Caterpillar D9G donkey start and unloading off a low loader

Caterpillar D9 G Unloading off a low loader. Check out our website www.bostonpowercat.com for more videos, pictures, forum and blog.

[@pietervaness3229]

Long be for I became a commercial ,and later a task vessel captain, I operated D 6 dozers in spring valley,and,suffering,n y back in 1966 ultimately graduating to the then new D8 h hydroxide ,finish grading the st.Thomas,virgin islands airport to accommodate the new 727 pax aircraft . I started flying when I could not get in the operating engineers union . Those caterpillar days were a w/o fearfully time in my life .thank you caterpillar corp for such fine machines !

[@davbear3947]

Dad operated one of these, it was a hard life, vibration, snakes under your seat in morning attracted to heat, driving hours to your work place. He was a prospector, opening up coal mine seams, then cleaning up when the coal was gone.

[@jofus3604]

Nice............. My Dad was a contractor in the early 50's in Kentucky winters, an old D7, pony motor, rope start, he would rap the rope on, look at me, when he said go I would squirt starter fluid in the pony motor and he would jump off the track, it started after a few tries, we would sit near the fire to stay warm for the pony motor to do it's warm it up., precocious memories... This was before 1st grade! Thanks.....

[@toke7560]

Happy days, i was a mechanic/fitter back in the 70s for a cat dealer.

[@SternDrive]

I drove a D9 once when I was about 14 years old. Scared the heck out of me. That is one beast !

[@garybulwinkle82]

I drove a D7G when I was 14. My folks were building their house and the guy was digging out for the pool, and I was riding around on my little dune buggy; he says, "I'll let you drive this if I can drive that"! I did three or four scoops with him on helping then he let me do a couple by myself!!

[@FarewellChorus]

I used to volunteer at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, CA, and we had one of these. I never worked on it--I was a steam guy--but I remember seeing on show days they'd always find a tiny girl and have her drive it in the parade (with an operator next to her at all times, of course). I just loved the way the pippy pony engine would make way for the ka-chunk of the big diesel. Starting up a steam tractor is a comparatively quiet process, at least until we get to testing the safeties, or somebody starts an argument about which beer is the best.

[@terryswails1191]

Man do I remember those days, as a kid sitting on the heavy equipment with my Dad starting the caterpillar road graders and bulldozers , thanks for the memories.

[@pvillechick8526]

I grew up around big equipment...we had a D9 Cat...I remember watching my Grandad burn the mud off the tracks when I was little.

[@taherslimanou3783]

Le fameux D9G cat..avec le ripper Kelly

[@tellmesomething2go]

Back in 86, Grants Pass, old 38 stuck out in the woods. First job after diesel school. Pony would`t stay running. Spent two days in rain. No luck. Worked on pony carb whole day. Boss yelling. Wasting time. Finally got pony good. After many, many tries, finally got main running. Boss very, very quiet. Never yelled again.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Great story!! Yes the pony's can be a pain when they want to be that's for sure, the magnetos don't like the wet!!

[@tellmesomething2go]

Bostonpowercat K.

[@user-ue1mx9pj7v]

fcr6

[@tellmesomething2go]

竹田節子 ???

[@Bostonpowercat]

Not sure either!

[@rsnell22]

Daddy was a catskinner, I'm a 'lectrician. This is music to my ears.

[@williamkirkland7002]

That old CAT was puring like a kitten. Sounds good. Thanks for the posting

[@Bostonpowercat]

+William Kirkland ,glad you enjoyed it.Cheers.

[@williamkirkland7002]

Are you the owner of that dozer? I built engines for CAT in the 1980's now I walk with a walking stick like the gentleman in the video.heavy machinery is in my DNA.

[@melvynhagan656]

What a sight..I operated a 9g over 40 years ago it brought back many memories. Thanks for the memory.

[@dwightmagnuson4298]

The operator had to be as careful of grandpa as his job unloading the D9. Gramps just wanted to help...

[@erwinroman4217]

Great seeing it. When I was 17 I worked a summer in an army motor pool overseas. Got to assist the mechanic repairing a D9 along with other heavy equipment. That was in 1977.

[@taufortebc]

Brings back fond memories as a kid 10 years old, operation a D9, D8 and D6 at my folks material pit in East El Cajon CA. After school, my dad would have one of the drivers go and pick me up and bring me to the Pit. Operated everything, Dump Trucks, Loaders, conveyors, dozers. What a childhood. To this day I get a chance to jump on any equipment I do. Now I spend my time assessing the damage caused by the poor operation, operator error, fire cause & origin, any loss that happens to any type of equipment.

