Squatch 253 just completed a nut-and-bolt restoraion of a first generation D2 adding many factory options, such as the bumper, belly pan and wide tracks. He used as many Cat NOS parts as possible, good used parts from his and other stashes and MADE PARTS if he couldn't find them otherwise. This included the bumper and belly pan. Squatch 253 is a true craftsman and i highly recommend his channel.

@bow-tiedengineer4453

Жыл бұрын

I don't know if I should be thanking you for your excellent recommendation, or cursing you for making it even harder for me to get my classwork done. :P

@bobbeals1509

Жыл бұрын

Aw quit whining! Lol

@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd

Жыл бұрын

And we've yet to see the cab on the D2

@AlejandroGarcia-tk7hv

Жыл бұрын

​​@@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd He has the cab stored on the container with the x253 and 5j1113 waiting I think for next winter to install it

@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd

Жыл бұрын

@@AlejandroGarcia-tk7hv I'm looking forward to more progress on X-231 👍

If anyone is interested, a youtuber named Squatch253 did a complete top to bottom rebuild of one of these on his channel. Also does other classic heavy machinery videos. Give him a go, he deserves some more subs!

@jacobmello5126

Жыл бұрын

I watch all of squatch’s videos!

@davidnaudi2601

Жыл бұрын

Same Just love this old iron

@bobjohnston8316

Жыл бұрын

That makes three of us. The two channels approach stuff in different ways. Matt is more into rescues of old equipment then get it running and use it even if not perfect. Toby (Squatch) seems more into focusing on one piece of old equipment at a time and rebuilding it to factory new specs.

@paulmartin8212

Жыл бұрын

@@jacobmello5126 me too. he has amazing teaching skills, and I don't even own old stuff, just appreciate because I'm old.

@jenniferwhitewolf3784

Жыл бұрын

Toby is DA MAN on early D2 for sure... Squatch253 channel👍👍

I am constantly amazed at the ability of ANY engine to run well again after 30+ years of disuse and exposure to the weather! (And have great respect for the guys who can nurse them back to life.)

@user-ht1xu4gv2u

9 ай бұрын

Yup. Eps hate u for all that smoke

Interesting history to share: The Caterpillar D2 was manufactured from 1938 through 1957 by Caterpillar Inc. in their factory in Peoria, Illinois, USA. The base frame of this model of tractor is a crawler, and it is equipped with five forward gears and one reverse gear.[2] The D2's weight ranges from about 7,420 to 8,536 pounds (3,366 to 3,872 kilograms), depending upon the year it was manufactured.[1] Caterpillar began producing this model (among others) in response to the "New Deal" programs that were initiated by President Franklin Roosevelt to stimulate America's economy. A total of 26,454 D2's were made over the nineteen years they were in production.[1]

You can’t save them all Matt, let somebody else have some fun every once in awhile-it’ll come back to you when your buddy finds something he knows is in your wheelhouse. Thanks for the video!

@philgrimsey3637

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. I came here to say the same thing.

@hunterfigueroa9500

Жыл бұрын

He saves them from going to the scrap yard, and gives them a new purpose.

@michaelfraser5723

Жыл бұрын

WHEEL HOUSE ? it ain't a ship, guy

@dylancampbell17

Жыл бұрын

​@michael fraser a lot of old timers at least where I'm from call the top half of cranes a wheelhouse. Don't ask me why

@trevdell8048

Жыл бұрын

It's junk people!!!

Lots of knowledge of old iron for a 31 year old Matt. Very impressive. Love this channel my man.

@egomaniac247

Жыл бұрын

"1992 that was the year I was born!" .....damn I feel old now LOL

@PiazzaWoodWorks

Жыл бұрын

92, why do Americans always look older than they are

@christopherweise438

Жыл бұрын

@@PiazzaWoodWorks - We don't take care of ourselves.

@michael140169

Жыл бұрын

His age and seeing what he can do, has done already and does, is the most amazing part of this episode/channel.👍

@DieselCreek

Жыл бұрын

@@michael140169 just getting started my friend!!

"Built to be reliable, not to be replaceable" is now my motto when referring to the quality of this old stuff. Great work as always, Matt!

