Hi, WildcatWilly. The industry term for those machines is a sideboom pipelayer. The three round filters that you first pointed to are the engine oil filters while fuel filter is the square tower that you pointed to second. That particular machine has had a modification done to it to increase its lifting capacity. This modification was originally done to a batch of these machines by Peterson Tractor Special Products Division in San Leandro, CA. for Bechtel Corp. for use on the California-Texas oil pipeline in around 1949-50. Essentially, the left track was moved out about 2 to 2 1/2 feet from its original position closer in to the tractor's main frame. Originally, it would have been the same as the right side, much closer in to the main frame. That would also be the reason for the offset track plates on the left side, wider to carry the extra load and offset to fit inside the sideboom mast. I do not know if this machine was one of that batch or if the modification was done by Peterson or somebody else. There was a much later 14A D8 with the offset left track unfortunately went to scrap up in Washington state about 10 years ago. I make the serial number to be - 2U 21242. The small lever down back of the pony motor that you said had good snap to it is actually the Hi-Lo speed lever for the pony motor drive. The starter pinion control and its clutch are the two levers, one on top of the other, forward of that lever. The hard nose on the front puts it as 1950 or later, as would the serial number, I think. Back in those days, they were naturally aspirated - no turbo. Thanks for the video - GREAT stuff. Just my 0.02. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
Wow! Thank you so much for the insight! I honestly think this is one of the nicest comments I've ever had I really appreciate your viewership. Its always so awesome to document something and then have someone truly appreciate it. Thank you.
Hi, @@wildcatwilly. Yer welkum, Sir. Thank YOU for braving the hornets to do the video. On another note, I know the lady who is the historian for Peterson Tractors and I have sent her the link to your video. If she is interested in obtaining further information, would you be willing to disclose the location of this machine to her for the purpose of obtaining further information? Just my 0.02. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
.Hi, @wildcatwilly. I know of one way to find out - if it's not too much trouble. I haven't heard back from the historian lady yet and so I don't even know if she might be interested in further information either. Just a thought. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
That is a Cat 2U series D8 with a Trackson model MDW8 pipelayer attachment, it has what was called "back in the day" a "Jake Leg" sideboom. In the 60's Cat made the 583 Pipelayer. Buster Peterson of Peterson Tractor came up with offset left track frame for more load capacity on Bechtel's "Super Inch Pipeline" in California.
Hi, WildcatWilly.
The industry term for those machines is a sideboom pipelayer. The three round filters that you first pointed to are the engine oil filters while fuel filter is the square tower that you pointed to second.
That particular machine has had a modification done to it to increase its lifting capacity. This modification was originally done to a batch of these machines by Peterson Tractor Special Products Division in San Leandro, CA. for Bechtel Corp. for use on the California-Texas oil pipeline in around 1949-50. Essentially, the left track was moved out about 2 to 2 1/2 feet from its original position closer in to the tractor's main frame. Originally, it would have been the same as the right side, much closer in to the main frame.
That would also be the reason for the offset track plates on the left side, wider to carry the extra load and offset to fit inside the sideboom mast.
I do not know if this machine was one of that batch or if the modification was done by Peterson or somebody else. There was a much later 14A D8 with the offset left track unfortunately went to scrap up in Washington state about 10 years ago.
I make the serial number to be - 2U 21242.
The small lever down back of the pony motor that you said had good snap to it is actually the Hi-Lo speed lever for the pony motor drive. The starter pinion control and its clutch are the two levers, one on top of the other, forward of that lever.
The hard nose on the front puts it as 1950 or later, as would the serial number, I think. Back in those days, they were naturally aspirated - no turbo.
Thanks for the video - GREAT stuff.
Just my 0.02.
You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
Wow! Thank you so much for the insight! I honestly think this is one of the nicest comments I've ever had I really appreciate your viewership. Its always so awesome to document something and then have someone truly appreciate it. Thank you.
Hi, @@wildcatwilly.
Yer welkum, Sir. Thank YOU for braving the hornets to do the video.
On another note, I know the lady who is the historian for Peterson Tractors and I have sent her the link to your video. If she is interested in obtaining further information, would you be willing to disclose the location of this machine to her for the purpose of obtaining further information?
Just my 0.02.
You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
I'm not sure the company would want that.
.Hi, @wildcatwilly.
I know of one way to find out - if it's not too much trouble.
I haven't heard back from the historian lady yet and so I don't even know if she might be interested in further information either.
Just a thought.
You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
That is a Cat 2U series D8 with a Trackson model MDW8 pipelayer attachment, it has what was called "back in the day" a "Jake Leg" sideboom. In the 60's Cat made the 583 Pipelayer. Buster Peterson of Peterson Tractor came up with offset left track frame for more load capacity on Bechtel's "Super Inch Pipeline" in California.
Wow that is incredible how do you know so much about them?
I've been around crawler tractors for 53 years, I also collect allot of literature on equipment too. Thanks, Gary @@wildcatwilly
I worked on a pipeline in the early 70's and they used one of those to lower the pipe
Oh ya where you from?
@@wildcatwillyNorth of Conway Arkansas about 5 miles.
Can't say I've been there but I have been through Arkansas