Seems like there's been quite a bit of discussion about RD-4's lately. I thought I'd post a few pictures of the one that I've been playing with.

John, those boosters were an add on item & I see this one was made by Silver Booster Mfg. Co. At the dealer I saw a few come in that had that feature add on put on them but not very many.

Great pictures of the RD-4 and locomotive.
The steering boosters were an after market attachment that used an overcenter type spring assist to aid steering clutch operation. They do actually work pretty good. Here is another picture of the whole mechanism.

Thanks for posting those pictures Old Magnet. I was going to post some this evening but you saved me the trouble. Those old Silver Springs don't work too bad. Not as good as a hydraulic booster, but better than no booster.

The blade was installed by the local Cat dealer sometime in the 40's. Its for a later model D-4, so it needed a few modifications to fit.
The 2 top rollers were removed and replaced by a single one and the C-frame was lengthened a few inches in front of the trunions.





It should be fairly easy to find some history on this Cat because it was in this area all its life and a lot of people remember seeing it work.

Hi JC 4T,
Noticed you have the early series #44 unit. Does it have the float position on the control valve? What's the story on the locomotive??

What is the story about the steam locomotive behind the tractor? GWH

Old Magnet and GWH,
The #44 hyd. unit doesn't have float. (Well, it does right now until I put new packing in the hydraulic cylinders).
The locomotive is a 1915 Baldwin. The tracks run behind my house. I was getting ready to take some pictures of the RD-4, when I heard the train whistle. I thought I'd wait a few more minutes and get it in the pictures, too.

Makes for some pretty unique pictures:D Thanks for posting.

I take it the mossy pictures were taken before the operational pictures? Must have sat out in the elements for a while. Never seen an RD4 with the optional floor mounted rusty rocker assembly before! Need a little work when you first got it?
Looks like fun, and must be cool to live near a working steam locomotive!
My best to you,
alan627b
Oops, just re-read the post, and noticed the second batch was from Old Magnet. My mistake!
Sorry.