@joshh6470

7 ай бұрын

tshirt idea right there

Go ahead Matt…make me feel old. Born in 1992! Our oldest daughter was born in 1993! That being said it’s awesome young folks like yourself are doing what you’re doing! Gives me hope for this country!

@roryreid3124

2 ай бұрын

Lol my youngest was born in 90 ... wheres my walker ? My wheelchair?

My grandpa had bought a caterpillar years ago originally as a project for me and him to work on together. He sold it a few years later to fund a hunting trip when I was 16 or so. I'm 22 now, and I still wish he hadn't sold it and accepted my parents' offer to pay for part of the trip.

@frank-t6857

Жыл бұрын

You can always find a Caterpillar project. You just need to know what to buy and what not to buy.

@norwegiangadgetman

Жыл бұрын

That sucks. I just started work on an old backhoe myself. It's an early 60s Nuffield 342(3cyl british tractor) with an early HYMAS(Norwegian design. HYdraulisk MASkin firma, 'Hydraulic MAchine company' ) backhoe installed. Weird stuff... The front axle is missing the outer parts, and instead there's some sort of truck axle bolted on, to make it slightly wider and fit larger tires(we think that was done by the HYMAS guys). The Backhoe has it's own frame that's bolted onto the tractor, and hydraulics is by a pump bolted to the front and driven by the crankshaft. It's definitely not made to be removed in a hurry. The boom on the backhoe is a heavy iron pipe, not a boxed section. The tractor lacks original hydraulics, the arms, towhook or even a PTO, and we think it was built that way originally. Fun thing... My father started his career as a machine operator with a similar HYMAS, but possibly on a different tractor base(he can't remember) He sold it back in the 70s when he upgraded to a tracked Hydraulic Digger, but when he came across this one some time after 2000, it brought back memories and hge bought it to restore and possibly do a bit of 'large scale gardening' at home. Then he got ill(double bypass surgery, cancer and we don't know all) and he no longer has the health to do anything to it. I hope to get it started this summer, so he can teach me how to dig with it. (He's 86, so who knows how many years he has got left) Anyway, the backhoe is at my parents home, so I get to spend some time with him, talking about the old days and what he experienced here and there while wrenching. That's the most important part of these projects.

@cabbagememes2852

Жыл бұрын

@@frank-t6857 I feel like the way you made your comment tells me you have bought a lot of caterpillars and you know what’s bad and what’s good to work on 😂

@frank-t6857

Жыл бұрын

@@cabbagememes2852 Thank you for noticing that. If you have done some projects you will always get some experience.

@grosseileracingteam

Жыл бұрын

Hey Matt. Yes those little D2s are cool but you are probably better off letting your friend have it. I don't know how you get as much done as you do right now. Always cool when we save some good old American iron. Thanks for posting.

Matt's unbounded joy when one of these old relics fires up--even if not his relic--never ceases to put a smile on my face.

@tysonernst9657

Жыл бұрын

You need to press the brake pedals....the levers only disengage the clutches

@ljprep6250

11 ай бұрын

I'm the same way with any ICE engine and electric motors with cranky controllers.

G'day mate, we own one of these have for 50 years. Process to start is this as per the book - Start pony which you've done no worries. - Once pony warm, engage main engine - diesel fuel off & decompression lever pulled out = deco on. - After engine has rolled over for a little while with decompression still pulled out, push in the deco lever to create compression on main engine. You can then let the Pony roll the big motor over in this configuration for quite some time - still no diesel fuel though. (Engine oil pressure should be up now too.) - in this configuration the pony motor is generating warmth into diesel motor via friction & exhaust gases running through main diesel manifold. Its a very kind and gentle way to start a diesel. heating the diesel motor prior to starting is part of the process. - When your happy main motor has fuel pressure & heat you can shut off fuel to pilot motor and just before pilot conks out rotate & open the diesel fuel to main engine, She'll start perfectly every time. - Pilot will stop as fuel is expired, This is important. - This method is straight from the book and is how it should be done, don't open diesel fuel lever tool early. Good luck...

Man I had a Pomeranian that same color that used to go everywhere with me too. Miss her a lot.

1992 isn’t that long ago…..30 years??? Nahhhh no way Oh crap I feel old now

@christopherweise438

Жыл бұрын

Me too.

