TD-18A opinions

Brianjbell · Mar 16, 2017

All, found a TD-18A locally. Farmer hasn't used it in a couple of years. Needs batteries for sure. Also needs a cable on the blade lift. 1952 model. Comes with owners and shop manuals. He's asking less
than scrap price for it. I would have to pay to have it hauled half way across SC if I got it. Want to get opinions on the machine before I jump in on it. I have 21 acres and definitely could use it to do
some cleaning up from where we did some logging 3 years ago. All opinions appreciated.

dpendzic · Mar 16, 2017

undercarriage is by far the most costly to replace--you need to check the track stretch over 5 pins.condition of the bushings,idlers,sprockets rollers and rail depth to get an idea how worn out it is

jm. · Mar 17, 2017

That is a good looking 65 year old machine. That being said I personally would not haul it home for it but then that is me. I have had a lot of experience with those machine. More than likely it will have a cracked head and sputter and spit when cranked but clean up after hot. That is not a big deal. Really too big if you just have cleaning up to do. Lack of tilt on the blade then being cable control limits what you can do. However if just knocking around is what you want could get some piles made. Over all they were not bad machines. If you get it more than likely the cable control will need to be adjusted, have lots of experience there so keep my e mail.. Let me know if you get it. You will need to master the art of starting on gas and switching to diesel as that is how the engine works.

Janicholson · Mar 20, 2017

Owned one in the late 70s. Spent 300 hours on it. The cable systems work, but can be very tiring in an 8 hour day. If it runs on all cylinders within one minute of starting, it will work for you. They are brutes. (ours had a TD20 engine). It will push a full blade of soil in 2nd gear. It has no power anything except the tracks. Manual track clutches (about 16 driven 15 drive plates) and band track brakes. I believe it will create a new sense of physical fitness in the operator. It will take down and remove the stump of a 14 inch oak tree in 2 passes. 25,000 pounds or so with blade 690CID.6 cylinder (IIRC) Jim

TD-18A opinions

Brianjbell

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dpendzic

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jm.

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Janicholson

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