[AT] Another worn out tractor

[JParks]

I received a call today from a gentleman who had an old Cat D7 for sale.  I
asked him about a description on the machine and he said "It was worn out."
Enough said, I shot him a price and 3 hours later it was sitting in my yard.
He pull started it because the starter pinion mechanism was shot (pretty
common problem with these machines) and left the machine running while he
hauled it to me.  Everything, from the steering clutches, brakes, flywheel
clutch and the cable control unit works smoothly, a tribute to his
maintenance and adjustment skills.  Even the angle blade is clean, straight,
and tight.

It may have been "worn out" to him, but to me it was one of the better D7's
I've run across!  The engine has no blowby, doesn't use oil, and is one of
the last D7 3T's made, a 1955 model, equipped with an flywheel oil clutch,
which is a BIG plus for this model machine.  I've always been partial to the
old D7's, feeling that it was one of the best balanced machines that Cat
made.  It is large enough to do a good days work and won't tear itself up in
the process.  I bought one in similar circumstances in 1980, and used it as
a yard machine until 2002 when a gentleman made me an offer I couldn't
refuse.  Since then I've been using a D6, but just sold that, so now I have
my favorite model back in the fold.

I'll fix the starter pinion problem with little effort (already having the
parts is a big help!) and keep it around for a while.  I would convert it to
direct electric, but the wet clutch D7's did not have a flywheel housing
drilled and tapped for the starter.  Strange phenomenon, as the earlier dry
clutch machines would take a starter with no problems.  So today I'm a happy
li'l junkman and have quickly dreamed up a project so I can go play with the
"new" D7.  Another loading dock is in the works and certainly needed.
Picture at:
http://www.tpaktopc.net/images/catcrawler/D7%203T%2027561%20W-%2025%20CCU%20
AND%20ANGLE%20BLADE.JPG

John Parks
Boise, ID