@nealc.6927

Жыл бұрын

Hah! Born in '65, I were. I'm positively *Vintage,* me . . . 😂

@davidhall8874

Жыл бұрын

My children are older than he is!

@MrPaulviles

Жыл бұрын

I am 81 model and now feel incredibly unaccomplished hearing Matt is 31!?!?!?! I always thought he was mid 40’s! 😂

@Jay.Kellett

Жыл бұрын

Heck. I'm so old, it was all rock when I got here. I had to break the rock down to dirt, by hand, just grow food!

Hi Matt, I can't believe you're only 30-31. You have accomplished a huge amount in your young life. Keep up the good work!

@DieselCreek

Жыл бұрын

Just getting warmed up! 😎

@McBuggs.

Жыл бұрын

@@DieselCreek... Who knows, u might warm up even more when yer buddy offers u the dozer later down the road! 🤞

@april7_

Жыл бұрын

Same feeling! Same age as my oldest kid (yes here are also some old beards!) Do not know what keeps me watching these but I love it!

@charlesangell_bulmtl

Жыл бұрын

@@DieselCreek 👍

@CS-wk5jm

Жыл бұрын

I was about to say the same thing! Finally we all know the age of this guy :D

So I literally have ZERO experience with anything like this. I have no idea how an engine/motor works. Im a 26 ur old stay at home mom that still has my dad take my car to get any type of maintenance.. I do however obsess over engineering and chemistry content. I literally only watch KZread to fall asleep at night. But I came across your channel last night and I stayed up until 3am glued to my screen. Watching you bring these old things back to life has absolutely consumed me for the last 24 hours. It’s so beautiful. I don’t understand why I’m so intrigued but I cannot look away.

@DieselCreek

Жыл бұрын

Awesome!! Stick around you might find yourself looking for old dozers when your driving down the road! 😂👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

It was good to see a mechanic with some decent tools, not just some guys with slip jaw pliers and an adjustable wrench.

There’s a channel called Pacific Northwest Hillbilly, who just finished a full restoration on a caterpillar D4-7U. I actually found his channel, because of yours, Matt. It was one of KZread’s recommendation that claimed, Diesel Creek’s , viewers also watch his channel. Hope everyone has a great weekend.🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻

@splatterize

Жыл бұрын

Great guy. He has some good jokes as well. I especially like the one on how to tell the difference between 2 different adjustable wrenches (crescent style).

@tveduk8r

Жыл бұрын

Love to watch his channel too! He’s somewhere between Squatch and Diesel Creek. 🤭

The Caterpillar D2 was manufactured from 1938 to 1957 in their factory in Peoria IL, and under 40,000 were made in total.

It's great to see someone saving a piece of history from the scrap pile. Evan if you only get the engine to run is a thrill !

Im impressed she is moving under its own power and the tracks are moving wow 28:13 @Diesel Creek

Seeing these old machines come back to life is always amazing. They really did some beautiful work on machines back in the day.

@verteup

Жыл бұрын

They put very high quality parts in these old cats. No expense was spared in the production of quality.

@87mini

Жыл бұрын

@@verteup Back when the path to success of a company was everyone contributing to sell the consumer the best possible product, not a few execs blowing up stock prices to get the maximum annual bonus pay.

@galactic2042

Жыл бұрын

That’s pretty dam impressive for sitting that long

Sometimes helping a buddy is more worth then keeping things your self. You never know when they might return you a favour.😁🧑‍🏭

Thanks, Diesel Creek, for saving these old classics! The excitement you share as you cross each milestone of repair makes me feel like a kid again. They may be old but not obsolete! Thanks again!

Friends helping friends, what a concept. We need more of this. Just like the ole days!

"...and a 1000 other projects." That right there is why you shouldn't be upset about handing this one off. Plus, you get to share the journey with us as your buddy works on it, so win-win as a viewer.

It's afternoon 5 pm in India and watching Matt's new mades my day😂😂😂 love from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

@frank-t6857

Жыл бұрын

3 pm here in Uganda. Enjoying every video from Matt 👍

@Scsmitchaudhari

Жыл бұрын

Chalo koi to Mila mere jesa 😅

@wes11bravo

Жыл бұрын

I hear nothing but good things about India's own Mahindra tractors, Amrita. All the best from Pittsburgh USA!