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Ted Aufort great to hear your memories of the old stuff ,that’s what really interests me other peoples experiences and memories of this old equipment . Many thanks👍

[@taufortebc]

@@Bostonpowercat That little 6 we had, had a gas-powered donkey engine that had a rope start. It was an old one but ran great, my first. This was back in 1969 and was a great 5 years. Other kids had Tonka, I skinned Cats.

[@19491Tommy]

I'm retired after over 40 years centered around construction, everything from military projects, commercial office complex, condos, and residential homes. I most say that this "off load" was unusual to say this least ! The "bottom line" is you got the dozier off with no damages, but the trailer took a licking .

[@rodgermorris8307]

I would have never unloaded off side! smh

[@НиколайТисленко-г5е]

Й

[@everettwilliams31]

Boy that brings back the memories from 60 years ago, My grandpa was a Sawyer had a sawmill all his live and everyone in the family raised their kids on that mill. I remember PAP every morning starting that big cat that ran the mill, that thing would blow smoke rings when it fired off all us cousins would watch in childhood bliss. Boy those was were the days, thanks for bring back all those wonderful memories of a time long ago but as fresh today as if it were yesterday, boy has the COUNTRY CHANGED FOR THE WORSE in those short years.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Glad you liked the video, thanks for taking the time to post a comment, talking of smoke rings have a look at our Caterpillar 830M video, that blows some smoke rings on start up!! Cheers 👍

[@jdjsjndjsjjs641]

1

[@bret_Lambky]

It was like watching a prehistoric dinosaur walk back into the woods! Slow and steady, knowing he owns the woods and not afraid of anything!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

EXACTLY !

[@DS-mm6fh]

Afraid of nothing but a track rolling off to the inside on a steep grade but the tracks looked decent on that ole boy so he should be able to walk pretty proudly I would think

[@dilligafdude9434]

10/10 placement on that caution light behind the fairing on the semi.

[@percyfaith11]

So it's visible from the rear as it should be.

[@hasturhasturhastur]

Ah, loved that! The sound takes me back to starting our D8 14A. The main was a dream but that pony motor was always a PITA to start until we got the magneto sorted out (many years later). Thanks for taking the time to record and share, so much stuff I took for granted and never took pictures or anything.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Glad you enjoyed 👍 check out our other videos, we have a couple more with pony starting D8's to look at :-)

[@berniemarcellus9596]

Bostonpowercat yes enjoyed youyr site,my first sales call in new england, my dealer hedge and matheis, was to a house weher they had 2 crawlwer drills, and a nothwest 80 d backhoe to dig a swimming pool, i learned abuot ledge right off.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Glad you enjoyed the site, more stuff coming to it soon!! If you have an article or a story you want us to do a blog post on then just send us an email :-)

[@Cap6302]

The 14A was good old Cat with the first in-seat starting. Quite an improvement!

[@jackkreighbaum783]

Many, many years ago I lived next door to a Cat Diesel mechanic and I remembered him starting a large dozeer (unknown model, but large). He used an electric starter to start a donkey engine which turned over the main engine. Fascinating.

[@jimmychandler5748]

I push pans with one of these building I-40 @ Mocksville NC

[@johnsmith-oh2xo]

donkey engine you mean pony motor....

[@jakemurphy9536]

​@@johnsmith-oh2xodepends where in the world you are. UK it's Donkey engine.

[@kimber841]

I have a John Deere 400 garden tractor and I feel like, what that guy looks like, when I drive my little tractor! LMAO!

[@halimalioua7842]

film..mix

[@paulkearney1852]

I was speechless, a D9! Fantastic.. Greetings from Donegal

[@Sny734]

