Hi all,

Dad and I took a trip yesterday, and brought home this beauty. D4 7u3830, see pics. Track is pretty good, no big dings, engines free with good compression. New filters and fluids this weekend and she'll run...hopefully!!!

What year is this machine?

Anyone tried to convert this vintage to Direct Electric start with success?

How about electric start for the pony? Know of any for sale?

Thanks,
Sam

i think 1948. i saw that on yt, was a good deal. hopes shes ok. thats the 2nd d4 with repaired blade lift parts i seen. i don't see how one can break that heavy stuff. i got electric pony parts back home in nw indiana. i'll be back mid may to late june. good luck.

I am still have 1 startor for the poney.

I think you made a nice choice with the D4 & they started production with the 6U & 7U in 1947 so I don,t have a specific year made but some do on here but guessing probably about a 1950 on or near. Yes there is electric start for the starting engine & there is a guy on here by the name of OM that has all the info. on direct electric start. A bracket & starter assem. & belt along with a generator if not equipped & battery is basically whats needed for a starter for the starting engine itself.If your in a colder climate I,d stay with the starting engine system, my opinion.You can get along without a generating system if you keep the battery charged up when not in use.

According to my Serial number field guide, your D4 7U is a 1948. Serial numbers for the 7U for 1948 run from 1540 through 4072. Enjoy your new toy. Our D4 7U is one special machine to our family.

Thanks for all the help, guys. I finally figured out how to put the SN into the PartStore system, and it turned up 1948. Ordered the filters, etc.

Dad found the hourmeter....666 hours. I'm not suprised, though, as the old man had not run it in 17 years. The son-in-law said they hardly ran it when they owned it, just cleaned a fencerow every once in a while, etc. If the diesel runs this weekend, I'll bring it to my house and start working on the pony. I will definitely be interested in a pony starter, battery box, etc.

Any leads on track? The grousers are OK, sprockets OK, idler and rollers appear to be OK, but the bushings are a little worn. Suprising with such little use...must be the sandy soil in the river bottoms?

Thanks again.

Sam nice machine. Almost reminds me of a D4 my wife's uncled had not too far from you between Yates City and Farmington. His was a 46 year and had a cable blade on it.
Terry

Hi Sam,

Looks like you and your Dad found a gem. Are you planning to restore the machine or will it become a working member of the Meeker family?

Hi to Dad, Bill, as well, and congratulations to both of you!

Regards,
Lee

don't worry bout track now, i believe it'll have more than 666 hrs. on it. very few hr meters are correct and misread often. i've rebuilt 2 those ponies, iffen you got questions ... ask away.