New Owner, Need Help

[Nate]

I am new here, but it seems like a good place to ask questions about these old crawlers. I just bought the machine in the picture, and the guy said that it is a 1948 EG-42. Can anyone here confirm that?

I plan to use it for a few projects, and then if she treats me right may get involved in a moderate restoration. If she acts up too much I'll probablly be looking to unload it quicly.

I take posession of it this weekend, and know already that I need a radiator, 2 track pads, and a maintenence manual.

I would like to find the missing sheet metal (sides and radiator cover), an original or replica seat, and an air cleaner assembly.

Does anyone know of a good source to find the needed parts for this machine, or does anyone have parts they would be willing to sell? I've looked at the links in the forum, but nothing mentions an EG-42.

[Ray]

Yes, that looks like an EG-42, the model and serial number should be on a plate on the firewall(engine side).<P>Give me a call, I might be able to help you out on some parts. <p>
<A HREF="http://www.oliverinformation.com/zimmerman.html">Click Here to find more information

[Nate]

Thanks, The tag on the firewall is missing right now.  The guy I bought it from said he has it and will try to find it.  

I'll try to give you a call tomorrow to see about the necessary parts.  I mostly need the radiator and the track pads.  The rest will be helpful.

How strong should I expect this to be, I understand that it is over 50 years old, but I do plan to use it for work.  Mostly I want to use it for leveling out a spot for my planned garage, and possibly digging a pond at a later date.  I don't expect it to be as fast as a modern dozer but I hope it can handle some work.  In it's previous life it was a log skidder.

[Blake Malkamaki]

Nate, you didn't give your location in your bio on the left side. For parts, check out the link to junk yards all around the country. There are many of them listed and some have Cletrac parts.

There is no radiator cover. The top tank is what fills the void you have, so you'll need the whole radiator to make it right. A radiator for any styled E or A should work.

The E is a farm tractor and not intended to be made into a dozer. It will probably work for what you are trying to do. The A is the same basic tractor with lower gearing and heavier track frames and tracks. It's an industrial tractor and more capable with a dozer. One in the hands of a good operator will work as fast and well as a new machine.

It looks like yours has a snow plow blade.

Good luck.

[Nate]

Thanks Blake, I just updated my Location.  I called Zimmerman's yesterday and found out about the radiator.  I spoke with the people that I am buying the tractor from and they still have the old radiator.  It turns out that the fan came apart and went through the core.  They are going to give me the old parts as well so I can get a new core and save a few hundred dollars.  

The wife and I are excited about getting this machine, but I have to admit that I do have reservations because it does have to do some work mostly as a dozer.  

Am I crazy for getting this?  Should I be looking at a different machine based on the work I am going to be doing?  I only ask because I haven't paid for it yet and have not taken possession.  I do plan to use it to move some dirt piles and level an area for a 30x40 garage, after that it will be used for light landscaping.  

The blade is cobbed together, it appears to be built well, but if I get into a restoration it will be removed because it clearly does not belong on the machine.  Zimmerman's mentioned that there is a blade that does go on this machine, but it is light duty.  Assuming everything holds together I do plan to keep it for a while and get her whipped into shape.

[Blake Malkamaki]

Nate, check the classifieds. There's a radiator for an AG there. You may also look at the OC-4 dozer advertised just next to it - he's in southern New York, probably not too far from you. It would be a better machine for what you are trying to do.

Blake

[Nate]

Thanks for the info guys.  I took posession of the EG-42 last Sunday and have been tinkering with it here and there.  I called Zimmermans and ordered a radiator (core) and a seat.  That will be enough to get me going, and then I get into the fine details of adjusting everything properly.  I now have the manuals for it so it is just a matter of time to get it purring like a kitten.  There are a lot of "cob jobs" that I want to clean up before I start to use it for anything serious.  I also just realized that it is not missing track pads, it has the 12" pads on top of the 8" links.  According to the book I have that was an option.  Does anyone have any 12" bolt on pads they would be willing to sell.  I need 3.

Thanks for your help so far.  I am sure as I start to get more into this I will have a lot more questions.

[Blake Malkamaki]

Nate, my newer electric start E has the wider track pads too.

Hey, if you ordered a new radiator core, you're still gonna need the top and bottom tanks and the sides to the radiator.

[Nate]

The people I bought it from found the old radiator in the bushes and brought it when they delivered the machine.  The top tanks and sides were intact, ther was a big chunk out of the core where a fan blade went through it.  

I just got the new core today and spent some time cleaning up the tanks (inside and out).  Did you know that there are 52 bolts holding the tanks to the core?  I had to use an impact gun on every one.  Then I had to drill and tap all of the ones on the top tank that broke.  It took a while, but I now have it about 1/2 assembled.  

I'll have her running again in the next few days, then I can focus on cleaning her up a bit more.  I've got a new seat to put on it, and the cab is coming off, along with a few other "modifications" that are not necessary.