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Riley, in future attach a chainblock to the excavator bucket. It gives you much more controlwhen lifting and lowering slowly and safety is improved drastically.

Coming from an old guy like me, I am glad to see your independence in DIY repairs. Riley you remind me of me about 50 years ago. Glad to see you guys foster that. Gives me hope that all is going to be well in the future.

I never expected this to be a heavy equipment repair channel. But you were able to safely get everything out, checked out, fixed, and replaced. Pretty cool, even if that's some of the dirtiest work ever. I can't wait to see what's next, it's like every week you're learning something new and unexpected

Riley has some serious skills. Legendary courage and effort.

A $50 selection of gaskets and seals handled professionally by a $1,000,000 TEAM hopefully solved your problem forever. Riley's stick to-it-ness and Courtney's precision handling of the tractor was amazing. Glad to see Courtney's parents "Supervising" was nice too. Can't wait to see you pushing rocks and dirt and trees soon too. God Bless. Stay Safe!

You guys are amazing. At some point you will have that 60 year old dozer completely rebuilt. The many thousands of dollars you have saved doing the labor yourselves makes it all cost effective and worth it. You are so fortunate to have the mechanical and research skills to make it all happen. You are right Riley, every thing is heavy on those big beasts. So glad you have the excavator for lifting. Riley, please warn us the next time you take your shirt off, so we can put our sun glasses on.....dang! 😁

There is a huge sense of relief when you can return to service a broken machine, nice work.

Riley, glad to see your abandoning your 'reckless' nickname - great job on a tough repair. A few suggestions that may help in the future: always use forged eyebolts (or at least weld it shut); a grade 8 bolt and washers to secure the chain to the eyebolt (wont slip out like your hook did); using a chainfall suspended by a beam across the top of the FOPS is much more controllable (and a lot less work) than FOPS removal and a second person to run an excavator (also much safer - less likely to loose a finger); use the chainfall for lighter stuff too (like the pedal assembly and u-joint) to line it up faster, and help prevent damage to parts and hands); always use a nut (or a soft deadbolt hammer) to save those high quality cat pins/bolts; replace old hoses when opening up inaccessible areas or draining hydro fluid for other repairs; use lock-tite (or nylocks); get a few rattle-cans of cat yellow paint to touch-up scratches and welds (fight back against corrosion); repair your seat (so it doesn't tear yours up); don't operate without a belt on; install some good mirrors (helps keep you in better position to control the machine)... Good on you for: new fluid and cleaning all strainers; cleaning up with a pressure washer before disassembly, and covering parts and dirt entry points while unassembled. NOTE: if you must use your excavator as a hoist take the bucket off to: increase lifting reserve force, make it less likely to drop by inadvertently curling the bucket, less likely for a chain to slip, and greatly improves visibility and clearance. Note on note: if you insist on using excavator (with bucket on) as a hoist, weld on a good chain attach point to bolt a chain to your bucket where it cannot slip, jerk, or bind even if the bucket curl function get activated. Thanks for posting your road making progress. You guys made smart decisions to buy a big used machine to get more done. Even though you have had to take a lot of time to make repairs, your way ahead of where you would be using your mini ex.

I don’t think you two have limits but more stages, sign posts, markers but your sense of humour, fearlessness and hard word carries you through.

I agree, you kids certainly have more patience than I do! Your patience in fact makes me really look forward to a new episode. If you kids have not introduced yourselves to Matt at diesel Creek he would be an absolute library of knowledge for you to tap into. You can just find him at diesel Creek.

That was a tough repair! Hats off to you, Riley! I'm hoping this was just a temporary setback and you two can get back to realizing your dream! You earned my subscription with this one!

The cage is for logging, it’s to make sure no trees destroy the engine or the operaptor

Riley, you are now the look of a certified construction equipment technician. You did a super job changing the torque converter on that old dozer. You did a masterful job repairing that machine. I am super impressed! Keep the maintenance up on that old dozer and, it will do you a good job

I have no words. It takes a special kind of patience to do that kind of heavy lifting. I am a mechanic and I would have turned the air blue a long time ago. Great work "Team"!!

