Starting 1951 Caterpillar D8 with pony motor

[lbbradley]

Oh how I wish my father was still here to watch THIS !!! He was a Heavy Equipment Operator during the Korean War. Army Corp of Engineers. And was very proud of his D-8 with the pony start. Told me many stories about cranking it on frozen mornings. I have some pictures of him with it !

[dozerboy]

Takes me back to my youth, we had an old army surplus D6 that had a pony motor. It was a rope pull start and then there was a clutch and an engaging lever. Twin sticks with twin steering clutches and the blade was cable operated, what a beast! 💪💪🙌🤟🤙

[wayneandrus]

Good stuff. These guys are real mechanics!!

[dplant]

Hi, Around the Farm.
Good video. Thanks for sharing.

Comments: Not all of that D8 is 1951. The back end and the transmission appear to be at least post-1950 when the D8 changed from the old 'slide-bar' gear shift to the 2-stick transmission that your machine has.

I would guess too that the engine is at least post 1950 because it has the twin exhaust stacks that were characteristic of the what is called the 'Hi-Output D8' a conversion that was done by a Cat dealer named Sheperd - now long gone - to boost the power to make them better suited to push-loading scrapers.

That said, the frame rails and the radiator and its support braces come from a VERY early 2U series D8, circa 1945, or the even earlier 8R series from 1941 to 1945.

Thanks again for sharing.

Just my 0.02.

You all have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

[kobusdutoitbosman]

GREAT first few ‘firing up’ moments…❗️
(thank you stacks)
👊

[ginogallegos]

That dozer looked like it had a love seat lol

[manoelteixeira]

My late father owns a company, where he uses two Caterpillar D 8 2U tractors like these, among others of the brand in earthworks. I myself always in the morning, lubricated and filled the same ones, etc. maneco - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil.

[sreechandran]

My late father shared with us about the pony engine bulldozer he operated in 60s

[Scribles]

They should of added another pony motor to start the pony motor : )

[stillwater]

The compression release would have been easier on the pony motor, would have allowed the intake to heat up, and the fuel pressure, and oil pressure to get up. Then you release the compression release, and give the engine some throttle, and it would fire up like it is suppose to.

[so_how_do_i_work_this_app]

I have one in my back yard just hangin out

[steven-kyps]

My dad had an old Cat like this when I was a kid. He nearly broke his arm when the pony motor crank handle kicked back on him.

[michaelteeple]

This i get, air starters ya but haven't looked into the old percussion or whatever starters with the shot gun looking shells. Im sure it was a bitch in cold temps either way. Glad to see that dude still moving.

[gumballer]

Too bad the little pony motors never get the attention they need since they only run for a little bit and get shut off.

[jameslochridge]

We call the Pony a donkey engine in the UK.

[larrywhinnery]

That set up seems like it would have been a pain in the ass. Wouldn’t an air start have been more efficient, or was that set up not used until later?

[sum]

Очень уж напоминает пускач от нашего Т-130

[dwightkline]

My Dad was in Korea running one of those things Too.

[garyhopkinssr]

I have the old D4 with the two cylinder Pony motor behind the motor

[ericlakota]

Its just camera but looks so small compared to the newer d8 we have prbly because of styling