The 'Nam vets who "raised" me in the Army used to tell stories of how dozer operators were prime targets during the war. I bet a lot of them are loving that one.
We had some up-armored D7s in Afghanistan back in '04-'05. The armor tended to reduce airflow to the engine, so you couldn't run too long before shutting down to let it cool. Plus the first ones didn't have AC for the operator either. Being in a giant armored box in 115 degree weather with no airflow is less than fun. No experience with the D9s though. I wonder how similar they are to the ones the Israelis have been using for years.
The story was adapted as (I think) a made-for-TV movie in the 80s. It was actually a pretty boring flick. And then Steven King stole the idea for one of his knockoffs.
They say that fucker has only 400hp. That seems a little light for something so heavy doing such heavy work.
ReplyDeleteIt ain't the horsepower, it's the torque. And the gearing.
ReplyDeleteThe army might call it a D9. I'd call it the Marvin Heemeyer!
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Heemeyer
ReplyDeleteThey do have a bucketload of torque. I've driven both d7 and d9 dozers, and there isn't much more fun you can have with power equipment.
ReplyDeleteFor pure rubber-smoking tire squealing fun, though, get your hands on a Challenger. It will spin on it's own axis and easily does 55 mph.
http://www.challenger-ag.com/Agco/Challenger/ChallengerNA/TrackedTractors/CH08769_800_900C_Bro_v10March302009.pdf
A train full of what were likely D9 engines delayed me for work today.
ReplyDeleteI should have saluted.
Shootin' Buddy
I'll take two, please.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Nam vets who "raised" me in the Army used to tell stories of how dozer operators were prime targets during the war. I bet a lot of them are loving that one.
ReplyDeleteWe had some up-armored D7s in Afghanistan back in '04-'05. The armor tended to reduce airflow to the engine, so you couldn't run too long before shutting down to let it cool. Plus the first ones didn't have AC for the operator either. Being in a giant armored box in 115 degree weather with no airflow is less than fun.
ReplyDeleteNo experience with the D9s though. I wonder how similar they are to the ones the Israelis have been using for years.
The title of a Ted Sturgeon novella from - 1944 - in John Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction. (Analog)
ReplyDeleteIt has held up well.
Stranger
Wasn't it a movie as well? Used to run on late night television in the '80s?
ReplyDelete"I'll take two, please"
The boys down the road at Cat will be overjoyed.
Shootin' Buddy
We have a D-10 on one of our projects...powerfull!
ReplyDeleteThere is a D-11 working down the road.
I think the Army's M1 chassis mine clearing plow would be a better Heemeyer special.
ReplyDeleteTruly the EarthFucker mentioned earlier.
ReplyDeleteDoubt I could afford the fuel to have much fun at all. Still...I can dream, can't I?
ReplyDeleteSomebody needs to paint a lop on one, and name it Bun-Bun
ReplyDeleteThe story was adapted as (I think) a made-for-TV movie in the 80s. It was actually a pretty boring flick. And then Steven King stole the idea for one of his knockoffs.
ReplyDelete