I am really proud of you two!! You have tackled HUGE repairs with this D8! Courtney is getting to be a master equipment operator the way she runs that excavator! And Riley tackles repairs and projects that give fits and bad dreams to mechanics and operators with years of experience! Hang in there you two, you will come out ahead!

It's insane how you both stay happy and joking through this whole process. I'll take two of whatever you're on.

Riley, no matter what happens you always look like you are having fun. Courtney is always there for support and to pitch in, plus keep you on the right track.

I love to see how well you guys work together. We have been married 40 years this year and I think the reason is being able to communicate and finding the fun in each others company even as things seem to be going wrong. I see those traits in you guys too. Keep working at enjoying your relationship as you work through all these seeming setbacks. They are actually opportunities to build feelings of survival and trust you can't get any other way. I am truly amazed at y'all.

Having grown up in a family of mechanics I'm genuinely impressed. That repair is no small feat and doing it with basic tools aside from the excavator is impressive.

Riley, you are what every DIYer should aspire to. This has become my favorite channel.

Hey Riley, I think that you have done a fine job with the repairs to your D8. I have had the same exact thing happen to both my 8 & 9. By the time I did the second tractor I found an enormous short cut. I just pulled the sun gear and re-sealed it and I didn’t have to pull the entire converter. Good job and your gal is invaluable helping you with these headaches. This is just part of equipment ownership. At one time I owned 23 pieces of equipment and heavy trucks. To this day I question my sanity for getting so big. Good luck. Al

I get so jealous watching you 2 work in such a positive way. You guys are doing such a great job. Every time something breaks and doesnt go right, its awsome to watch you guys never letting that get you down. Keep it up. keep smiling and thanks for sharing your life with us all.

your mechanic skills are off the charts for a man who wears many hats. you two produce something. you are not paper pushers. you will succeed at whatever you do.

As a mechanic (automotive) I am SO impressed with your skill and determination to: A.. tackle this monster, and B. power through the learning curve and problem solving it took to get this sucker fixed! Congratulations!!

You guys have such patience. It always amazes me.

Most Excellent!!! Riley has an outstanding mechanical aptitude!!! From watching this one, it is Great to see that Riley understands Courtney's equipment operations abilities and doesn't give her tons of undue (obvious) signals while she is driving. A few things I noted were, I didn't see Riley do this one but while removing parts and stepping down on the tracks with them in hand reminded me of something I witnessed while in the service. No matter how strong one feels or safe, never Ever jump down from any height with an object (of weight) in your hands, it can destroy your back. Saw a coworker jump off a tailgate with a can of 50 cal in his hands.. he was medically discharged the following month.. Be Safe, Work Smart. If you need to hammer a bolt (on the thread side) whenever possible install a nut leaving only a small gap for movement, then hammer the whizzbang out of it. Without the nut, damaging the threads can lead to more heartache than its worth. Something I learned during my years working with/in hydraulics is, when you get your shirt/pants splattered with oil, it really is an easy fix, simply remove the item and dip the whole thing in the same oil and wring it out really good, hang it over some newspaper for a few days to free drip then, wash it at first by hand with dishwashing soap (Dawn). This way the whole shirt is one color instead of all splattery looking and you don't have to throw it away. Along these lines (not sure of your time line) remove the item and wash off as soon as you can, oils and especially hydraulic fluid can seal the skin pours and cause damage/burning. You Guys are Great, Love watching your channel

just amazes me that you two will tackle anything and everything......great team work....

So happy you had the less expensive problem and were able to fix it.

Hats off to Riley!! Doing this kind of job is really taxing mentally and physically. Reading manuals watching tutorials correlating the details to your case and keep working! Great great job you guys!! You are the best. Keep it up! And keep creating awesome content!!😄

I have been a Operating Engineer for over 40 years. (retired after 35)I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I am with all you guys have done! Riley’s skills as a dozer hand with no experience is quite remarkable. Courtney’s skills as a excavator operator are we equally impressive. I spent most of my Career on a service truck for companies large and small working on older stuff like your dozer actually had a D 9 with a pony motor if I could make one suggestion how you could save quite a bit of money is that the hydraulics transmission and engine all can use 15/40 weight oil you don’t need to buy the caterpillar brand oil. Thanks for all of the great content I look forward to your videos every week.

