Fixing a broken clutch on a Cat D4 7U Bulldozer

My friend's Caterpillar D4 dozer main clutch started slipping recently, it was unable to climb a slope or pull a load. We tried adjusting it but something didn't feel right so we stripped it down and found the problem.
Check out Pacific Northwest hillbilly's restoration of a similar d4 dozer - • Caterpillar D4-7U Rebuild
My other channel (Angry Ram) - • What happens when you ...

[@donnaml8776]

I just wanted to say that I truly appreciate how you speak to others. Even if you know a better way you’re respectful and cool headed. It can be difficult to work with others for both people. Here you were both patient and respectful and got a lot of work accomplished. Great job in more than one way. Thanks for sharing. Teaching more than just fixing great machinery.

[@kas5857]

Definitely agree. No swearing either which is amazing

[@donnaml8776]

@@kas5857 yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

[@ApprenticeGM]

@@kas5857 You missed the f-bomb from Marty's mate then obviously :D

[@ApprenticeGM]

I agree with how good Marty is when teaching and helping others, he's very gentle and respectful in explaining / training. His mate learnt a lot obviously.

[@SuperSpatman]

15:30 "That's not gonna seep down into there is it?" Friend gets spray "into there." Marty says nothing.... Only an $1100 fibre disc potentially contaminated.

[@ellistrautman6199]

I spent quite a few years as a Cat mechanic & did several of this same job, on my own. It was interesting watching you guys, the only comment is that when screwing the overcentre locking part on, you should have screwed it down more to engage the clutch lightly. Makes it easier to adjust finally in situ. Brought back fond memories, as gut busting it was. Adjust to reasonable tension. Great job.

[@patlilburn5251]

That answers my question, could one person even do this job - wow!

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

I could pull up a chair and watch all day. I love the New Zealand accent so much. You're both awesome mechanics. And I know because I've been a mechanic for 35 years. Love your content.

[@kymberlypray6985]

Santa came early for fans of Marty T. Thoroughly enjoyed that one. You gents are having too much fun. At the end, when he starts it up, the subtitles say [Applause]. *Mele Kalikimaka, y’all.*

[@eyesup1433]

that cresent was big , a fine tool for those small jobs . It's always good to watch and listen , nice to have a Kiwi channel with the can do attitude .

[@whotknots]

Marty on the off chance you do not already know, a US organization called Antique Caterpillar Owners Club exists which is an invaluable resource for owners of older Caterpillar machinery for which parts and technical information and helpful suggestions are increasingly difficult to obtain. I am a member of an Australian chapter No 30 which provides interesting video clips and information via an electronic newsletter as well as useful advice and assistance with obtaining parts etc.

[@MartyT]

That's good to know thanks

[@greenleaf2233]

On ebay I found a 6Y7161 cat d4 master clutch for $110 and another one for $190. These sellers must be dumping old stuff or they have no clue what they have....USD by the way. One seller in Michigan, USA. New ones, too. Soooo glad I found your channel!! I watch LARGE lumber being sawn on a 10ft band saw, all the way down to cutting large fish and kitchen cooking videos and different ways people live their life.

[@greenleaf2233]

@@flat-earther why ask me? seek a medium.

[@paul_k_7351]

You both have an incredible feel & intuitive knowledge for mechanical machines that’s intoxicating to watch. If only you could run some training courses to teach others who are keen, I’d be there in a jiffy 😀

[@roblange1445]

Makes u wonder wot the future holds doesn’t it

[@djcishere]

Mate, exactly what you say!, sometimes I feel all I need is the smell of diesel, some oil from last weeks oil change and a dog or ram to pat and he has me right there... wonder if they have a candle for that? ;D

[@ian-c.01]

You made that look very easy between you ! It was so good to see two competent guys working together to identify and rectify issues even though neither of them had done this job before ! I'm sure there must have been times when you just stood there trying to work out the next step but that didn't come through on camera and it looked like a seamless flow of working through the problems until you found the solution then dealing with it ! Nicely done. 👍

[@ApprenticeGM]

I was thinking how lucky Marty's mate was to have someone competent working in it - constant little things like Marty suggesting how something went / should go and his mate agreeing, sounds like his mate didn't know how to drive it properly re the clutch in (whether in gear or not), and his mate sure didn't look after it eg the mess blocking radiator airflow, the sludge build-up in the oil filters etc.

