Does anyone have photographs of the original battery box for the (2) 12v [24v] batteries on a direct diesel start D2? These batteries sat atop the flywheel housing where the starting engine would otherwise be located. There are doors on the hood that access the tops of the batteries. I would like to fabricate the box as close to the original as possible.

Here are some photos. There is no box, just a bottom frame attached to bell housing/engine. It has 4 holes 2 on each side, the top hold down has 4 holes also and uses 4 long bolts to keep batteries from moving.

Gary, thanks for posting the photos... they are very helpful.
I have a couple of questions that I hope that you can answer:

Does the bottom base of the battery box bolt to the flywheel housing using the same holes as the flywheel housing cover plate (the plate that covers where the starting engine would otherwise be)?

Does the lower part of the front baffle bolt to the bottom base of the battery box or does it bolt directly to the flywheel housing?

Thanks again,
Kevin

Hi Kevin,
The front baffle bolts on to the base which bolts on to the top of the engine/bell housing, in place of the pony motor. There is a piece of thin plywood with holes for the 6 cap screw heads to seat in so the batteries won't ride on the heads. Here are a few more detailed pictures.

Your photos and comments have been great! Thanks again.
The D2 that I recently purchased had the batteries mounted on the fender and piece of flat 1/8" plate is bolted to the top of the flywheel housing where the starting engine would be located.

Does your bottom base of the battery box seal the top of the flywheel housing or is the bottom base bolted on top of a separate flat plate?

As you probably know, there is a water passage in the flywheel housing that must be sealed or coolant will likely leak into the clutch compartment (like mine did). I have the clutch out of the tractor so this is a good time to deal with the battery placement and the box for them.
You mentioned the plywood that effectively raises the batteries above the mounting bolts so I'm guessing that the bottom battery box base is also the flywheel housing sealing base.
I think that you will have given me enough to fabricate the box.
I really appreciate your help!
Kevin
P.S. All of the battery box parts have been discontinued by Cat

Seems some folks prefer using a battery box from an SA machine and place it on the left fender. Easier to access, and less heat from the engine. I also think they’ve been swapped over to a pair of AGM type 24 or 58 batteries. Original looks nice, but we haven’t had very good luck with the 3ET type batteries.
I always thought there were lids as well. Glad someone clarified things.

A few years ago I replaced the bushing in the top cover that kept the clutch linkage shaft from vibrating. I needed to remove the top cover, but to get the top cover off I needed to remove the batteries and base mount. When the base mount came off the engine coolant started leaking. I made another gasket and re sealed it. If I remember correctly the base mount is separate from the bell housing. The base mount is about 1" above the bell housing top cover.
Gary

"Neil" wrote:

Pretty cool having fleet numbering on them JM!

I’ll tell you what is really cool Neil, double digits!
My pals had a slug of D2 and D4s!

Juiceman,

I haven seen a shop with that many tail seats lined up since the 90’s when there was a San Jose based packing shed that had a rather large apricot ranch out this way. Unfortunately we traded that market away and it’s now hard to find a good sweet cot now.