Both of you did all that precision jostling without a chain fall(s) is amazing. Well done!

I'm having fun watching you do what only 1 in a million people can do. Your doing the ultimate YT repair job.

Great Job!!! Put and new seat beat on it and use it especially on slopes and hills .It can save your life! A dozer can throw you out the seat also if you go over something just right. The ROP is made to take the weight of the dozer if it rolls. Not suppose to cut or weld on it so repair it good!! I run heavy equipment all the time and use my seat belt. Had a friend that said he would jump if he ever rolled his and one day he rolled it off a road bank and jumped. It almost rolled on him killing him but just got his leg and broke all the bones in his leg. He now has permanent injuries from not using the seat beat. Only time you should jump is its falling off a cliff and you would probably die anyway but then you probably should have never been in that spot in the first place. Watch videos of people doing stupid stuff on heavy equipment and that will stay in the back of your mind and when you think your about to mess up your probably right!

I can't help but think how much fun it will be for you to watch these videos when you're old and gray. Challenges like these. When handled as you two do. make the best memories.

That machine is worth its weight in gold!!!~~~....its worth fixing!!...CONGRATS GOOD JOB U2!!!!

Love the show with all the great content! My fav line in this episode….” Im pretty sure I’ve spent more time fixing it, than operating an woking it” LAMAO!! I’m super impressed with your dig in and get things fixed attitude!

Hats off to the both of you for keeping your cool and thinking your way through. Also special mention for Riley for sticking to it despite the grease and mess.

I am so impressed by the determination in both of you

Smile on Riley's face at end says it all worth it 🙂

When using a machine like a backhoe or loader to lower heavy assemblies in position, consider using a chain fall. This gives you more precise control while raising and lowering from where they load is. Instead of relaying commands to. The machine operator. You can lower it by fractions of an inch without any jerking or bouncing.

You guy are incredibly ambitions digging into a big piece of machinery like that, very impressive. You both work so well together. I am glad it was only a small part that was broken and not something super expensive.

The pair of you are amazing, neither of the tasks was easy, running the excavator or rebuilding that transmission, both were essential, you both contributed to the success. You worked with great care and patience, so well done to both of you. I never could have done such work, and certainly not at my present stage of life. Well done.

Every video you both continue to impress me with your DIY skills. Keep up the awesome work!

I am impressed with your skills. Don't get discouraged. You are getting the bugs out.

Honestly, kudos to you both for getting in and having a go. If you had paid someone to use their dozer to do the same job it would cost more than what you have spent so far. And you get to keep the equipment after this job is completed! Never regret taking a chance on doing it yourself, you get more results and great memories of the events that happen in life.

Riley your determination and gumption and positivity really comes through here. Some people may not realize how ambitious a project like this is to do - especially on camera!

Working on things to keep them running is part of the fun and also rewarding.

GOOD CATCH ON THE SHIFTER KNOB COURTNEY, GREAT WORK THAT'S WHAT KEPT ME FROM A OLD D8 WITH A PONY STARTER WARN FINAL DRIVE AND PARTS ARE HARD TO FIND...I WOULD CALL A CAT OR PAPE DEALER WHO KNOWS THE OLD BULLDOZERS FOR HIS ADVICE N WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WHILE IT IS OUT

I can't say it enough, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! Great job and perseverance!

You two are freaking amazing! Nothing gets you down! You just put your shoulders in to it and carry on.

New to the channel and really enjoying what you do. One safety tip: please remove your wedding ring when doing this type of work. If something catches it (like when the torque converter fell) it will remove your finger from your hand.

Very impressive repair. THE Best combination of engineering skills, fortitude, mechanical skills and a great red-headed partner on KZfaq. Well done Riley, you are awesome. - from a 76 year old engineer turned housebuilder when he realized sitting behind a screen at age 50 was a death sentence.

