D2 crawler tractorl

[Travis Eoff]

I recently bought a D2 tractor from a scrap yard. I have no interesty in the tractor, other than I knew it is old and I didn't want to see it cut up for scrap metal.
I am trying to determine the year model. The only thing I have to go on is the ID number. The number is 5U14490.
The man that sold the tractor to the scrap yard said the he had the engine running. I know that the tracks, hand brakes, and hand clutches are all free. The tractor is mostly complete. Any information would be appreciated.
 

[Billy NY]

5U is the last series of that model, and the most current design, after 13000 something, and they went to 18000 something in 1957, and that was it for the D2. 5U is a wide gauge, 4U is a narrow gauge, which is the dimension from center of track to center of track.

Steering clutches being free is a bonus on those, they can seize from lack of use, moisture etc., if the tracks are decent, even if not, a complete, later model 5U like that ought to have some interest, even at scrap price, try the ACMOC and ACME antique caterpillar forums, join if need be to get the tractor posted for sale, they are not rare but the size makes them collectible, and maybe it has a dozer blade on it, would be awesome if its a tool bar set up, you can swing those arms back and use a variety of tools, which are not often found, but a tractor set up with that particular dozer/tool bar kit is a useful can collectible feature, maybe you can post a photo of it here, and great job on keeping it from being scrapped, parts alone someone could use, might be a complete salvageable tractor.

Undercarriage replacement parts are hard to find now, no new aftermarket, but you can convert to later D3 worst case scenario.
 

[dpendzic]

Thats a 1954 machine
 

[oldtanker]

Wish I could find one at scrap price!

Rick
 

[Billy NY]

Any of these up to the larger ones are a very useful tractor on any farm, even if not used often, older, they were well made in that era and there are or were so many of that era tractor left to the wayside in the u.s. especially out west, some seemingly so as newer models came out, was not uncommon to find one that is not wore out. In this area most crawlers of that age and mfr have a lot of wear if abandoned, but not all, and you do still see a few for sale. Towing logs, heavy snow clearing, stuck tractors or set it up for tillage, wide gauge or LGP, great in soft areas if you have a pto and want to mow, they really are a useful tractor, I cannot see why anyone would scrap a good one.

The farm I get my vegetable plants from has green houses, he mostly does hay aside from the greenhouses, but he was able to afford late model equipment, all barn kept, I like the set up, his grandad started all of it way back when and though he is in his waning years now, sad to see him in the chair, he still sits outside and talks with customers, 3 generations of farming at least, and they did vegetables mostly. His grandson, in addition to the tractors and hay equipment did have a Caterpillar D6 B or C rebuilt, extensive work done, very reliable and very handy if you get stuck.

I remember all the times we used the D7 when I was a kid, now I have to get that clutch back in mine come H#ll or high water, hate being without it even though its not used all that much.
 

[Billy NY]

A little different than tanks, but its still got its brass tag and numbers showing on the back, left over from WWII. Thought you might recognize the "nomenclature" LOL!