[@ericjohnson6802]

Early 7us did not have the clutch access tyranny section..had to split the tractor. Also yes oil can drain from engine to clutch housing unless it has a seal fitted to rear of fly wheel.. a later Cat mod to prevent seized engines from steep slope work. Next gen had oil clutch...much better lasting. Well done.

[@davidbowen60]

I have absolutely no idea what theses lads are doing but it’s a bloke thing watching these lads doing there thing ,love it my wife just doesn’t get it when I watch this sort of thing🇬🇧 well done lads from the mother land

[@eugeneclarke5572]

Thank you, Marty, for the memories. This time of year, you think of your loved ones who have passed My father had a D4. My brother used to drive it and he had some stories. We upgraded to the D4c , which is the one I remember. It had a stater. I can just about remember the mechanics saying the decade of the rosary, multiple prayers and sometimes in a foreign language while working on these machines. We also had a 10RB and a 22RB dragline. Marty, thanks again. Can't wait to see what else you drag up from my memories. Wishing you and yours the very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year . Thanks again from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@beakittelscherz5419]

Carpenter girl for 30 years now. I wrench a bit on my mopeds and restoring an old Mobylette Mofa .and except for that and some woodmachinery I am not familiar with these heavy metal wrenching... So most of the time i am clueless what you are doing😅. I very much like your thoughtprocess to get stuff done. I like watching all of this.🤘👍👍👍

[@timcope3115]

Your big adjustment was the release bearing off that plate. Where you screwed that yoke with the fingers down. Caterpillar has a value you should have adjusted it to then it would have just been a matter of hooking your linkages up. That is a very nice running old machine.

[@_bodgie]

A very interesting clutch job, never seen one of these before. I still love the retro look of the old JCB digger.

[@prodkey]

Bravo! We had a D4 similar to yours. A great work horse. A big tip for you: on those machines when you idle it in one spot for a time always… always put it in neutral and pull/engage the hand clutch. If you don’t you put undo wear on the throw out bearing. Looks like some hard work ahead of you! Merry Xmas to you and yours.

[@ApprenticeGM]

Marty actually explained that to his mate in the video ("always put it in neutral and pull/engage the hand clutch"). @16:50 ish. News to his mate obviously.

[@terryl7874]

Excellent example of teamwork. Highly skilled mechanical knowledge is necessary for this kind of repair! Well done!

[@DanKoning777]

I only subscribed yesterday [2/14/23], and so far I like what I've seen/heard e.g. Fiat tractor, needed trailer repair(s)/upgrades, and now this. I was already aware of your mechanical abilities, it's why I subscribed, but I watching this video adds another dimension-the interaction with others. I enjoyed the light hearted talking/laughing, as well as the logic re: how you figured this out. Btw, *the lack of:* cussing/f-bombs, dirty jokes, *mocking* God, etc is greatly appreciated and keeps me subscribed. *Well done.*

[@mfc4591]

What you said is 100% correct, bulldozer repair is for young men (I always worked alone when I was young), all the old guys knew what to do without even looking at the book, which was my companion ! Happy Christmas to you and yours.

[@Poppi2006]

Thank you for the peek at an earth moving machine of my childhood (‘50s), when there were gears and clutches that made them go. Nowadays, just a powerful motor driving a hydraulic pump, but very effective. I really like your wrenching videos.

[@patlilburn5251]

Wow, that was a job - I wonder if it’s even possible for one person alone to do. Really fun to see a clutch like that when all you’ve ever seen is cars.

[@chrisbartrum3201]

It's a thing of beauty, like you dug into the heart of Nautilas and found the mechanism for perpetual motion.

[@jebsails2837]

At first I thought I was watching Pacific Northwest Hillbilly, who just completed a rebuild of a D4, sans donkey engine. Great job. Narragansett Bay

[@hansjansen7047]

I never suspected that there would be clearance to remove the clutch between the engine and trans. Saves dis assembling the whole machine ,I suppose.

[@ApprenticeGM]

Man your mate is lucky to have you helping him Marty! It's great you explained how the clutch should be operated so he can look after the old D4 better, and he clearly needs to maintain it better - that mess blocking the radiator is no good for engine temps, and that sludge in the oil filters shows servicing should be a lot more frequent lol.

[@elliottmanning]

Had no idea that a clutch could be replaced without separating the engine from the transmission!!!! Good Job!!!

[@ericjohnson6802]

Only on later versions.

[@sebastienricateau8474]

HI Marty, nice to see you again.

