Caterpillar D4
The Caterpillar D4 track-type tractor is a small bulldozer manufactured by Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar first introduced the RD4 in 1936,[1] as the diesel follow on to the successful CAT 30 gas model. The RD4 originally weighed in at 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg), and used Caterpillar's D4400 engine, an inline four-cylinders, with a 4.25 by 5.50 inches (108 mm × 140 mm) bore and stroke.[2] In 1935 Caterpillar had started the naming convention of "RD" for diesel or "R" for regular gasoline, followed by a number to indicate the relative engine size.[3] In 1937, the "R" was dropped, and just a "D" was used for the diesel versions. At the time of introduction of the RD4, the D4400 engine produced about 43 horsepower (32 kW) at the drawbar so the 4 indicated the relative engine power. The D4 U series was fitted with the more powerful D315 engine. The later D4 series engines quickly increased in power, so the number "4" just became a figure of merit rather than indicating actual engine power.
Version details
[edit]- 6U = Narrow gauge 44 in (1,100 mm)
- 7U = Wide Gauge 60 in (1,500 mm)
- Caterpillar RD4 - 1936-37 (4G) with 4-cylinder D4400 engine[4]
- Caterpillar D4 - 1937-39 (4G) with 4-cylinder D4400 engine
- Caterpillar D4 - 1939-43 (7J) with 4-cylinder D4400 engine
- Caterpillar D4 - 1943-45 (2T) with 4-cylinder D4400 engine
- Caterpillar D4 - 1945-47 (5T) with 4-cylinder D4400 engine
- Caterpillar D4 - 1947-59 6U1 > 6U12781, 7U1-7U44307 Cat 4-cylinder D315 engine.[5]
- Caterpillar D4C - 1959-63[6]
- Caterpillar D4D - 1963-77[6]
- Caterpillar D4E - 1977-84[6]
- Caterpillar D4H - 1985-96[6]
- Caterpillar D4C SII -1990-93[6]
- Caterpillar D4C SIII - 1993[6]
Tracked shovels
[edit]The Caterpillar D4 was used as the base tractor for the Trackson built loader that was known as the T4 or Traxcavator shovel.[6]
See also
[edit]- Caterpillar D5
- Caterpillar D3
- Caterpillar D2
- Heavy equipment
- G-numbers Army cats.
- TM 9-2800 military vehicles
- SNL G151 light tractor
References
[edit]- ^ Orleman, Eric C. (2006) Caterpillar Motorbooks, St. Paul, Minnesota, page 38, ISBN 0-7603-2553-7
- ^ Leffingwell, Randy (1996) Classic Farm Tractors: History of the Farm Tractor Motorbooks International, Osceola, Wisconsin, page 70, ISBN 0-7603-0246-4
- ^ [1] Archived February 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Caterpillar Chronicle by Eric C.Orlemann, published by MBI
- ^ Caterpillar Pocket Guide, by Bob LaVoie
- ^ a b c d e f g Caterpillar by Eric Orlemann, pub by MBI, ISBN 0-7603-0529-3