After reading through many, many post. Piecing it all together you guys got it pretty much right. But first big mistake was he didn't use the compression release at all. That's the lever on the dash support by his right foot. You can see the control rod going to the head. 1st You turn the lever with your hand to release the compression before you do anything else. Next I didn't see him look at the oil pressure gauge at all. Sometimes it takes 30sec to a min to get the pressure up. After engaging the pony motor clutch and the oil pressure comes up then you kick the compression release with your foot to engage it followed by adding fuel if it's not to cold. As far as the trailer goes I looked at the video over and over and can't see where any damage was done to the wood at all or the trailer. If you look you can see they put plywood down before they loaded the Cat. Even after the plywood got tore up during the 90 degree turn it looks like it survived well enough to keep the grousers clear of deck. Detaching the goose neck put the front of the trailer on the ground making it more stable reducing any twist on the frame. If you look at the video you can see it looks like he may have dumped the air on the rear axles as there was very little twist or movement as the Cat point loaded the side of the trailer. I think I would have blocked under the frame to the ground in a few places and a few more for the ramp but it looks like it fared very well. Now then for all you pretty boys that wax their trailers you need to look up some videos of cross country pipeline moves on the back roads of Pennsylvania. Most of the moves are side loaded for speed and efficiency. I've even seen two side booms loaded side by side with one boom down toward the front and one toward the back. Yes it wasn't legal but that's the way it was done. They make square turns on back roads at a T intersection that I could take all your money that it couldn't be done. Road drivers. Ha!

[@avelinogaldino483]

Rambocomandoparamata

[@avelinogaldino483]

Rambooresgatep

[@lampomarianne1145]

,M,.

[@rixplace1792]

what a treat to find this channel.I loved those monster yellow giants. My pop and an uncle bought an army surplus cat dozer in "46.Their idea was to dig cellers in WNY state, tiny town south of BFLO.Mty older bro, a cousin and I had the job to paint it yellow,sort of yellow.I was 10 they were 14, what a summer we had.They had figured how to start the monster altho we were were told ,on pain of decapitation,to never start if unless an older cousin was with us,Who follows directions????WE had turned my grandfathers acreage into our 40 acre playground, after watching pop and uncle digging a few cellars we figured nuthing to it so we dug a pond one day.WE were grounded for a few days but by time my bro and cousin were 16 they were digging cellars and ponds for 25$, and I dug my first cellar at 14.I both stammered and had dyslexia but by time I was 16 both had receeded 90% and my DR and parents were convinced that yellow dragon as I called it was responsible,everytime I pass a yello dozer I give it a smart,sharp military salute, and say Thanks good Buddy

[@iandaniel2153]

Great good news story ... thanks.

[@theinquisitor3930]

You know it's serious when retired Gandalf shows up to guide you off the trailer

[@johncross8834]

He was a young man when they started to unload the D9

[@jasonboness3871]

"you shall not pass.... F that thing is big, nm"

[@skeeterskeeter1209]

@@jasonboness3871 00t?0

[@skeeterskeeter1209]

@@johncross8834l

[@remlaiharun479]

@@johncross8834 $

[@arthurdunn1452]

What a sound!!Australia 🇦🇺

[@sterlingwilkey2124]

I love all your old iron. It reminds me of my Grandfather he started running iron when cable cat was new technology. Thank you

[@Bostonpowercat]

@sterling wilkey ,glad you enjoy the old Cats ,just enjoy playing around with them ,hope to get sum new vids up soon.Cheers

[@42micks42]

Awesome. I drove a D9 in my school holidays many years ago top video chaps. Mick in UK (England)

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Michael Kemp,Thanks ,we are also in the uk,if ever you down in sunny Wales give us a shout ,that old girl is now the rear tractor on the DD9/Quad trac👍

[@mikebrown614]

Loved seeing the Old-Timer giving ground-support as the cat was unloading. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a gent who was the father of the man I hired to do some dozer work on my property. As we spoke, he allowed that he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and had been part of the force that built The Burma Road, between Burma and China- one of the most remarkable feats of engineering in WWII. Men far more industrious and capable than us have preceded us. We'd be wise to take their counsel and learn from experience, often bitterly received....................

[@Bostonpowercat]

Mike Brown Thanks for your comment, your right you can't buy experience!!

[@michaelmayo6497]

Mike Brown

[@harleyharley-dt5ci]

Mike Brown my Dad flew C46s in WW2 Flying the Hump in support of those guys in China , Burma , India Theaters for example he hauled fuel parts supplies & personnel for the road construction among many other things they lost many Brave Men on those Runs my Dads plane was shot thru belly & my Dad was struck in the Butt & back was not sent home fixed up & flying his next run that's how Tuff they were back then GOD BLESS ARE VETS !!

[@timothymcdonald6913]

Pony, Donkey, Pup it does not matter. These big land movers had a small starter engine to get the big mover going. Absolutely big units with an innovative way of getting their push on! Very interesting.!