[@langdons2848]

great video thank you! I have a Cat 212 grader with the same motor (and presumably gear box) and I will probably have to do the clutch in it one day. This will be a real help. Also - whomever designed that JCB 6D excavator was clearly a Star Trek fan. Thing looks the Enterprise!

[@glennbrown1961]

You do know that cover will NEVER come off again! That much rtv would stop the Titanic from sinking....ha ha! I picked a 13 ton Hino truck with a 800kva generator mounted to it powered by a MWM V8 diesel up into the air trying to remove 4 foot by 18 inch cowling that had a 1 inch wide flange around it sealed with silicon. It was estimated the load on the crane was 28 ton. It had a HUGE fuel tank that was full. Good old Australian Telecom days! Nice old tractor that. Was driving one of them when I was 8 years old. Memories aye. Merry Christmas Everyone!

[@briananthony4044]

Wow, OSH will do you now if you did that drive at 8. They laid into a South Island company letting a 13yo drive their tractors as part of his work. Always the women that complain. A woman visiting saw him and complained.

[@MartyT]

Yeah he was heavy handed with the sealant, I usually just lay a continuous fine bead

[@glennbrown1961]

@Brian Anthony was out the bush in southern Tasmania late 60s. No one cared then. My old Dad wouldn't let us near chainsaws though. If we wanted to fall a tree we had to use an axe. Me and my brother cleared 2 acres by the time we were 11.

[@John-gj9db]

I’d say it’s not old mates first rodeo operating a dozer. Certainly tested the clutch. Good to see that D4 putting in some hard work.

[@sidecar147]

great job guys ...........from Nova Scotia ...Canada ............just want to say ...theres a little 2 bolt cover on the right side of the bell houseing......thats where the grease fitting is for the pilot brn is ..rotate the engine with the decompress lever in till the fitting comes around .and give it a few shots ..of ep........

[@rockeerockey6941]

Marty T, the humble man. Marty, I so enjoy your videos, your fortitude and humble ways are a testament to your strength.

[@ottoneidlinger4938]

Wow Marty! You remembered where every nut and bolt went after months of waiting on parts. Congrats!

[@davidcolesr.8628]

Good to see you Fella, Merry Christmas to You and The Family

[@bellofbelmont]

Thanks and Merry Christmas. I love the way they're actually built to be worked on. as opposed to say a Ford Escort or a Mini..... 🙂Jim Bell (Australia)

[@lonhoschar1943]

Nice job guys!! I love seeing these old machines running again!! I actually ran a D-4 for a day while working on a lake development. Had to use it to back drag an earthen damn to knock down some weeds on the back side. The one I ran didn't have any brakes so the blade was the only way to slow it down... that was a bit tricky!!

[@danielboughton3624]

On the older cats no brakes means no turning. You have a clutch release per track and a brake per track so to turn you pull back on the clutch release and hit the brake for that side. On somewhat newer machines you pull the lever half back to release the clutch on the track and all the way back to engage the brake for a turn. In both cases you can disengage the track but not hit the brake for a slow turn but we are talking a real slow turn.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Great stuff Marty. You should enjoy watching The Pacific Hillbilly’s painstaking ground up resto of a similar tractor.

[@mikerobbins3334]

Marty, I always enjoy your vids and they are enjoyable because you also get old iron going again. This was a step above. Thank you so much for sharing what some woud not appreciate, but others thrive on.

[@mattwheaton7621]

🤟🏻🇨🇦🇨🇦🤙🏻

[@mikerobbins3334]

@@mattwheaton7621 where in Canada are you at? Generally.

[@mikerobbins3334]

Or elsewhere. I'm Northern Ontario.

[@MacPoop]

200% agreed 👍 Plus, only way my old broke ass will ever get to see New Zealand!

[@tonymckeage1028]

I remember a D47U on a dairy farm i worked on cira 1976/1977 it was the heavy mover on this farm used for rolling silage and doing landscaping reformation! Good memories of this machine albeit i never drove it! thus i enjoyed your video, thanks for sharing

[@billholemo2518]

I enjoy your application of mechanical common sense.dont ever Stop.

[@jesusisGod1434]

It must be Christmas! We’ve been given another gift from Marty T! 🎄👍🏼❤️

[@jaredclawson1813]

Was so happy when I located my Cat service manuels for the machine I have like this one. A few years ago while making some intense pushes on a look out tower road I did a nose dive and got locked in two gears. Pulled out the panel, tapped here, pried there and took a crazy ride down the mountain. Mine still has the overhead LeTourneau cable system. I save the hydrualics for the R And T model 11's that we rip coal with at the other, real job.

