Caterpillar D8 Specifications
by Erik Devaney
The D8 was a large track-type tractor, which Caterpillar Inc.--CAT for short--produced from 1941 until 1974. While not on the Caterpillar production line anymore, you can still purchase the D8 on the used machinery market. The tractor typically includes a large plow for bulldozing and clearing earth; and features army tank-style track wheels. The two wheels on either side of the D8 power continuous metal tracks, as opposed to turning standard tires.
Engine Type
At the core of the Caterpillar D8 tractor is a Caterpillar-manufactured, six-cylinder engine, which means the engine has six piston chambers with six corresponding pistons that pump in and out of those chambers. As a diesel engine, the six-cylinder CAT uses compression to ignite its fuel, as opposed to using a spark plug, which is the standard for gasoline engines.
Engine Displacement
Engine displacement refers to the total amount of space or volume that the engine's pistons occupy after firing into their cylinders. As Tractor Specs notes, the Caterpillar D8's engine has a displacement of 1,246 cubic inches. This is equivalent to 20.4 liters or about 20, 418 cubic centimeters.
RPMs
The Caterpillar D8 has 1,200 rated revolutions per minute. This means its engine's crankshaft can continuously complete a maximum of 1,200 rotations each minute.
Power Output
According to TractorData.com, the Nebraska Tractor Test 711 of 1959 concluded that the Caterpillar D8 is capable of generating 177 horsepower, or 132.0 kilowatts. A single unit of horsepower is equivalent to 500 foot-lbs. per second of work, or 745.7 watts.
Transmission
The Caterpillar D8 has a manual--as opposed to automatic--transmission, which means you must manually shift into different operation settings or gears. The tractor has a total of 10 gears, of which five are for moving forward and five are moving in reverse.
Battery
To power its electrical components, such as its ignition, the Caterpillar D8 tractor utilizes a six-volt battery.
Fuel Capacity
The Caterpillar D8's fuel storage tank has a maximum capacity of 57 gallons.
Dimensions
The Caterpillar D8 is 186 inches long, 101 inches wide and 84 inches tall. This is equal to approximately 15.5 feet long by 8.4 feet wide by 7 feet tall, or 472 cm by 256 cm by 213 cm.
Weight
The Caterpillar D8 tractor weighs 36,520 lbs. or 16,565 kilograms.
Tracks
Both the left- and right-side wheel tracks of the Caterpillar D8 are 84 inches long, or about 213 cm.
References
Writer Bio
Erik Devaney is a writing professional specializing in health and science topics. His work has been featured on various websites. Devaney attended McGill University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in humanistic studies.