[@BruceWhitham]

That's the way we loaded and unloaded our D8 13 A in the 60"s Crank handle to start the donkey engine, and clutch and gear engagement on 1/2 compression open and then throw the compression lever in. chug a lug and away we go! Always side loaded on 2 twenty inch square hardwood blocks, and rock her down. unless we were traveling with the scraper then it was rear trailer load and unload. Thanks for the video.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Bruce Whitham Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the comment 👍 nice to see we aren't the only ones who have unloaded a machine off the side, reading some of the comments on here it's a shooting offence for unloading off the side!!

[@tedprzewoznik6748]

Bruce Whitham a

[@tombrown988]

Bruce Whitham 8

[@mebcool]

Bostonpowercat, I've driven tractor trailer for many years. I always wanted to break into the heavy-haul world. I have hauled mining equipment as heavy as 90,000 lbs. As a driver who is concerned about his equipment, and the cost of repairs, I find it difficult to understand why he off-loaded from the side. Ya, I've see a lot of Yahoo's willing to do anything to get their tractor loaded or unloaded, but when it's my rig and I'm footing the bill for the cost of repairs and replacement it's going to be done my way or else. Not trying to be a jerk here. But I have seen some really stupid crap over the years. I am always willing to learn too, which is what I'm trying to do now.

[@andrewclarke1328]

@@mebcool Maybe to not damage the roadway?

[@Rat-Builder]

A D 9 G is a good old tractor. It will run for ever. The RPMs are low, and the horse power is reasonable. The D9H is another story. They upped the RPMs and increased the horse power. The H engine will run for 7,000 hr (more or less) then it will need to be overhauled, and most likely need to have the block cut for a spacer under the liner. That is a 1 or 2 time deal, then you will need to cut the block into the water jacket and install a Z insert. After that, you throw the block away and start new. The D9G will just keep on chugging. They also have a magnetic oil strainer on the inlet side of the transmission oil cooler plus another one before the transmission pump. The H has only the one in front of the pump. If you loose a power train component, you will also have to change the cooler, every time.

[@EcouragingGodStories]

Man those D9's are HUGE!

[@lowtech5530]

I notice just how much respect the oncoming traffic gave these people at the start of this video. None.

[@johndanz9478]

That old timer with the cane is re living some memories for sure i bet he could run it better than anyone involved with this video

[@zuzudoggie8288]

oh yeah

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

Great video, love the old flat track D9s, very powerful machines in their day.

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

Man, that thing is a beast. Clanking and chugging and rumbling along. Thank you for the great video

[@Bostonpowercat]

Ima Tumor No problems, glad you enjoyed and thanks for the comment 👍 check out some of our other videos if you liked this one, some other big old stuff in action

[@jangerrits2551]

@@Bostonpowercat g.

[@Nicolas-ki3dl]

What a beast.

[@houstonrailfanTX]

I've always been a train guy but I really do like these older cats especially ones made in between the 40's and late 60's

[@Bostonpowercat]

Glad to see you have seen the light and have come over to the world of Cats!! :-) It's great to have you on board 👍 They are great machines and have some real character, and that's what we are mainly interested in, from the 40's to the late 60's, have a look at our other videos, they are with machines from that era.

[@Hammer547]

Remember my father back in the late fifties had a D9 when he had his bulldozer business. He could sure work that machine .

[@ronniemctaggart8722]

I've pushed scrapers with an old 9g with a peterson blade pony motor start if the pony motor cranked that beast was cranking and they were stout I often said they would push the empire state building through the gates of hell and never slow down

[@Stander_97]

That’s so fascinating, wish I would’ve been around in times to see that

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Growing up, my best friend's dad had a CAT D9 at his ranch. He used it for Sunday drives around the ranch. Just for fun! Those were the days!

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Michael Sullivan,that’s the way,same as I use mine for,have a bit of fun then put em away ,they don’t cost nothin then😂,leave the expensive running costs for the Big Boys😂👍

[@johnharsomchuck2608]

Brings back memories with my dad putting .me in the seat in the coal fields of pa. We called the starters piney morters

[@harryevans7390]

You sure they wasn't called poney motors

[@lewiemcneely9143]

There goes the cucumber kitty again! Sweet old 9. Needs a cushion rock blade to keep the boredom away. I wouldn't mind shoving a pan or two, bored or not! Good One!

[@Bostonpowercat]

Lol, yeah no hydraulics on this one, just used as a pusher. Having a fleet of scrapes flying in waiting to get pushed and loaded would keep the boredom away!!

