Caterpillar - D8 - Diesel - Cold Start - Cat - Tractor - WW2 - Normandy

Caterpillar D8-8R Built in Illinois USA in 1941 then shipped over to England to join 79th armoured Div 819 Dozer Squadron. This actual machine took part in Normandy and D-Day events. Filmed on 19th July 2008 at Barton under Needwood Steam Rally ( near Lichfield Staffs ) What you are watching is the start process needed before the Big Cats diesel engine can be started. The petrol driven starter motor ( donkey engine ) is fired up first. This generates heat which inturn is used to warm up the big diesel engine prior to starting. The action of the starter motor also builds up the oil pressure in the big diesel engine. When the required oil pressure has been reached you will see the guy activate the start mechanism on the diesel engine. Once she has fired up the primary petrol engine is shut down leaving the Big Cat Diesel engine purring away....Sweet

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• D2
• Dozer
• Caterpillar
• D8
• WW2
• Normandy
• Cold Start
• Diesel
• Engine
• Tracks
• Pony Engine
• Donkey Engine
• Petrol
• 2 stroke
• World War Two
• D-Day
• yt:stretch=16:9
• yt:quality=high
• Show
• illinois
• USA
• D8-8R
• Rally
• Event
• Howto
• Start
• Tractor
• Injector
• Barton Under Needwood
• Burton
• Steam rally
• Traction Engine

[derekm33rs]

Great video, Brilliant old Dozer... Just glad we don't have to do that every morning!!!

[Bevoin1970]

@derekm33rs I remember thinking the exact same thing at the time... :)

[FJSchrank]

Very interesting with the pony motor. Why didnt they use air start? Maybe because in cold weather it would have to crank over too long and without preheat, etc it would be too long?

[Bevoin1970]

@FJSchrank Where do you get the air from on the initial start up? The Pony engine gives off heat, which is then used to help pre heat the big diesel engine, no air start could do that for you.

[pattino1fan1]

Until a few months ago I'd never heard of pony motors. Was there a reason for using them instead of electric starters? Great video by the way

[Bevoin1970]

@pattino1fan1 Im guessing it was all about the technology at the time, bear in mind its easy to start a small Petrol engine, but from that you get heat, which is then channelled into the larger diesel engine providing warmth to aid in starting, and also to help in building up oil pressure too. eventually your in a position to crank over the big diesel and away you go.

In todays world its all so simple, we just turn a key and off we go. :-)

[derekm33rs]

@Bevoin1970 LOL

[mastersduhgree]

@Bevoin1970 Yeah even the glow plugs are built right into the start cycle.

[mastersduhgree]

@pattino1fan1 I think the old deisel engines took alot of cranking and as in this video the pony motor preheats the big one so it can start in cold weather.WIth a battery start it may very well have took more cranking than a 1940 battery could supply.And it would have been nesseccary to utilize glow plugs in cold weather.So the need for lots of cranking and suppling power to glow plugs might have been more than a 1940,s battery could dole out.Maybe?

[mastersduhgree]

@FJSchrank Good analogy.