1942 CAT D2 Starting Procedure (Pony Engine/Diesel Engine)

Rundown of good starting procedure for CAT D2/D4 pony engine/diesel engine setups.
I remember, as a boychild on the farm with my dad and grampa, hearing some of the old-timers piss and moan about "...that godd@mn pony engine left me dead in the field, again!"
...so, being my own worst enemy, I bought a machine with a pony engine!
I hope this helps some of you out there that have this type of machine or are curious about how high compression diesel engines were started before mass production capabilities of high-torque electric starter systems were available

[@davidtrollope6644]

One of the best i have listened to great job

[@bundella1]

G'day mate, we own one of these - have for 50 years (D4. Process to start is this as per the book which would be same as D2. I think youve mostly got it right but read on...)
- Start pony which you've done no worries.
- Once pony warm, engage main engine - diesel fuel off & decompression lever pulled out = deco on.
- After engine has rolled over for a little while with decompression still pulled out, push in the deco lever to create compression on main engine. You can then let the Pony roll the big motor over in this configuration for quite some time - still no diesel fuel though. (Engine oil pressure should be up now too.)
- in this configuration the pony motor is generating warmth into diesel motor via friction & exhaust gases running through main diesel manifold. Its a very kind and gentle way to start a diesel. heating the diesel motor prior to starting is part of the process.
- When your happy main motor has fuel pressure & heat you can shut off fuel to pilot motor and just before pilot conks out rotate & open the diesel fuel to main engine, She'll start perfectly every time.
- Pilot will stop as fuel is expired, This is important.
- This method is straight from the book and is how it should be done, don't open diesel fuel lever tool early. Good luck...

[@donaldmitchell5582]

What a process!!
Good demonstration

[@kaitheramptruckman7539]

Great video demonstration thanks!!

[@kobusdutoitbosman6240]

great piece of history ~ thank you ⁉️🔥

[@nwc3270]

Gotta have a couple puffs of the cigarette while spraying starter fluid lmao safety first

[@MitchellSVCSLLC]

YOLO!!!

[@buddymac3993]

Cat D2 being a CAT has a KITTEN ENGINE!!! Get it?🇨🇦😄

[@efrostrup]

My dad bought five WWll surplus D4 Cats, had lots of engine trouble; the timing gears on the diesel engine were made of Bakelite!

[@MitchellSVCSLLC]

That's a very unfortunate bit of knowledge about the timing gears!

[@efrostrup]

@@MitchellSVCSLLC He took a contract to build a portion of highway that he’d flown over thinking the cats would do the job. Learning experience.

[@duckfood65]

Cool.

[@2ndGenBen]

Wow extensive process to get that started.
Is there any steps that can be skipped or minimized if the diesel is already nice and toasty

[@MitchellSVCSLLC]

Unfortunately, no.
I've been informed by more knowledgeable people in one of my groups that I did a few things wrong, too. There's a guy here on TH-cam goes by Squatch, or something like that, that is specialized in these D2's and D4's and will offer much more detailed information... Thanks for watching!

[@ralfie8801]

You’re on the right track - if it’s already warm, you can skip the long cranking with the compression release open, just get it rolling over with the pony, close the comp release and immediately open the diesel throttle, it’ll pop right off.
Edit: Also, the starting engine clutch has a brake in it, the disengaged position is where he said it was, but he should be able to put pressure on the clutch lever and hold it (towards the operator’s seat) and stop the pinion rotation to while using the pinion lever to mesh it with the diesel’s flywheel and then push the clutch lever forward to engage the clutch and spin the diesel over.
He should also turn the gas off to the pony and run it dry to turn it off instead of using the mag switch. This will prevent gas from bouncing out of the pony’s float bowl and migrating into the cylinders and contaminating the engine oil (which is less than a quart) and causing catastrophic damage to the pony. There are hardly any parts available to repair those these days, so everything possible needs to be done to protect those little engines.

[@RomeKG471]

What manufacturer is the blade?

[@nicholaspratt7934]

Turn pony fuel off to stop the pony, let it drain carb to stop.

[@r4v3rbr]

Are you really using ether while smoking a cigar?!

[@MitchellSVCSLLC]

Yup! OSHA-approved!

[@steverattay9767]

Change

[@michaelwpaulin4876]

🥴