12-246 Garand Picture of the Day

[Snafu]

American bulldozer, Caterpillar D7 with a angledozer LeTourneau equipment and CK7 called "booger kid" recorks holes bombs on a road of the Normandy countryside west of St. Lo

Information

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[Bob Seijas]

D7 called "Daisy Etta" in Spanish

[frankderrico]

Cat D7, diesel engine /70 HP. Nothing like the modern D7's. It was started by a gas pony engine, not a direct electric starter. It also predates modern hydraulics, every thing was run by cable through a winch at the rear of the machine, raise and lower the blade, open and close the bowl of a scraper, lower pipe into a trench. It steered by pulling on a lever, left lever for left track, right for right track. Pull it part way disengaged the drive for a slow turn, pull it and step on the right or left brake peddle for a sharp turn. That Cat is all trimmed out for combat, extra fuel cans in a shop built rack, tool box attached to the hood. Would like to see more pics, you would think he has a rifle scabbard on it somewhere. Nice undercarriage, high and tight. That was going to change in the months ahead. Wonder ware it is now?

Regards.....Frank

[Bill Hollinger]

Note that the cans are either German or British and not American 5-20 cans.

[Allen Humphrey]

Notice the personalized name on the top strap of steel over his head. Wonder how he got that handle?

We had a similar vintage D7 on the farm where I grew up. The pony motor was the most difficult part to start and operate. The old man would keep a soup can over the exhaust pipe of the pony. As a very young kid I recall keeping my eyes glued to the soup can because as soon as it finally fired, the can would shoot into the air. Also the air intake (directly in front of the operator) was a perfect spot for hornets to build a nest. Don't ask me how I know.

The blade angle was changed manually by moving a pin on one side of the blade structure.

[frankderrico]

That pony engine saved the life of the diesel. It would warm up the coolant, and the engine oil. It also gave the engine some oil pressure before the diesel fired up. Never needed staring fluid, they ran forever. Allen remember pulling the pin, putting the corner of the blade into the ground and moving the dozer forward to slide the blade to angle it?

Regards.....Frank