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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Antique Caterpillar Machinery Museum: Caterpillars 1934-WWII

In 1934 the Diesel Thirty Five was replaced by the Diesel Forty. By early 1935, Caterpillar introduced a new diesel tractor line consisting of the RD-6, RD-7 and RD-8. By then end of 1935 the RD-4 was added and the new tractors had replaced the old models as Caterpillar's main line of diesel tractors. In 1938 Caterpillar dropped the R from the model designations and introduced the D2.

IMG_8638 1938 Caterpillar RD4 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 1, 2009
1938 Caterpillar RD-4 on August 1, 2009

IMG_8634 1940 Caterpillar D2 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 1, 2009
1940 Caterpillar D2 on August 1, 2009

IMG_8650 1940 Caterpillar D2 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 1, 2009
1940 Caterpillar D2 on August 1, 2009

This 1940 Caterpillar D2 with rubber-pad treads was used at an ITT Rayonier Pulp and Paper Mill to pull rolls of paper around the mill on dollies, and its winch was used as a conveyor-belt puller. Earl Force of Oregon City bought it when the mill shut down.

IMG_8655 Army Caterpillar D8 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 1, 2009
U.S. Military Caterpillar D8 on August 1, 2009

This slide-bar Caterpillar D8 tractor with a Le Tourneau dozer and Hyster winch was used by the American forces under General MacArthur in the Pacific Theater during World War II. MacArthur's "island-hopping" strategy involved Navy Seabee construction battalions landing shortly after the Marines took an island, and using Caterpillar D8s to build airstrips for American bombers, plus bridges, roads, hospitals, warehouses, housing and anything else needed to support the military. This strategy allowed American bombers to get within striking range of the Japanese islands and forcing Japan's eventual surrender.

IMG_8578 Army Caterpillar D4 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 1, 2009
U.S. Army Caterpillar D4 on August 1, 2009

This Caterpillar D4 tractor was used by the United States Army.

IMG_8616 Caterpillar D17000 Engine at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 1, 2009
Caterpillar D17000 Stationary Engine on August 1, 2009

The Caterpillar D17000 engine was the largest power plant produced by Caterpillar during World War II. It produced 180 to 190 horsepower depending on the application. This example was used by the United Stated Navy.

Continue to Postwar Caterpillars

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