@joshgreer2324

Жыл бұрын

11am here in the USA

@markknister6272

Жыл бұрын

Watching from Belize. Live in AZ.

Love watching these old will it run vids especially the old Dozers and Excavator. Great Job Mike and Matt

Matt, I swear you can start ANYTHING. Never ceases to amaze me that you can take something that to most of us looks like a nice payday at the scrap yard and get it going. Nice job.

A testament to the simplicity of old machinery !

@BlackPill-pu4vi

Жыл бұрын

Despite all the video angles, I still couldn't see where the OBD II connection port is on that dozer. It was hard starting because they didn't see all the Error codes! He'll have to get a new iPhone and get the latest app for CAT Central App to contact tech support (have VISA card ready) and fix the codes.

@splatterize

Жыл бұрын

@@BlackPill-pu4vi HAHAHAHAHAAH!!!

There's something about seeing old equipment running that is emotionally satisfying. A warm fuzzy feeling inside. 🤗🤗🤗

You guys are awesome as heck. I love old stuff running.

squatch253 has an 80 part youtube series on restoring every part of a d2 if you need references

@navcenter77

Жыл бұрын

I have one which was my grandpas farm tractor. Sat 30 years in a paddock and didn't run. All it needed was the pony motor rebuild and now I am doing the Steering clutches. I named mine CAThy

@ericpaul4575

Жыл бұрын

@@navcenter77 nice name. Also that winch would look nice on 5J1113.

Ah... No better rainy Saturday morning than the smell of bacon and a new "Will it Run" video from Matt.

It gives me so much pleasure seeing old machines coming back to life .

Lovely cute little garden machine. Thanks

Both of those engines sound pretty good. I've definitely learned something about these pony setups, thanks Matt

Mike is pretty good mechanic. It's in good hands.

I must say, you have one great diesel mechanic working with you! Great job guys!!!

That’s awesome. That little boy will never forget that day. Tiny Houston MS

Matt, it was great to see you in person today at lakeside sand & gravel. Been watching your videos for over 2 years. My son loves sitting down with me and watch them with me on Saturday mornings. I’ve really enjoyed the shop build video and hope to work my way up from my one car garage to a shop like yours.

I really love seeing this old iron coming back to life and being preserved . I really glad you and a few of your young friends in joy this.

Damn Matt, 1992. My youngest baby of the family was 1991! You really made me feel old today! AND you passed on a great buy! What a day!

@Matthewzilla

Жыл бұрын

My old man started making kids in ‘75 and stopped in ‘96. 8 boys, no girls. Unfortunately I was the only perfect one of the bunch. Coincidentally, my name is Matt and I was also born in ‘92 😅

Very cool will it run video! Love how you all bring these old relics back to life. Stay safe. Peace

Very nice👏👏 Im glad to see another machine saved from scrap👍

Matt, you are living my dream from many years ago. I get so much joy from what you present in your videos. Thank you so very much.

You guys never cease to amaze me. I think you could get a rock to run!

Good to see a Junior and K-9 Corp involved. There's always hope for the future. Always entertaining and informative. Thanks Matt.

I'll never get tired of watching old equipment come back to life! Diesel engines with starter engines!

@johnliebermann4643

Жыл бұрын

Well I wish we could get them to do it correctly!

@dans_Learning_Curve

Жыл бұрын

@@johnliebermann4643 ??? Correctly??? What are they doing wrong?

@johnliebermann4643

Жыл бұрын

@@dans_Learning_Curve They get the big engine turning, they turn on the fuel then close the valves. The engine fires once and disconnects the drive(it isn't a Bendix). The proper procedure is to rotate the big engine with valves closed to preheat slightly, then turn fuel on.

For $500 you can't really lose, nicely done fellas, I'm really glad to see these old machines being rescued and given a second chance, or third lol, but these are pieces of history and it's really cool to see you guys get them up n running, well done!!

You may not own it, but you gained another layer of respect for passing on a project to a friend. What a thoughtful thing to do. That will be returned several fold from others. Be well, be safe!