[@mikelskelley]

I would love to wish you your family and friends all the very best for this festive season

[@martineastburn3679]

A big bottle brush might be handy on the radiator on the outside. Good work men.

[@Caje-zf8md]

I always wanted a 7U series for the outdoor shows that I attend here in the US. I looked at a couple of 7U's but they were well beyond help so I had to settle on a early D4D. It has gear drive like the 7U but with the addition of a "Johnson" (forward/reverse lever). A lot of levers to keep the operator busy. Thanks for the video.

[@davelocock]

Hope you and Matt @northwestpacfichillbilly are in touch , has a comprehensive series on rebuilding a similar era d4. Great content anyway.

[@emanggitulah4319]

Thought of Matt as well... He did a hell of a rebuild on his D4

[@casparberends2719]

There is also squatch253, did a whole rebuild too on his D4.

[@williamwales6619]

Brilliant educational video. I had an uncle just like you. No formal training but anything with an engine and tracks/wheels he could and did fix. I spent my formative years spending as much time at his shed as i could..I've never met you ,or spoke to you but in my opinion you have the ability to pass that info on.. Some of these bits of machinery will never be fixed if they break down... More power to your elbow. Later

[@sheph7]

definitely a lot of work but all in all easier than I would have guessed and looks like you address the problem just in time. Lucky to have nice weather

[@mischef18]

This made for great viewing guys so cheers for letting us tag along bro. Safe travels over the festive season from up here in the Waikato.

[@stuartgouk316]

Should watch North West Hillbillies, he's rebuilding a D4

[@dougyurecko6500]

Those magneto on those pony motors will give you a shock if your hand slips off the starting clutch.... great work on the repair

[@TechGorilla1987]

@1:55 - it looks like someone there got wise to using old, used billboard material for tarps. Mustie1 taught me about those.

[@WhyBeNick]

I was expecting you to have to split the machine. Huge improvement over the earlier D4 models.

[@justcolin2887]

As always, i like the video before i watch because i know it going to be good! Cant wait to watch 😁

[@yeetas4881]

If you like Marty do you watch Andrew Camara

[@justcolin2887]

@yeetas4881 yes i do! Ive been watching him for a few years. Both of them have got me interested in tinkering around with older tractors

[@yeetas4881]

@@justcolin2887 yea me too crazy eh

[@johndemeen5575]

Nice to see flowers. It will be a while before flowers come back, here. At least 4 months. Thanks for keeping me entertained St. Paul Minnesota.

[@Unknown1880]

One thing is for sure, old machine last for ever if taken care of. By new ones you can take a lot of care and love but eventually it ends because of electronic lifetime parts and issues.

[@markhensley9378]

Great job on the repairs. She seems to be working fine now.

[@billyhaddock5540]

Great Job Guy's on repairing the clutch on the D47U Dozer.. runs like a clock now..

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

There's something to be said about men working together to solve challenges. There is a comradery among men that is missing in todays society.

[@britzwickit]

Merry Christmas to you and the family!

[@buffsheeri]

it's amazing they still have parts for these old machines

[@rigdigwus]

you just gotta love these old machines. repairing is so much fun

[@crazyfvck]

Fun times with old machines ;) I'm glad you were able to find the parts, even though they were quite expensive.

[@PaulioMaldinio]

That's some Vintage 1967 JCB 6D on the hill, unbelievable

[@texasjetman]

WELL DONE Marty T, so awesome two mechanical minds working well together sharing with the rest of the world, I cannot imagine the difficulties in you obtaining spare parts, I am most certain its very frustrating, here in the States waiting more than a day or two is frustrating, I cant imagine months. Well done. Merry Christmas to you all.

[@davecalvo6418]

Nice old CAT, good to see she's still running well for him

[@thedave7760]

Safety squints engaged, carefulling, carefulling.

[@willtricks9432]

Worth the money and time spent keeping that Dozer going.

[@coop_coop007]

A sweet christmas treat. Merry Christmas from scotland. And thanks for a years worth of distractions, happy new year to you and your family.

[@jeroldstockdale]

You should do a video about what you carry everyday in your pockets and why. You could also include what you think people should have in their cars to fix simple things and for emergencies. Just a thought.