[@UnitCrane514]

I love the old pony engine Cats! My favorite is the D318 cat! 2 stroke GMs are a great sounding too. I also like the old International diesel that would fire on gas to get warmed up, then switch to diesel. These took a ton of engineering to invent. I hope these machines survive forever and avoid the scrap boat ride to China, that is ALWAYS a shame. Take care bud! ☺️😎

[@Bostonpowercat]

UnitCrane514 Your can't fault the pony engined Cats! The D318 is a good engine, but our favourite has to be the D17000!! Other manufactures have some great stuff, but we are mainly about Cat! Don't worry these won't be getting weighed in for scrap anytime soon and they should last forever, they certainly are built for it :-) Cheers

[@gabrielgunther3920]

Bostonpowercat on, ,

[@Bostonpowercat]

+Gabriel Gunther Not quite sure what you mean?

[@donreimer6705]

UnitCrane514 was

[@Bostonpowercat]

+Don Reimer Sorry I don't understand??

[@bufordmcnairy8175]

It's nice to see Santa has other hobbies and interest.. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Lol awesome, but even Santa has to move with the times, he uses the D9 to move the presents around in the summer while the reindeer are resting up!!! Glad you enjoyed, cheers 👍

[@bufordmcnairy8175]

Hahaha, Yes i agree. Thank's for sharing.

[@neilreid9005]

Very cool vid, thanks for posting. Loved hearing that diesel slowly come to life. Beautiful sound. Well done- clearly you guys know what you're doing. Stay safe, keep the dirt moving.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Thank you for such a nice comment, it's comments like this that make all the hard and free work that goes into making the videos worth while.Cheers

[@ЮрийНефёдов-ь6ш]

@@Bostonpowercat непонятно для чего нужны два трухлявых " дирижёра ", без них съехать с трала было нельзя?

[@curtburrows3024]

I have a blade that would fit that machine

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@ЮрийНефёдов-ь6ш both of them were giving different directions 😆, yes I saw that as well. Oh well, he let the old guy think he was helping.

[@darinwilson8663]

​@@curtburrows3024 I need one for a d9g.....do you still have it?

[@davidschick6951]

My dad operated for nearly 40 years. I wish I could do it but I know better than to try. I'm going to miss him.

[@fredbentley4944]

I love watching those old D9s and someone who really knows how to jockey one !

[@dingoboy1725]

I operated one of those back in the 80s pushing cat 631 scrapers huge job in Atlanta we had 3 D9 dozers one D8k and 12 631 scrapers and 16G motor grader we moved 1 million yards of dirt for waste management’s new landfill on Moreland ave the first cell was soposed to last 30 years now it’s closed completely full and caped in half it’s life unbelievable how much trash is generated in the city of Atlanta and that was one of a lot of landfills in the area

[@davelee5976]

I remember in 1984 there were still D9G Pushcats in operation in Southern California

[@Bostonpowercat]

Thats awesome, you don't see so many these days doing a days work now unfortunately , still a great machine, but technology moves on I guess!! Cheers 👍

[@grantmx4742]

I ran them in Southern California. There one strong dozer and easy to operate. Mine had a hydraulic tilt blade and good ripper on back. Loved it, but of course a new D10 with AC cab is also nice. I did a lot of rock jobs with it. It pulled out boulders and pushed them larger than the dozer, took some work but the dozer never broke.

[@johnkorhonen40]

In Georgia a company I worked for still uses D9 push tractors. Old girl runs like a top

[@kirbymorris2253]

I started working for caterpillar dealers when I got out of the army in ‘78. The old D8’s and D9’s all had the pony motors. Some even had a rope to start it. Had a compression release to get the engine turning and were all direct drive with a clutch lever. The good old days.

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Kirby Morris ,yes they are great Cats from that era certainly built to last,would like to get hold of a direct drive D9 18a one day.Cheers.

[@LYEARTHMOVERS]

I dont know why i came back to see this video for the 3rd time. Its really fascinating

[@Bostonpowercat]

Always welcome to watch a forth 👍👍

[@williamcrawford805]

I learned to use a dozer on a Euclid C6 with a rope lifted blade. Very noisy GM 6 cyl when you take your foot off and call up full power but a wonderful machine. I.was 19 then

[@garethifan1034]

Nice combination all in all - a King Low loader pulled by a Scania, carrying a Cat tractor. Not a sight you see every day. Love watching these as they're the only place to find this equipment these days. Love it!

[@Bostonpowercat]

Thanks very much, glad you are enjoying the videos, make sure subscribe to keep up with the latest releases!! Cheers 👍

[@rogertycholiz2218]

Gareth - This is one great combination --- King Low Loader, The Big Cat and a European Scania.