It’s nice to have the knowledge to repair these engines. Good job as always

OK... the guy with the flip phone, chubby Pomeranian, and the can of PB Blaster is the highlight of the whole thing!!

Mikes a hell of a mechanic!!!! Great job Mike.

In many years past, when I ran into the problem with the steering clutches being frozen, I would make sure that the bottoms of the clutch compartments were sealed up and then pour five or ten gallons of parts solvent into them. I always made sure to submerge the clutches. I would then let them sit for an hour or two and then start running the crawler back and forth. This always took some time, but this procedure always worked. Kudos to your buddy. There is no doubt that he has been around crawlers before. He knows his business.

Just wow, old equipment never ceases to amaze me. Great vid, keep up the great work.😁

You can’t kill these old machines. A little love goes a long way. Great video!

Perfect timing! Just poured my coffee. Thanks for the content Matt.

It is a gem indeed matt. Very easy to work on once ya get the tub top plate off. Desirable unit to the right person WITH the blade setup and winch. Not many came with the winch actually.

Seeing the exciting with both of you when the diesel popped off was great! Very cool piece of equipment! Keep up the good work guys!

You guys are impressive! I don't know jack about squat when it comes to engines, so fun to see it happen on older machines!

Great filming ! Thanks Matt made my day , great knowledge on the old cats saving stuff for future , some how compulsive watching , , well looking forward to the next episode !

would love to see a part 2 its great seeing equipment we ran years ago come back to life just goes to show how well they were built back then

Thanks for the lesson. I am amazed how this equipment sits in the weather, and the charm of your hands bring it back to life. Later.

I simply can`t get enough of these videos. A relative of mine owned one of those tractors in Costa Rica. Next time I go down there I`ll check if it`s still parked in the same spot and at least take a few pictures and maybe share them with you. Thanks for sharing, Matt!

I had to laugh when Mike said "contact".

Great video ,thanks for sharing Matt..from first appearance to running wow! She runs pretty sweet-great job guys stay safe 1

That was so cool. I love it when you get one of these old Equipment and get it running. It's my favorite shows.

That is a sweet sounding motor, both of them! Good work. You guys have to have a lot of patience to work on these old machines. It's not money, it's the joy of success. Really nice!!

Still one of my favorite KZread channels... even if it's watching a friend get an old D2 going again, it's still a lot of fun to see it moving (and seeing Matt's reaction!). I'm sure that one day Matt'll find his own D2, and we'll cheer him on as he makes it part of the stable at Diesel Creek! Love those "big boy" toys!

@kristoffermangila

Жыл бұрын

Make it a WW2 era D2, and paint it up in OD green.

@Jose-ct7uf

11 ай бұрын

I hear you, if it runs it good to pull when it snows ,ice up roads pulling smi truck's . Besides it's all money. U Tube your the best.

I would love to see more on this Matt! Repairing the steering, maybe adding a cable to the winch?

"They're made to be reliable, not replaceable". Aint that the truth! First and foremost they made them waterproof,...after thirty years in the rain the magneto, wires and plugs still work. I see the flywheel on the pony has a slot in it for starting with a rope. Its seems to run so well now you might not even need a battery to start that machine!! They just don't make like they used to!

My late uncle bought his D-2 new back in 1950-1. My cousin still uses it regularly on the Finger Lakes farm New York. Great crawler 👍👍

@squatch253 would be proud. He has an ultra detailed rebuild series on a unit like this. He’s got a few beauty vintage Cats.

Matt. While you did not get this machine yourself, you did get a video out of it and another one. This is a super fair trade off I would say! Super stoked to see another good machine up and running and going some place new! This is why many of us like your channel.

It gives me joy that you guys save these old machines.

i bought 3 that had been sitting for 45 years,,,,pulled them 40 ft in third gear and they started right up

I have been around several D2 in my career of managing highway and bridge construction projects. I never saw them used except for walking sod to firmly press it to the ground. But they were perfect for that. On my large projects, they were too small for actually push dirt. Enjoyed seeing another old one brought back to life. Thanks.

@MrZipperhead16

Жыл бұрын

You just didn't have the right operator. In the right hands they're a hell of a machine.

