Looking for a link to info or someone who is familiar with the year to year variations of the D4 Cat. Bought what is supposed to be an early 60's model that I suspect might be a late 50's version instead. ID tag is there but is not legible. The engine looks like a 3304 externally. It is direct drive. It has the later, angled blade lift cylinders, not horizontal ones with the triangle looking linkage. It has a tall lever on the operators right for forward and reverse.
The later cylinder mounts came in with the D4D series 78A1-up in 1963 to 1968. Engine would be the D330 (4-1/2" bore)
D4 decals are all that appears on machine. Of course, there has been a paint job or three.
While I am asking for help, is there an on line source for service info? Things like capacities, pressures, torque specs, service procedures, etc.?
Yes - here on HEF ......
When you figure out what you have get the literature, service manuals, operators manual, parts book etc. usually found on ebay. Did you check the back upper LH side of the steering clutch case for tag or stamped numbers?
No, didn't know where all to look. Found a tag below the dash area, down low, just above floor level, right in front of where your right foot might set if not on the brake. The area you describe there being possibly a tag or number stamped, is that around back under the fuel tank? Hope is the rain will let up enough to get the machine moved today for a closer examination.
Yes on the rear tag location, just above the LH brake access cover plate. If you found a s/n tag on the dash it is most likely a later unit. The 78A has tag on engine and rear case. Is it direct drive or power shift?
OK,re read and it is Direct Drive. Next model up from the 78A is a 20J model that is direct drive. Only 557 units produced from 1966 to 1968. After that comes the 82J series with about 3,000 of them built (1968-71).
As the tank had some dents to evaluate, I spent some time looking in the area you describe but didn't notice a tag. A lot of fuel stain there as well, so it might be it is covered in grime. As soon as it gets moved home I will take a closer look... especially now that I know where to look. FWIW and not knowing if this helps, a friend familiar with the earlier ('50's version) D4's was there to test drive for me, he offered this machines engine looked like a 3304. I was under the impression the basic external structure of the 3300 series Cats are the same so this tid-bit may not help.
You would have to get up to s/n 82J3444-up (1971) to be a 3304 engine. Look at the water pump. If it is belt driven with the fan it's a D330A If it is gear driven it's a D330C If it is gear driven with a four bolt cover on the water pump it's a 3304.
Dozer was delivered today. Found two tags, the previously mentioned one on the dash in front of the right brake pedal and another on the engines left side. Both are hard to read but appear to have the same info: 78A7177 there also is a letter "D" below the 78A. Under the left armrest/battery cover is a stencil: 4K7507.4/76. BTW, the water pump is belt driven so D330A it is? Is this enough info to go manual shopping? Have a question that probably should be in a new thread but.... Ran the machine for maybe 45 minutes and had trouble shifting from reverse to forward. Gear clash was the order of the day, like the clutch was engaged. It shifted better when warmed up and if when pointed down hill and rolling slightly. Was forced to kill the engine several times, engage forward and restart. Shift to reverse was almost 100% okay. Thoughts?
In models from that era the engine Serial Number was the same as the tractor S/N, so what you have found would appear to indicate you have a tractor complete with the original engine. 4K-7507 is actually the Part Number of the battery box lid.
Have not had much luck finding the year of mfg. Guessing that I have a D4(C?) but don't find the 78A listed but under D4D's where the serial numbers don't go high enough. Might be what info I have is enough to shop for service manuals?
78A7177 is a 1967 build D4d and is close to the end of the 78A production run.
I concur. The nearest I can get to a build date is somewhere in the June-July 1967 time frame. Now that you have the 78A Serial Number prefix finding suitable manuals for your particular tractor should not be too difficult although it may need a bit of trawling on the online auction sites. Here's something that might do the trick for you ....... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Caterpillar-D4-Tractor-Service-Manual-78A1-Up-/141824227517
Perfect, thanks, I am off to look for manuals!
All you need do is look at the photos that accompany the manual for the applicable Serial Number range - 78A1-Up in your case - and it should be the correct manual. I don't think there were any Serial Number breaks in the 78A machines so one size should fit all.