[@williamsimmons152]

Operated some highly modified D9’s in Greenland in 67. Stretched frames, 55 inch wide track pads, some had 600 gallon nose tank, 300 gallon belly tank, and a 150 in the rear. Others had 14 foot wide blades.. dragged some very, very heavy and long loads over the ice cap. YT search Camp Century to get a view of some of them at work.

[@arthurwagar6224]

Will do. Thanks.

[@williamsimmons152]

Geo Thomas we didn’t have any roads

[@Military-Museum-LP]

I never get tired of looking at this video. I wish you still made them. All the best.

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Military Museum👍

[@gman4937]

That machine's blade comes on a second truck...and it's balls on a third truck! 😁 Great vid, thanks

[@Bostonpowercat]

+Gman49 ,Cheers glad you enjoyed👍

[@toddr.4630]

Oh boy 😝,,, I likey D9,, that's about where dozers start getting ,,,,, you know BIG ✌️

[@grantw.whitwam9948]

I've never seen that kind of trailer unhooked before. They always have a load or empty, learned something new, thanks.

[@Bostonpowercat]

As they say you are never to old to learn!! Glad the video was of interest. Thanks

[@protectoroffaith]

Lowboy trailer. They are awesome

[@that_boyzac4908]

RGN...removable goose neck...

[@aussieboi82]

What a beaut beast of a Cat D9G. A sensational video

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Dave Hark,Thankyou ,the tractor is now part of our Quad9/DD9 set.Cheers.

[@sitatan]

A good video. I enjoyed CAT. Thank you from Japan.

[@davidbagley1783]

Hajimemashite dozo yoro shiku ..

[@dzlf2504]

That's how my grandfather unloaded his d8 but his trailer was long never had to unhook. Great machine.

[@warrenwilson4818]

Thanks a lot! Never saw a "low loader. I grew up around a D2. We called the "donkey start" a "pony motor," which had a rope starter. What a sight and sound of this beast getting going. It reminds me of the B-29 (et. al.) rotary engines starting up on the tarmac.

[@rogertycholiz2218]

Warren - We in The Great White North (Canada) call these starter motors pony motors.

[@magnificentmuttley154]

My uncle Hubert & his two sons (my cousins) were all involved in hi-line construction. That's high voltage power lines. Hubert came into that business by 1960, & both his sons came in by 1980. I was 10 years old in 1981 when he let me try out his 1952 Model D9. Showed us how to start the pony (what in the blazes is a "donkey start" 😂) & then the giant inline-six. He & my dad were best friends & in-laws, so Dad would occasionally come out to the worksite with me to watch Hubert (or Dean, Hubert's oldest) erect hi-line towers. Out on the open prairie with nothing around, of course there was little chance of me harming anything with the dozer. Off & on until I was 13 he let me & Dad fool with it... Hand clutch, hand throttle, & 8 maybe 10 forward gears if I remember right

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Mad Mike great story thanks,that would have been an old 18a D9,being manual /hand clutch would have liked one of those,she would have been fairly new when you played on it as they didn’t come out until 1955.👍

[@BIGKIDSSANDBOX]

Real old school Caterpillar, build like a tank,I love it.

[@theluth9046]

They where a real work horse in its day! Well still are! Remember them well! Thanks for sharing!

[@robertkinholt621]

The Ole Pony Motor, brings back memories, I ran several different one's, 112 cat blade, nice seeing that again,

[@edwardjonez6615]

That gents old felt hat has a few miles on it..Nice video, Thanks.

[@Bostonpowercat]

The old hat has a good few thousand miles under its belt, the walking stick has done pretty good to :-) Cheers

[@richardc7721]

i was a field service mechanic and we called that a pony motor. 2 cylinder gas engine turns over the Cats diesel engine so you can fire it off.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Richard C In the U.K we call it a donkey engine and it runs on petrol not gas, gas to us is a vapour not a liquid, but these are just some of the difference in the American/English language

[@richardc7721]

Yes my ex is from Liverpool. Know the difference. Spanner / wrench Bonnet, hood, windscreen,windshield. Her father was from Wales, I never could understand him.

[@Bostonpowercat]

+Richard C Ahh that's where the confusion has come from, we are based in Wales, that's why you didn't understand what we were on about. Cheers 👍

[@richardc7721]

That would do it.

[@Wlechija]

I'm English,and we always called them donkey engines. Maybe we had more donkeys than ponies?

