shank in the centre pocket to start with a see how you go with it. Then maybe 2 shanks, one on each side, before you consider insalling all three ripper shanks. Just because there are three pockets in the ripper carriage does not mean you have to put three shanks in it.

Thank you Nige. You are truly a wealth of information.

 

[Welder Dave]

You may have enough room to lift the ripper beam high enough the shank will clear. Could back up on some blocks if need a little more room. Having some help to guide the shank would help greatly.

 

[Hoghart]

You may have enough room to lift the ripper beam high enough the shank will clear. Could back up on some blocks if need a little more room. Having some help to guide the shank would help greatly.

you may be correct, I know the beam goes pretty high. Having some help will be critical.

 

[Hoghart]

Another question for you guys. I removed the right side panel to start working on fuel filters and transmission screen. The hour meter readout is facing straight up.

can it be rotated to face to the side of the tractor?

 

[LCA078]

On my D7 the meter is facing a bit more, like the 2 o'clock position if you know what I mean, so I'm guessing yes you can rotate it. Maybe that is a simple tension tab right on the front you can loosen and then rotate?

I'm sure someone will chime with actual knowledge...

 

[LCA078]

Over lunch I search my parts manuals and found what you're looking for. See attached. The hourmeter appears to be held in place by the set screw as I thought. From looking at this, you should be able to easily rotate so it's visible.

Edit: With the part number, I found a couple hourmeters on the interwebs. I'd say you're good to adjust it as you want.

Or even just take it off so you don't add wear and tear to your engine when using your dozer.

 

[Hoghart]

Over lunch I search my parts manuals and found what you're looking for. See attached. The hourmeter appears to be held in place by the set screw as I thought. From looking at this, you should be able to easily rotate so it's visible.

Edit: With the part number, I found a couple hourmeters on the interwebs. I'd say you're good to adjust it as you want.

Or even just take it off so you don't add wear and tear to your engine when using your dozer.
View attachment 334798
View attachment 334799

thank you! that helps a lot.

 

[Hoghart]

I managed to get the hour meter rotated. I am curious as to the proper reading of this. Is the last number hours or tenths?

 

[LCA078]

Take note of the numbers, run it for a couple hours working the dozer at normal pace, and then look at the readings. I understand that meter is run off engine RPMs as opposed to the electric versions that just measure hours when the power is on. Using the RPM type of hourmeter means if the machine is sitting a lot at low idle, the hours will be much lower than if it was at high idle under load....which translates to a better measure of actual engine wear.

I'm sure there is an expert or two here that will have a definitive answer as opposed to my guess.

 

[Hoghart]

Take note of the numbers, run it for a couple hours working the dozer at normal pace, and then look at the readings. I understand that meter is run off engine RPMs as opposed to the electric versions that just measure hours when the power is on. Using the RPM type of hourmeter means if the machine is sitting a lot at low idle, the hours will be much lower than if it was at high idle under load....which translates to a better measure of actual engine wear.

I'm sure there is an expert or two here that will have a definitive answer as opposed to my guess.

I figured that was probably the method to follow. Haven't done anything but idle, moving hydraulics, since I received it. The fuel pump that you recommended changing is delivering Friday, so will try to put a few hours on it this weekend.

 

[Hoghart]

One more question for the message board: Can anyone give me the original build date, or year, of this tractor?
61G1239

Our local Cat dealer was not able to. They had an old book with the 94N serial numbers broken down by year, but nothing on the 61G

 

[Nige]

One more question for the message board: Can anyone give me the original build date, or year, of this tractor?
61G1239

Our local Cat dealer was not able to. They had an old book with the 94N serial numbers broken down by year, but nothing on the 61G

I think only the factory have access to that information. Military machine build information was never openly published in the way that the info was for commercial machines AFAIK.

The 61G prefix military D7F was the equivalent of a 94N prefix with a Serial Number below 94N5191. So whatever year 94N5191 was produced your tractor cannot be newer than that. Obviously it may be older but I have no way of determining exactly by how much.



61G production started in 1970. I have info that dates 61G0351 as 1970 and 61G1046 as 1971, so your tractor will be "newer than that". Therefore it will either be late 1971 or very early 1972 which was the year that 94N production passed 94N5191.

 

[Hoghart]

this is the reference from the local dealer. According to this, the 94N5191 was a 1973, FWIW. I didn’t look at the cover of this “handbook “ sized reference, so i am not 100% sure it is a Cat product.

Regardless of that, I completely agree with your logic that mine should be late 1971 or early 1972.

as always, I appreciate your help.

 

[Nige]

After I posted I found other information that agrees with the photo above. 94N5192 build was early 1973, not 1972. What 61G S/N that corresponds to I have no idea. I believe that 61G production had already ended when 94N5192 was built.

It is interesting that the book gives the impression that the transmission update was effective from 94N5660 the same time as the introduction of the 3306 engine, when in fact the transmission was updated from 94N5192 which was slightly earlier.

That looks very much like a Cat book from that time period. I'm glad someone in the dealership thought it was worth hanging on to.

 

[D6 Merv]

After I posted I found other information that agrees with the photo above. 94N5192 build was early 1973, not 1972. What 61G S/N that corresponds to I have no idea. I believe that 61G production had already ended when 94N5192 was built.

It is interesting that the book gives the impression that the transmission update was effective from 94N5660 the same time as the introduction of the 3306 engine, when in fact the transmission was updated from 94N5192 which was slightly earlier.

That looks very much like a Cat book from that time period. I'm glad someone in the dealership thought it was worth hanging on to.

Actually other way around Nige.
94N5192 up has 3N series 3306
94N5660 up has redesigned transmission

 

[Nige]

I stand corrected. Thanks Merv.

 

[Hoghart]

I am in search of seals for the 5R1377 swivel assemblies. The part is discontinued by Cat and I can’t find any info on the internal seals. See attached photos

any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Hoghart]

A few more photos