Contact Matt at Diesel Creek for information on the 977 for help with figuring out how to find parts and repair. He's very knowledgeable and loves old iron.

Two things come to mind for this project- 1) availability of a decently priced final drive (probably used) 2) having either a crane, forklift, excavator, etc to be able to split the track and lift the final out. I’m not saying that it can’t be done otherwise, but it’s extremely dangerous without the right equipment. This loader is a good candidate to be fixed (way better than that old cable dozer you worked on before), and I’d love to see you fix it up if possible.

I'm no Cat expert, but I am a farmer and logger and have run and fixed a lot of old iron. Right there you have a pretty heavy duty hydraulic jack to get the front end free and clear a couple of feet off the ground and run some railroad ties or steel I beams right through just a bit off center front to back. Then just ease her down off the loader bucket and let her set on the beams with the track a few inches off the ground. Not ideal, but a field fix, so you can get the track apart and laid out and start unbolting the rest...worst case just clock her up and dig out under the track to get some airspace. At least dirt digs, concrete is hard to shovel out. If you get the drive off and apart, you may be able to have shafts, gears, etc built up and remachined at a machine shop cheaper than buying new at Cat dealer. or find a scrap drive and get the parts you need. But I'm just a farmer.

The idea is you get a few machines, so you have enough parts to keep one running!

I would think that even if it cost 10,000 dollars, you would still be ahead . That's if you have the extra to invest in it! It's a mean machine. Thanks for the video.

1st thanks for serving,!!! 2nd great music,!!! 3rd if it sounds to good to be true, well lll 4th great video!!!

That machine brings back memories. I ran one just like it i 1973 and 73. I was 19 years old and I thought that was the greatest thing. I would see if I could find a used final drive and fix it. The rest of the machine seen pretty good. Chuck ACMOC member

Down on the fuel pump on the right hand side, normally there will be a little oblong plate about 1'' by 3/4; with two screws in there will be the sevice meter with the hours.

Still cheaper than owning a boat!

Nice work. Hang in there.

Found your channel on the Will it start on this 977 from a youtube suggested video. Sub'd and will start watching.

Well, as an observer sitting on the sidelines, based on what problems we know about, I'd say replacing the rs final would be a great start. There are some unknowns here, hopefully no ugly surprises, but I would say that you have a keeper that needs some love and some effort. The thing about any machine, much less an old one, is that they will always need. Always need effort (labor), and always need parts. If you are diligent with the effort, it can forestall the need for parts. Of course, fluids can fall under the "parts" category, but fluids are not designed to last forever. Keeping fluids clean and at the intended level can help keep parts from prematurely wearing out and failing. Grease and oils are cheaper than rebuilding, but it's inevitable that parts will be required as the hours mount up. I hope you move forward with the project. I love to see machines live on and on.

I wouldn’t hesitate fixing that machine. There great old loaders, I don’t think you’ll go wrong.

Carry a spare fuel filter - if the Fuel Pressure Gauge starts heading into the Red - she's getn ready for a fresh filter !1- a Filter Strap and Ratchet is needed or your Belt from round your waist to remove the filter. The Hour Meter i believe is on the Fuel Pump. Under the fuel pump is a Banjo /Thumb Wheel - unscrew it to find a Gauze fuel filter which get gummed up.

Awesome!!!!!!

Other than the final damage witch is bad enough I believe she's worth repairing she seems to still have plenty of life left in her.

What are you worried about the air filter for when you need a final drive

That machine should be worth the money to repair it, especially with the amount you paid for it.

I enjoy watching these type videos of getting equipment running and going again but I would not have a clue how to fix large equipment like that.

Why would you buy a new air filter if it’s going to be a parts machine. Also, the way you were talking at the end I feel like you have already decided to fix it, so in that case I’ve subbed so I can watch the repairs. Cheers, Stuart 🇦🇺

If you need the machine and it’s cheaper to repair than to purchase one that’s in operating condition then it’s worth fixing.

You'll need a 50 ton puller press to fix sprocket plus a strong back and a thick wallet. The rest of the under carridge?? LD18 had to replace the Torque converter on his 977 that was a a bigg job too.

If you can find parts that can be refurbished at a good price it might be worth it

The hour meter is probably on the engine. Look towards the front of the block on either side.

Hay gentlemen there's a heavy equipment part yard in cold springs tex they might have the parts your looking for and there's others but the in the northeast I would guess because I saw snow on the tube just thought it might help

Worth saving, try to find a scrap parts machine to keep costs down on parts. Your machine looks tidy apart from the obvious faults . Its fixable though

You're all over the place! As shiny as the bottom rollers and rails are that moved way too much before you started checking fluids! Get after the right final and you will have a machine.

Well I watched your first video in your second video you still haven't stated the obvious, the right hand drive is the original drive on it, someone has already changed the left-hand sprocket and hub assembly if you notice it has sprocket segments on it and the other one is still an old original spoke wheel. I would definitely bust that side open that's locked up and dry before I spent any money whatsoever. If all of that crap is rusted shut just close it up and parted out. Don't fall in love with that engine cranking right away, because that's the cheapest part of the whole dozer. I have a 977, although a lot newer, it's a mid 1980s model and those old loader dozers get these hell ran out of them in short burst. Somebody pulls into a rock pit they crank it up cold gap wide open for five minutes loading the truck and go kill it. Not like a dozer where it's cranked up in the morning and runs all day long at a constant temperature and RPM

Fix it it's expensive to buy a new machine it's a classic collection item.

the price of new machine is over 100k if you can fix for 10k would be good

Hit up Matt at Diesel Creek.

You could be like the federal government and not let the amount of money you spend stop your project !! Although you sound way to intelligent to take that approach anyway.

Dig a hole under the left final drive, large enough to fit an oil drain pan. No forklift is needed. BTW. Keep it. Or sell it outright. Don't part it out. To much labor involved by doing that. Fix it or sell it.

Fix it , it’s not that big of deal it will last you a lifetime got to have concrete to jack it up . If you had engine problems different story. Go for it. I use to operate a977 many years ago it’s strong and dependable and made a lot of money with no problems but it was new so fix her right !Go

fix the bloody thing , if i wasn't so far away id love to help ya boss.

So are you saying the LARGE PAPERWEIGHT is a work in progress or parts machine! Tear down sell as parts,if engine is okay you are doing well PILGRIMS ??

Think it may be cheaper to use it as parts and buy another.

I would get a hold of a company called general gear they may have all the parts you need at a reasonable price

1961 build

Sad but parts machine

Might have to have a left and right, this is what it sounds like so far, the way you're talkin.

It needs to be at least stripped down to find out what is truly bad and what can be fixed before any definite plans are made

Let us know what kind of costs you estimate to get her functional. Whats scrap metal worth these days?

Fixer up

It runs good. I'd fix it.

And I though Ford trucks were hassle!

Fix it

Where is this machine located approximately?

ITS ONLY MONEY. FIX IT UP THEN SELL IT.

It was free so fix it

Why you are spending t8me and money on service parts like air filter when you have a Bluetooth right hand drive is beyond me.

It’s confusing when you say awesome news , which should be good news, but when you say awesome news, you really mean bad news That’s confusing 🤔