[@LifeInMontana]

What a kick! Love the sound of her! Good job filming. And thanks for sharing!

[@andrewperez5550]

When your engine is such a beast that it takes a starter to start the engine that starts your engine.

[@zuzudoggie8288]

Actually common on older machines. I had a 50 hp International D8 that had the same set up. A very cool machine. (until I ran over a nasty wasp hive one day)

[@patrickcamp5885]

Jet aircraft still use this method for large engines. Electric starter/generators are typically found on small ones though

[@Shane-Singleton]

I'll bet that's as close as you'll get to the sound of a WWII tank without having an actual tank. Wonderful old piece of equipment. Bet she can still put in the work too!

[@tenpiloto]

9G first produced in 1961 and came with these gasoline-powered "pony motor" starters until late 60s. This was a push cat used to push scrapers loading dirt.

[@lesteraizlewood8457]

I drove a D9G for a while and just loved how it rattled and shook when started on a cold frosty morning.

[@davesstuff1599]

Power, power and gobs of power. Love it.

[@erniea4424]

The sound of that pony sure takes me back...

[@rubenbraekman4515]

That guy looks tiny on top of that thing 😂 amazing!

[@tuberman7371]

They were one of the largest dozers of their time and still command a lot of respect these days.

[@JonDingle]

That machine needs a channel of it's own. What a great beast!

[@Bostonpowercat]

@DingleZilla,Cheers 👍👍👌

[@jffrocks]

When it goes off into the woods it reminds me of a tank in WWII

[@user-lu9wz1fg7g]

ล

[@tommyrottn]

I'm glad you guys are in Boston - and not any where near me. This is just sad, and the fact that you are proud of it, makes it even sadder. :(

[@Bostonpowercat]

Tommy Rottn Great observational skills, what makes you say we are in Boston? I take it you mean Boston USA? If you notice the traffic is on the wrong side of the road for the USA!! What is sad about the video if you don't mind me asking??

[@tommyrottn]

I was mainly concerned with the side unload and tearing up the trailer decking. Highly unsafe.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Tommy Rottn Thanks for your reply, the trailer was fine, admittedly it's not ideal coming off the side, but we didn't want to take it off the back into oncoming traffic and cause an accident. Also we didn't want to chew the road up or break any kerb stones and then have to pay to get them replaced. We were also on a tight time schedule so after weighing up our options this was the way we decided to go. Cheers 👍

[@tommyrottn]

Tearing up the road and the kerb are good points I hadn't thought of. Be safe and cheers.

[@Bostonpowercat]

+Tommy Rottn no problems at all Thanks for taking the time to comment 👍

[@neebpeter2308]

What a Monster ! Grettings from Germany

[@ClassXIRoads]

Loaded and unloaded all the time over the side of an old Hamilton lowboy, pulled with a Diamond T with a 220 Cummings in it, you didn't miss much scenery. Tractors had root plow on the back and a stacker or dozer on the front, both A IH TD25 and D82U the 25 would just barely fit and you had to turn it just at the right moment

[@Bostonpowercat]

+James Hurlbut ahh someone else with some sense, but don't tell people you unloaded off the side of the lowboy, they will be out to linch you!! So many people commenting about how it's wrong to come off the side, it's not ideal, but in this situation it was the best option. Great to hear from someone who used to be around the old stuff, what were you doing with the 2U? You still involved in the plant world? Cheers

[@andresciprian6842]

James Hurlbut música

[@andresciprian6842]

música

[@northwexpress]

James Hurlbut, Lot of great comments in a short paragraph here! "Don't miss much scenery with a 220 in front and TD25 in back" 4 sure, :-)

[@b1a-finorasheedlancel.172]

James Hurlbut caterpilla ,d342

[@robertnymand9889]

It sounds good! What I was told they could blade through 2ft of frost easy.

[@myopinioncountsmost2419]

Guess we don't want to tear up the road, but looks tough on the trailer. Fantastic dozer!

[@Bostonpowercat]

@@myopinioncountsmost2419 Thankyou ,you are one of the few that has made a decent comment regarding comming off the side ,touch that main road here in uk and the damage would bankrupt you with our council!. Cheers.👍

[@myopinioncountsmost2419]

​I'm retired now but owned a bunch of Cat equipment; nothing that big but nice gear. The older, the better my friend! The new stuff, like autos and everything, is over complicated and likes to break. Your D9 will last forever. Best wishes, hope you can get good employees; can't in the US anymore. Regards.