[@lumpy1603]

That's a great idea...I think that would help alot of folks out

[@patrickmoodabe9728]

Merry Christmas Marty & family! I hope you’re back in your bush retreat. 🎅🎅💪💪🙏🙏 helping your neighbour. As you do.

[@trainsinkansas576]

Nice job, it's nice to see proper maintenance done on equipment.

[@AZVIDS]

The care you take with that equipment is inspiring.👍👍👍

[@metricstormtrooper]

Merry Christmas Marty and to your family as well.

[@Timothy-lb2vr]

Good videos Marty. I live in phoenix Arizona which is about 12000 miles from you. A happy new year to you and your family. I have a grandson looks to be about the same age as your boy, they are a blessing for sure.

[@TheOldMachines]

Squatch253 has entered the chat....great work that's a serious project

[@richardorchard3364]

Good job fellas,I’m glad you knew where all those parts went back together.

[@imo8628]

Thanks Marty. I very much enjoy your videos. That clutch assembly and linkages, were an amazing engineering feat ! Cheers from over the small ditch, Merry Christmas and have a very Happy Near Year to you and your family, take care and stay safe.😄👍

[@shteebo]

"Safety squint"...LOL. Great content, Marty. Thanks for posting.

[@kennethhall5070]

As always, outstanding job working the clutch problems out, getting the parts, cleaning everything up and moving right back in the reassembly end of the job. Awesome tutorial while working on that old D-4 great teamwork. Thank fellas💪🏼

[@charlietanner6211]

spent many many hrs on a d4 running /working great little tractors if you ever get extra flywheel you can put the clutch together and adjust it before putting in trac makes it lot easyier are there many of old cats down there

[@jdhinckley1954]

You guys were clearly having too much fun!

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi, awesome job guys. Many thanks for letting us follow along. Seasons greetings from Nr Liverpool UK.

[@piratboss]

Out in the field repairs without all fancy equipment makes it so familiar and great too Watch! Merry christmas from Norway Marty!

[@nickjones886]

This was a welcome video, only crap on TV during the festive period...

[@billsmith5166]

It's always good to hear two guys giggling in the middle of a rotten job. From the looks of it the clutch works so well that you'd better wear a neck support. Merry Xmas Marty!

[@JoelMMcKinney]

Yes .... turn those wrenches. Holy long term projects bro. Good work!

[@ckmoore101]

Great stuff! Cleaning that "oil filter", did wonders for my OCD!!

[@april7_]

There is something satisfying to watch something like this was, you really do well and she is like new!

[@stevea9604]

You could give the Northwest Hillbilly a run for the money on in-provisional mechanical skills 😮😂🤩👍🏻👌🏻👀

[@RangieNZ]

I'd always wondered about the reason for that split coupling being there, I hadn't considered in-frame clutch swaps. That's pretty clever.

[@pangit9999]

I love the sneaky glace at the digger at the end, like you're thinking "that's my next project" lol!

[@gs1100ed]

I was thinking the same thing. Surprised that others are not mentioning it.

[@dfross87]

It's actually a previous project. Though any machine is always a candidate for another video.

[@chrisoakey9841]

Love your show. With your terrain I suggest putting thicker oil in the air filters so it doesn't slosh around as much. And I hope you get an electric grease gun and oil pump for Christmas. Merry Christmas

[@andrewradford3953]

Impressive work repairing the D4 clutch. Might need to seal the base of the muffler a little better. It only looked like a small leak, but the damage soot and monoxide does, adds up when you spend many hours on a machine.

[@ericjohnson6802]

This may sound paranoid but fit some safety chains between the track frames and the engine where the jocky spring fits up as the whole engine and tyranny can flip over backwards if the jocky spring/ mounts fail eg up a steep slope. Has happened too often..

[@tileman17]

Lol, that's just a DOG/DOGIE! We all want the RAM/DOG. BUT STILL A CUTE DOGGIE.

[@Pushyhog]

thanks Marty. It's summertime in New Zealand. Looked lil cold .

[@MartyT]

We stripped it down months ago, late winter, the parts took a while to arrive

[@captainover-tighten6729]

Christmas Eve, power is out everywhere but I have a genny! What if I find but a little diddy from Mr T. Is that the wee dozer you two dragged out of the woods. Great to have a mate with similar interests. Great video. All the best for the holidays to you and the bride and the yard helpers. And your mate. G

[@dalebechtel8904]

Absolutely love watching marty

[@nvrst]

Good work on the clutch. And very clever installation of the crane on the trailer at 23:31.