Rare Early Caterpillar 3 Cylinder RD6 + Killefer Subsoiler With Mole - Part 1

Rare Early Caterpillar 3 Cylinder RD6 + Killefer Subsoiler With Mole - Part 1

The CAT RD6 was an early mid-size diesel tractor, often sold with high speed gearing for agricultural work. Produced as 2H series 1935-1937, but apparently continued rebranded as 2H "D6" until 1941.

To avoid designing a completely new engine, the RD6 used one of the two 3-cylinder blocks from the 6 cylinder RD8 [Citation needed, check casting numbers], with a new crankcase and crankshaft, but common pistons, rods, and other internal components.

Eventually, the 6 cylinder D6 was developed, sharing internal engine components with the 4 cylinder D4. The 6 cylinder D8 continued to share engine internals with the 4 cylinder D7.

Killefer Subsoiler with Mole

Killefer Subsoilers were developed to handle California hardpan. The "Mole", the lump of iron being dragged behind the subsoiler, is its secret weapon, as it disrupts the underlying soil to allow water to move. You can see this happening, as the soil jumps up after the subsoiler has passed.

Escaping A Large Tree Root.

Trip plows and subsoilers have a weakness that they can snag on a large rock or root. Lacking hydraulics, there is no easy way to lift the plow to get past the obstruction. Many trip plows had a spring release drawbar, which would unhitch to avoid damaging the tractor or plow. We have an old JD plow on steel with a spring release drawbar, used with a large loop hitch on the tractor. In many cases, when the plow snagged, the tractor would then drive around back and pull the plow backwards with a chain to free it.

This video shows how to escape a large root without unhitching, if you have a heavy CAT and strong ripper.

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Panasonic FZ-1000

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220813m RD6 Subsoiler Part 1