Cat and tracked arch for the Redwood country.

[Muleskinner]

I have had this Cat posted on a few other forums which alot of you might have seen. For the benefit of those of you who haven't the Cat is built off an AMT Bulldozer D8-H and heavily modified and back dated to the thirties and forties logging era and is pulling a typical tracked logging arch. The arch is totally scratchbult except for the tracks which are off a die cast model.

When I obtained the Cat it had no under carriage or tracks and so I built the whole under carriage drive unit and instead of the arch bar suspension which came with the cat I built the old leaf spring cross suspension for it. Once it was completed I heavily weathered it and instead of decals I used dry transfers and made the lettering look like parts of it had worn off. I might add that it has a hyster w duel purpose winch on the back and the arch was modeled off an old CARCO arch which I found a picture of in a book.

[slurrydog]

This is one of my favorite builds that you have shown.
I love older cats in fact I belong to the Antique Cat Machinery Owners Club, so when I see a cat build it has a special place for me.
And your cats are so real I really enjoy looking at them.
Dave

[tufftin]

Great build.
Here's an old one in action.
Mike
Hosted on Fotki

[slurrydog]

Really like the picture Mike. Thanks for posting it.
Dave

[slurrydog]

William, are the eyes on the blade corner bits for a brush rake or were they for a tie down point?
Also do you know when the D8 2u were produce? Iwas thinking between the late 40s early 50s but not sure.
Dave

[dptydawg]

Jan 1, 2012 8:26:33 GMT -8 slurrydog said:

Also do you know when the D8 2u were produce? Iwas thinking between the late 40s early 50s but not sure.
Dave

Dave, According to the reference book that I have, 2U's sarted in 1945 and were replaced with the 13A in 1953.
Carl

[Muleskinner]

Dave,

The eyes on the blade are for attaching blocks or just tying down stabalizer lines for some of ther older high rigging units. If there was no tie down points available the cat was put in place with the blade down a dug into the ground and the temporary rigging was attached to it. This way it served as a temporary anchor for the high rigging.

On some of the high lines across the ravines and what not they were also used to pull rigging up hill if the slope was not to steep if need be by attaching to the blade and backing up the hill. on steeper grade it was attached to the winch and pulled forward. Saved wear and tear on the ground crew when moving rigging. At times they were also used as pull point for a disabled cat. When I was Cat skinning part of my job was dragging rigging from one point to the next, either by the pull points or using the winch especially in overly brushy areas. The ground crew would follow to watch for stumps and throw the rigging over the stump to keep from getting hung up. the term Rigger Slingers came from this operation way back when in the prehistoric days, from what I've heard.

When you are moving a lot of heavy rigging, it became a lot easier if you had a Cat around to help. Here in my area of Oregon they still occasionaly do it, when the going gets rough.

William

[slurrydog]

Thanks Carl.
Thanks William, I thought thats what they would be used for but was not sure.
Dave

[Ryan Rønning]

I love this build.

[ap40rocktruck]

William,

Any chance of more detail photos? like the underside? Or did you take any during the construction?

Ap40

[Muleskinner]

Right now this cat is in for a rebuikld as my shop Cat thomas had a gon in with a mouse and this got in the way. I will do some under side shots of it and post them.

[largecar64]

William. That thing is great! Nice work.

[jfisher]

I am hard pressed in believing that isn't 1-1! another great job William!! you build some incredible models!!

[kerry]

William thats a superb build. I like it very much. The detail and paint and workmanship is a credit to your talents. Great Job
Kerry

[bluemule75]

Looks good William!!!!