Caterpillar D2
The Caterpillar D2 is a tractor produced by Caterpillar. It is equipped with a 252 ci 4.1 L engine. The listed engine power is 29 hp 21.6 kW. Transmission: 5 forward and 1 reverse. Drive type: crawler. Operating weight: 7420 lbs (1939) 3365 kg.
Engine Power
29 hp
21.6 kW
Drive & Traction
crawler
Fuel & Capacities
Diesel
Transmission
5 forward and 1 reverse
Operating Weight
7420 lbs (1939)
3365 kg
Overview
 | 1938 - 1957
Agricultural Crawler tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Caterpillar |
Agricultural Crawler tractor | |
Built in Peoria, Illinois, USA | |
Caterpillar D2 Transmission | |
|---|---|
5-speed gear | |
Transmission details ...  |
Caterpillar D2 Power | |
|---|---|
Drawbar (tested) | 36.62 hp
27.3 kW |
PTO (tested) | 32.9 hp
24.5 kW |
Belt (tested) | 41.86 hp
31.2 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Drive | crawler |
Steering | mechanical clutches |
Open operator station. | |
Dimensions & Tracks | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7420 to 8536 pounds |
12-inch tracks | |
Full dimensions and tracks ...  | |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
Product Line published in 1953, by Caterpillar | |
Owner's report: on Caterpillar Farm Tractors published in 1949 | |
Built for the farm published in 1954, by Caterpillar | |
Easier, More Profitable Farming published by Caterpillar | |
Farming on the contour published in 1954, by Caterpillar | |
Diesel D2 Tractor published by Caterpillar |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
Caterpillar 3.6L 4-cyl diesel | |
Caterpillar 4.1L 4-cyl diesel |
Engine Detail — 221 ci / 3.6 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Caterpillar |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 221 ci
3.6 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.75x5.00 inches
95 x 127 mm |
Rated RPM | 1525 |
Torque | 125 lb-ft
169.5 Nm |
Torque RPM | 1050 |
Engine Detail — 252 ci / 4.1 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Caterpillar |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 252 ci
4.1 L |
Bore/Stroke | 4.00x5.00 inches
102 x 127 mm |
Compression | 18.5:1 |
Rated RPM | 1525 (early) |
1650 (late) | |
Starter type | gasoline pony motor |
Transmission
Transmission — 5 forward and 1 reverse gear
Type | gear |
Gears | 5 forward and 1 reverse |
Clutch | dry disc |
 | |
Dimensions
Caterpillar D2 Tracks | |
|---|---|
Width | 12 inches
30 cm |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Length | 108 inches
274 cm |
Height | 57.5 inches
146 cm |
Weight | 7420 lbs (1939)
3365 kg |
8536 lbs (1955)
3871 kg | |
Gauge | 40 inches
101 cm |
Gauge | 50 inches
127 cm |
Tests
Tractor Tests | |
|---|---|
NTTL 322: 251 diesel 5-speed crawler | |
NTTL 418: 252 diesel 5-speed crawler | |
NTTL 553: 252 diesel 5-speed crawler |
Nebraska Tractor Test 322 | |
|---|---|
251 diesel 5-speed crawler
July 24 - August 4, 1939
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 322 file | |
Belt power (max) | 30 hp
22.4 kW |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 27.5 hp
20.5 kW |
Fuel use | 2.1 gal/hour
7.9 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 25.2 hp
18.8 kW |
Gear 1 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 5,903 lbs
2677 kg |
Nebraska Tractor Test 418 | |
|---|---|
252 diesel 5-speed crawler
July 11 - 26, 1949
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 418 file | |
Belt power (max) | 36.02 hp
26.9 kW |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 32.9 hp
24.5 kW |
Fuel use | 2.4 gal/hour
9.1 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 30.31 hp
22.6 kW |
Gear 2 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 6,778 lbs
3074 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 553 | |
|---|---|
252 diesel 5-speed crawler
July 25 - 30, 1955
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 553 file | |
Belt power (max) | 41.86 hp
31.2 kW |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 29 hp
21.6 kW |
Fuel use | 2.7 gal/hour
10.2 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 36.62 hp
27.3 kW |
Gear 2 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 7,413 lbs
3362 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Caterpillar D2 with dozer blade.
Caterpillar D2 with dozer blade.
Caterpillar D2 with dozer blade.
Caterpillar D2.
Caterpillar D2.
Orchard model Caterpillar D2.
Orchard model Caterpillar D2.
Orchard model Caterpillar D2.
Orchard model Caterpillar D2.
Tail-seat Caterpillar D2.
Tail-seat Caterpillar D2 operator station and controls.
Tail-seat Caterpillar D2 operator station and controls.
Tail-seat Caterpillar D2 operator station and controls.
Caterpillar D2
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Caterpillar D2 based on its 29 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 1 to 2 Bottom (12")1 - 2 铧 (30 cm) | Light Duty | Ideal for garden plots and light sandy soil. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 5 ft (60 in)1.5 m | Medium Duty | Pasture maintenance and weeds up to 1.5" diameter. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 54 to 60 in135 - 150 cm | Medium Duty | Thorough seedbed preparation in orchards and vegetable plots. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 5 to 6 ft (16-18" discs)1.5 - 1.8 m (40-45 cm 耙片) | Light Duty | Small acreage soil break-up and secondary aeration. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Caterpillar D2.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 1.8 hrs
Approximately 1.8 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (2.7 gal / 10.2 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~1.5 gal/hr (5.7 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Caterpillar D2 Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Caterpillar D2.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)29 hp
Kilowatts (kW)21.6 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)29.4 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Caterpillar D2 against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Caterpillar
Caterpillar D2
Engine Power:29 hp
21.6 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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