Unusual attachments on crawler tractor

[byrdman1312]

I recently saw a CAT D5 that belong to 101ABN. It was equipped with a bulldozer blade with winch on the rear. Besides these "standard" attachments, it also had a large box on top the winch made from expanded metal. The box was about 4ft. X 3 ft. X 3ft., open at the top with some aluminum beams sticking out the top. Also attached to the side, to the left of the operator, was bracket with a smooth tire and wheel. The tire and wheel could easily be lifted off it's bracket.
I've been around military and heavy equipment all my life, and have seen some strange stuff attached to crawler tractors, but these accessories have me stumped.

My first guess is that the wheel was a dolly that attached to the blade so the tractor could be moved with the hydraulics "relaxed" and the blade wouldn't touch the ground. After close inspection I couldn't find anywhere the wheel could be mounted.


Anybody got any info. on this equip. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bighurt]

Pictures would help.

 

[byrdman1312]

You're right, they would. I'll try to get some.

 

[Chief_919]

That is the equipment that allows the D5 to be sectionalized and broken down for airdrop.

The tracks are removed, there is a metal "wheel" that bolts around the drive sprocket, and that wheel goes under the front so the dozer can be driven with no tracks.

Here is picture from the TM to give you some idea.

 

[byrdman1312]

That is the equipment that allows the D5 to be sectionalized and broken down for airdrop.

The tarcks are removed, there is a metal "wheel" that bolts around the drive sprocket, and that wheel goes under the front so the dozer can be driven with no tracks.

Here is picture from the TM to give you some idea.

View attachment 526157

It sure is! I see it now! I've been around airborne all my life, just never saw this set-up. Thanks! I'll use this to amaze my "gearhead" friends.