[@AlaskaDanger-jf6ti]

That dozer came with a cushion block instead of straight or U blade. For pushing scrapers. This machine was same as one I ran on Trans Alaska Pipeline on Gobblers Knob. This unit would have a strong final drives as there was no ripper on it.

[@Bostonpowercat]

@@AlaskaDanger-jf6ti you are spot on mate ,that’s why we got her no hydraulics no rippers !, they destroy tractors! in wrong hands.That old D9 is now the rear tractor on our Quad 9 👍

[@williamwilson4974]

The old man is prime example of what u look like after u operate one for 50 years.try a td 20 .that is a machine..

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I do and it was. UD start.

[@leestewart3690]

the fella running the machine looked so comfy, it was a walk in the park to him he totally owned that situation!!

[@user-ff1xb6ic8y]

John Cocktosen ص

[@TheSagerider]

I can pretty much guarantee you ain’t sneaking up on nobody ridding on that monster. :)

[@larryschweitzer4904]

My Dad bought a new one in the 60's. Cushion pusher blade. I would run it when the operator failed to show on time. Didn't like pushing scrapers. We had two D8s and a TD25 for dozing.

[@carryclass6807]

id like to have a beer or a coffee with the guy with the stick, i guarantee you a guy with a stick and tape measure suspenders would have some interesting stuff to say, i just know it.

[@toddepperson7465]

You'd flip if he gave you pointers on 💘

[@henrycomputer1403]

Agree. I was thinking that too

[@ringandpinion3064]

In the cold country, you could use the pony motor to warm the engine some, it uses the same motor oil and coolant systems, at least the old D7 I worked with at a mine in Alaska did. But I was a lot younger then and I don't have a pony motor to get me warmed up and started so I left the cold country.

[@lowellmorse6723]

She IS A BEAUTY! The ole pony motor trick!

[@Wedget]

Bloody beautiful 9ld machines.

[@radioace318la]

Never heard the term "donkey start" before. Now I understand. What happens when the starter motor won't start? lol Looks like a lumbering giant from yesteryear for sure. Cheers from Louisiana.

[@tooez90]

I always knew them as pony motors

[@thomascatford2627]

Donkey engines here in the UK

[@treerobo6864]

I ran a D-9 back in the 70s pushing pans in the bar pit, it was a dang man too

[@TheMonolake]

My god.this is so beautiful .i have tears in my eyes

[@Bostonpowercat]

@Monolake👌👍

[@pnwdad1261]

Wish the video didn't end at the best part, it's really cool to see these big old dozers crawl around especially down trails like that. Awesome CAT though 👍

[@Bostonpowercat]

@PNW Dad ,Thanks ,that old Cat is now the rear tractor on our Cat DD9/Quad9,a pretty rare bit of kit now!.Cheers.

[@stevebogard3833]

Never heard it called a "donkey" motor. Have always beard it referred to as "pony" motor. Whichever, those old Cats, once they got started, they could idle all day and use hardly any fuel. Crazy, now with all the EPA stuff, DEF & regen, they use more fuel. While the D11 is a big machine, those old design 9's just look and are massive.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Ahh Yes, I see Dear Old Dad with the stick. I bet he is a captain and a half and has more tales to tell in 15 minutes than a body could listen to in 6 months! I still like the old pony motors. You just couldn't get in a rush. Everything has it's own speed.

[@Bostonpowercat]

There's something romantic about the whole pony start up procedure!! It's a bit like grinding and brewing your own fresh coffee rather than grabbing a jar, something rewarding and satisfying about it all.

[@Bostonpowercat]

Ahh yes dad certainly has a story or two to tell !! Something along the lines of "talking a leg off a cast iron pot" !!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Not everyone knew the in's and out's of the pony motor deal anyway or they wouldn't be standing there with a can of quick start. Yes, done right it was a most happy experience, just like letting it warm up, raising the blade after mashing the decellerator and pulling the hand throttle back, putting it in 2nd notch,THEN popping your foot off the decellerator, listening to the turbo spool up and the engine snort and watching the black smoke raise the exhaust flapper up. That was worth it all to me. Another day had officially begun!

[@peacefulwarrior4078]

The main diesel engine is so big it takes a 2 cylinder engine (pony motor) just to get it to fire up and run !! This videos audio doesn't even begin to tell just how loud that little pony motor is !!! First time I heard one fire up I was like WTF HOLY SHIT LOL

[@michaellake2359]

When I was a kid in the early 60s I lived a half mile away from a rock quarry. I can still hear the pony firing up the crane.