Courtney is one heck of an excavator operator.

I can’t tell you guys how impressed I am at your tenacity. I’m a retired heavy equipment operator. I’ve certainly operated my share of old pieces of equipment. Great job you two! It’s those kinds of repairs that send those old dozers to their grave. I look forward to that thing pushing dirt again!

I enjoyed it more the second time watching. You are the TEAM!!!!! WELL DONE Team, Casey!!!! LLLLLL!!

You people are amazing. You bring a whole new meaning to "Here, hold my coffee" as you go about tackling so many things you have never done before. I think you are clearly qualified to do nearly anything with nearly nothing to work with. You are an inspiration to all of the off grid and DIY people. Greatly enjoy all of your videos. Thanks Steven

Fantastic job, Riley. Courtney was a big help too.

It's great to be so mechanically inclined . Saves so much money. Great job.

Hat’s off to you Riley, for a job we’ll done, for someone with little Heavy Machinery Knowledge you have done an Amazing job. Here down under you are a true Bush Mechanic.

Riley, you are an amazing person and are not afraid of attacking any task. Courtney, thank you for being such a good support with assisting Riley. He would not be able to do any of this without you. Another fantastic video. I look forward for your next one.

Riley, you have my respect! That was a huge job to undertake as a professional mechanic, much less doing it as a crash training course and doing it in the dirt with minimal tools. There's no doubting your initiative, for sure! Congrats on the win!

I really like your show. I’ve been around heavy equipment my entire life and this is just how it goes. Please keep up the awesome work.

One big advantage with a 60y old dozer... No crazy electronics

Wow, what a dozerfest. Impressed with all the skills. Here's to it playing nice from here on out.🤞

I told ya there isnt a job too big for the two of you, great job guys! Who would have thought to do the repair on their own?? Rileys the man.

You guys are the best !! Someone needs a pair of coveralls for Christmas!!

Courtney and Riley: we’re so happy to see that you continue to overcome all these setbacks. As you so aptly demonstrate, your skilled tenacity continues to pay you big dividends.

You are a power couple work through anything Have A Blessed weekend and next week much love from Portland Indiana

That was super impressive Riley!! Wish you both the best of luck and hopefully nothing breaks on the dozer for the rest of summer 🤞🏼!

I continue to be amazed by you two. There doesn't seem to be anything you guys can't handle. Thank you so much for taking the time to record and share this with us. Good luck on the rest of the road rebuild.

Well, I'm pretty impressed with the diagnosis and repair here. "Take the torque converter out of a huge dozer, figure out what's wrong, and fix it". That's intimidating.

Count your blessings, take care and be safe amen.

WOW Riley is a very talented man. What a great team you guys are. I’m excited to see the road building again.

Great job and teamwork on the Cat repairs! Proper eye bolts would have been better for lifting, but gotta use what you can find. Like another had said, chainfalls give better control, less chance of lost fingers. The more you work on the dozer, the more you'll learn about it. Getting bigger tools, and cleaning as you go are all going to pay off later. Looking forward to more dozer content! Hopefully you'll get road in good shape before any more mechanicing!

The look on Riley's face when he go the converter back on. PRICELESS 👍😁

I'll say it again.. Prettiest excavator operator EVER!!!❤❤🥰😃😃

Get a small chain fall hoist for your next heavy repair. I’d have replaced those hydraulic lines that were deep in there. That Bimini is to protect you from falling debris like widowmaker tree limbs. You could have harvested those trees leaving a 3-5 ft stump to push them over. Should you decide to harvest those pushed over proceed with caution as they may be under tension and will prong up or down when cut. Great job folks!

I wana be like Riley when I get older dude is amazing at everything he does props to both of y’all and thnx for sharing your experiences keep up the great content.

RILEY, I KNOW YOUR IN 'BFE', YOU DID ALL THE WRENCHING YOURSELF. WE'D JUST CALL PETERSEN CAT TO DO IT! THUMBS UP!

