Will It Start? Barn Find Caterpillar Bulldozer with LOW HOURS

Today we got to help some friends start their grandpa's dozer from 1947!! This is the oldest thing we have worked on. Its so cool to hear the stories they told about when they were kids riding on the sides while he worked. Keeping family traditions and legacy alive is one of our favorites things. We love farming and the community we have around us, and want everyone to be able to experience that! We're so happy you're here.

Thank you to my video editor, Nathan.

Laura Farms
PO Box 536
Aurora, NE 68818

*For business/collaboration inquiries*

[caterpi]

I have three of them. Couple tips. Use the pony motor to start as it does more then just turn the diesel engine. It also warms the coolant around the diesel engine, which helps the injectors so the engine doesn’t start so cold. Most likely the pony motor is not starting because the carburetor is plugged up or needs cleaned. 99% of the time that’s the issue. Pull the carburetor and give it a thorough cleaning.Gas tank on the pony needs to be full and above the carburetor as the pressure from a full tank helps push fuel through. Don’t run it in fifth gear if you don’t have to. It just creates extra wear.

[Timsmith-qy]

Laura yours and Grants parents have to be so proud of you both the way you’re always thanking of others.

[WilliamBabbitt-yeso]

Please!!! More old equipment videos!! This was the best!!!

[Jimsalos]

So kind of you to not only help your friends by getting that dozer going, but the way you speak of your grandparents is very special! I miss my grandparents a lot

[tonyb]

Love how Grant zones in on at that $20 can of Kroil. He's right, that's the good stuff right there.

[dannesthlm]

Half of these videos enjoyment is the sheer joy from Laura and Grant, you two look SO happy when you get to tinker and it starts, I dont know if others see it, but you both kind of shines up of joy!

[TomRowan]

Glad to see your videos are back up! Thanks! ❤

[grasub]

My Dad had one of these back in 1954 and he put and attachment onto it - by reversing the rams he mad a deep plough from the rear. And done drainage with single specially made board. Thanks from Ireland. I drove it when I was 6 years old - I am now 68 and have fond memories of this lovely Cat

[PeterDowd-rb]

Laura and Grant, what a wonderful gesture to do such a great favor for your friends in accomplish the mission in restarting the 1947 D2 Bulldozer. The old machinery was so basic and uncomplicted. Grant has such great natural mechanical ability. It's wonderful to see how much respect and appreciation you both have for your Grandfathers.

[jeffmoss]

We have a 1950 D4 owned since new. I can coach you as to how it starts. A few years ago we put an electric starter on the diesel engine so it now starts with the touch of a button. That was a labor of love. We still use the machine and it is by far our favorite tractor ever. My grandpa bought it new, my dad operated from age 20 til he died at 89 in 2019, and I learned how to drive tractor on it at age 8. It’s a family treasure.

[Ralphcanoeingadventures]

The smile on your face says it all! You were totally enjoying yourself 😊

[oldgrizz]

First, really grateful for you kindness and willingness to help others, Second, love your affection for grandparents, honored ancestors, and old equipment. Your appreciation for the old ways and the foundations you build on is very impressive. Third, I admire you willingness to try and learn new things with excitement of childhood. Finally, I just can imagine bouncing around on these old dozers for 8 hours a day on a construction site. Thanks Laura not only feeding the world, but making a much warming and beautiful place to live.

[DaveBullock-ih]

Laura, the look on your face when the little dozer started was absolutely priceless!! 😂 Your videos are so much fun.

[IMAGINATIONxCREATION]

Laura, that was the most amazing thing I have seen you do! Being the one to ride the dozer and pop the clutch - have the chain break and still have no fear to try again. I have a new respect for you and your genuine love for the machinery in your videos. Great stuff. Thanks to you both.

[LeonaLamm]

First, really grateful for you kindness and willingness to help others, Second, love your affection for grandparents, honored ancestors, and old equipment. Your appreciation for the old ways and the foundations you build on is very impressive. Third, I admire you willingness to try and learn new things with excitement of childhood. Finally, I just can imagine bouncing around on these old dozers for 8 hours a day on a construction site. Thanks Laura not only feeding the world, but making a much warming and beautiful place to live.

[arthurjoseph]

I so remember starting and driving my dad's D2 on our farm in Colorado. He bought it new in 1948 when I was 6 years old. When I got big enough to start the pony motor, I had to put one foot on the track to have enough leverage to pull the rope and turn the motor over. Dad never let me pull or plow or whatever implement he was pulling but would let me drive it home from the field if I walked out to where he was working. He loved that tractor. We had a small lake on the farm and he fell asleep while plowing and drove through a fence and into the lake and woke up when the tractor got stuck in the mud. Had to borrow a tractor from a neighbor to pull it out.

[patrickbailey]

Ok lets put things in perspective. Getting her hop in that old bulldozer and popping the clutch while bouncing around... Gold. Watching her have enough sense to spray some ether in the air cleaner when it starts sputtering and then adjust the throttle ....Priceless. Laura.. you are Badass!

[richardwollgren]

Laura had no doubt you that you would get that old Dozer going you're amazing young lady

[js]

Did a grouser job- welding on new track cleats- on a same era D9 Cat. Starting with the pony motor was like a pre-flight for a plane. Grab this lever, get this rpm then throw that lever n let out the clutch!! So cool you'all share these machines that started it all.

[Bstir]

Love this video !!!! My Grandpa had a 1940's Military Surplus CAT D2 from WW2. It didn't have the dozer blade on it, but was so much fun to use. We mainly used it for pulling a disc, or pulling tree stumps. so many good memories with the D2 ! And keep the old equipment videos coming.