Several things here. LaPlante Choate (silent e) built a lot of early Cat attachments. Not as many as LeTourneau though who had a plant in Peoria. I have heard from one source that the Cat branded blades for the D-2 were build by LaPlante. If a machine has been setting that long, it might be well to check the spring in the relief valve below the fuel transfer pump. Water collecting there will rust the spring and make the engine hard or impossible to start. There are small plates on the steering clutch compartments accessed by removing the foot plates. Making sure the drain plugs are in place, fill these compartments with kerosene. Run the machine back and forth WITHOUT trying to steer to wash the compartments. This is the Cat recommended procedure. Same with the master clutch. Kerosene was cheaper back in the day. That machine is probably just a few years younger than me. It could be parted out for substantial $$, but is probably worth replacing the tracks. Do hope to see part two. Hope it's not stuffing that engine into the 212.

Great find, fantastic video watching you bring it to life, looking forward to part 2!!!!!!

I'm 82 now and the first Cat I ran at 12 years old was a D2 Cat, and ran Heavy Equipment for over 60 years, good luck with the restoration and getting this classic back running again

Matt, it sure is nice to see that old D2 running and moving again after sitting for 30 years. Blessings to you.

You guys are amazing. You resurrect old, old machines and make them walk again.

@challengecompleted55

Жыл бұрын

Check out Squatch253 if you want see more like it! He's an awesome teacher, and will really get into all the nerdy details.

@jakealter5504

Жыл бұрын

This one didn’t need a huge amount of resurrecting

@dubuque1

Жыл бұрын

Surprised someone from Caterpillar does not pay attention, considering what these guys do Pretty incredible feats with these machines.

@dubuque1

Жыл бұрын

@@jakealter5504 Yeah the pony motor really worked well, and once started the diesel seems quite well too.

I love seeing you bring old metal back to life. Makes me miss the old drag crain we had growing up

If you want to fix another dozer, my grandfather has a 1950s d6, as he remembers, sitting in a barn that hasn't ran in around 30 to 40 years.

Maybe not a home run but safe at second for sure. Thanks Matt and Mike.

Nice little dozer, even has a winch and it works. Purrs like a kitten, looks like the tracks freed up pretty easy. That would be a nice tractor for pulling logs out of a woods. I think I’d keep the blade together with the tractor though. Thanks for sharing, see you next week.

That's amazing how that machine came back to life after setting for so long. These old machines were extremely well built.

Hey Matt. You win some and you loose some. I've watched your channel long enough to know you've won more then you lost. Sharing with friends is good.

What a lot of knowledge you guys have about these machines, and I love it to bits when you have one of these old machines running again 😁

Matt, this one brings a smile to my heart. My grandfather had one of these siting in a shed for years until a family member hauled it off. I wish we’d have kept it because it would certainly still be with me. Thanks for doing what you do to keep these old girls alive and kicking. A lot of us are living vicariously through you until we can get our own iron. Edited to add: “Built to be reliable, not replaceable” might be my new favorite saying for this old iron. I might borrow that, with credit of course.

@nou8257

Жыл бұрын

People always wonder why I own older vehicles and equipment and that is the reason why modern new stuff is throw away stuff probably even comes with a best by date on them now

We use to wire the cutch controls back before storing our old D6 and pour diesel on them so they wouldn’t stick and lock up but we have had to replace the clutches before it still runs and drives fine

I really didn’t think this thing would run and was flabbergasted when you got it to move under its own power. Mike is diesel whisperer. Thanks for sharing.

Great Job Matt and Mike on getting that old Cat Dozer running and driving again.. well done..

Some friends, tools, beer, and a repair project. Good times!

LOVE watching these vids! I can't work on this stuff like you guys but love watching people do this! another great vid!

Great stuff Matt, your a huge inspiration for me. Hope to have all the cool toys you have one day :) Keep rocking on mate.

Thumbs up for the steering clutch repair. Would be great to see that. Nice old machine, and nice to see it getting some love.

@charleslaatz6189

Жыл бұрын

Cool seeing you here watching other youtubers, love your videos.

Love this guy Matt. He loves it and it shows

Good score for $500. So many old machines go for scrap. It is only enthusiasts like you and Mike that save a few. You take a chance with your own money. Nice when you have a win.

Love the content! Keep it up!!