I had no doughs you’d fix it, Riley is very talented at mechanical stuff. 👍👍

I have to admit your both impressive and the way your repairing this machine is a credit to both of you. Keep up the good work. Im really enjoying the vids

I love the old cat dozers but they can get very hard to work on especial in the winter good work guys 👍👍

A tip for Heavy lifting with chain, bailing wire the hook so with random slack it can't fall off. Love your stuff! Thanks for sharing and please keep it coming.

This is why my boss used to rent them …. Too big a bill for EVERYTHING , you guys sure do go out of your way for some crazy content …. 😂you are awesome

The most perfect couple and you two compliment each other so much. Riley get that road in! Concrete in before winter and I wish y’all all the good fortune in all you do

Impressive! Riley is not your average shade tree mechanic and whether by luck or good planning to only bust a knuckle is great. Courtney has serious skills with the mini-ex and being able to make tiny moves blind is tricky. Glad you got it fixed and it was the $50 part. The $800 in fluid had to hurt.

One comment, one question, one marvel. For Riley; Perseverance pays off!!! and How do you stay so humble when you're so good ... and Courtenay; Your talent isand that you simply lift where you stand. And ... Oliver, you wonderful gift of Love, entertain Mom, Dad and the dogs with lots of your Shenanigans. Please remember to play as hard as you work; with purpose, pleasure and intent. God bless.

Riley, you are the man! You are very impressive!

Riley, you're one heck of a "bush" mechanic! To remove and reset your torque converter in a dozer that size, by yourself is remarkable. I have a Dresser TD7 dozer, which is smaller than yours, that took three of us two days to pull, fix and replace. I figured that I worked 34 hours getting it done on a concrete pad in front of my shop.

Impressive repair!💪 I had as big a smile on my face as you did!😃 Another plus on the old dozer is there is so much information available on their problems and how to fix them. Several videos ago you asked how to clean Double Wide. You have discovered one of the most effective ways. You wiped that section clean as you repaired it. Mechanics are called grease monkeys for a reason!

you guys and this whole project are awesome. Riley's oily puppy vibes, Courtneys cool cat in the excavator chic.. perfect! 💕

I am just in AWE! This was actually better than watching a movie. 🤩 You two are incredible. Thank you! 🙏 Looking forward to your next vlog❤

Riley deserves a CAT hat for this repair. He is a true CATaholic now. I'm really surprised he was able to do this. Surprised, extremely impressed, and apologetic now for doubting you guys when y'all put the video out about buying the dozer. Awesome, awesome job guys! There should be a seat belt on that machine. I'd highly advise you to install a seat belt so the R.O.P.S. does keep you from getting severely hurt or worse. If you continue to fix the things that break and are worn out on that dozer and service it on a regular basis, every 100 hours; it will run forever. Those older pieces of equipment are so much more reliable when they get older than the newer stuff. Don't get frustrated when it breaks down and give up on it. That dozer will serve y'all well in the future and last forever as long as you take care of it. Excellent video. Stay well. -Wil 👍

Riley is a SUPER HERO!!!! Who knew when you bought the excavator just how critically helpful it would be in the future! Amazing video...

OUTSTANDING! Good job, Riley. Good job, Courtney! Your operating skills help Riley more than you will ever know. I cringe when the fingers and arms get into a sketchy area, but I know it's part of the drill. Keep on keeping on, but please please please never forget to be careful.

So happy for you guys. Cheers. 🍺&🍷

Great teamwork, a good operator on the excavator made lifting and placement of pieces easier. Perspective is important in life, you are still ahead of the road building even with your breakdowns. You are also learning your machine, for your investment you are in the win column, even though it may not seem so at the moment. Thank you for sharing your journey and you life with "Double Wide".

What great attitudes. I know editing is a wonderful thing and don't always smile but you two exude great vibes.Thanks for your efforts and sharing.

One of your BIGGEST jobs is videoing everything you do! Setting up the camera angles, rehearsing certains sequences, and then of course the mammoth job of editing it all into a compelling 30 minute video. Great job to you both!