HD6 Advice

I bought a property and it included an HD6 tractor.  Upon closer inspection, there is a rod sticking through the engine block.

1.  Is this tractor worth fixing?
2. What is the right approach to fixing this....for example, get a short block, send the engine out for a complete rebuild, buy a new engine, etc.
3.  What other problems might this tractor have that I should inspect before dumping $$$ into it?
4.  What year is this tractor?

Looks like a pretty handy sized crawler and seems like it hasn't sat too long.I don't know much about those crawlers and parts availability, but If it was mine, I think I would try to fix it.

I also have the ability to fix this tractor myself, as long as I have the information necessary as is typically found in a shop manual.

split I had several the crawler loader version of that. The later motors had a heaver bottom end than the earlier ones, but the later motors were a even swap. Looks like you will have to remove the brush cab, take the radiator shroud off, pull the radiator, and everything should slide out the front. We removed the motor and tranny together, separated them outside the dozer. It was easier to do that way. While you have them out make sure you adjust the transmission brake before you put everything back together. Its been about 6 years since I did the last one, memory is not good. The belly pan is not too heavy, a good floor jack would be a help. I think the belly pan bolts are fine threaded, kinda keep them separated. I still have some new OEM radiator hose for 1 in the shed.    

Looks like a parts machine to me, undercarriage parts are getting harder to find for those and if yours are in good shape would prolly be the most valuable item.   Post your inquiry on the construction side of this forum and you will get additional help there.

We had a 1956 HD-6 with 4 forward and 2 reverse.

I have a bobcat that can lift the engine, but I doubt it can pull/push the HD6 from its present location.

Here is a picture of the dash, perhaps this will provide additional info for those that are familiar with this HD6.

Have a couple of the described 7000 series engines, gov't surplus

Has to be an earlier one, has the push rod starter on it.

Um!

Would that fan belt in the fuel pump photo be inside out?

Not sure  what that says if so.

Keep it find a government surplus 7000 series motor. Search the forum for posts about the swap. Send a PM to the people who have done the swap and you will find they are more than happy about the results Send me a PM and I can put you in contact with a person that has done the swap and has the HD344 motor he replaced for sale. The 7000 motor from a generator set have been on eBay for as little as $500. I found out about the surplus motors after I invested $3000 on a rebuild of my HD344 motor.

Steering clutches might be stuck. 1 of mine did after I let it sit 2 years due to0 back and arm problems. Next time you are near it, post close up a picture of the sprocket teeth and the large front roller. Is the floor pan, the 1 that your feet rest on somewhere close by? The knob on the upper left of the dash is the fuel shutoff. The long lever leaning forward beside it is the clutch. When you pull it back does it snap good? It should take something like 35 lbs of force to make it snap back, going from bad memory here. If it is like mine it is a 24 volt system, looks like the top to the battery box is off, should be 2 12 volt batterys in it. I wish I could buy a property with 1 on it.   

I figured this was a late 60's early 70's tractor based on its appearance.  Based on the comments so far it seems that this may be a 60 year old tractor.   This is concerning as the people that owned this property, and therefore the tractor, were not the type to maintain equipment.  My bet is they ran the thing without oil or with oil so old that the rod through the block was inevitable.  This would likely also mean that the upper end of the engine has also seen abuse.   Hence a new motor is likely the only answer.
But then this brings into doubt the condition of the rest of the tractor.  

What sort of transmission does this have?
Is it easy to check the fluid condition?

It may be a couple of months until I'm back there again, so I would like to come up with a plan of action so that once I'm  there I can determine how to proceed or not.

I do have someone going to the property next week.  I will have them take a few pictures of the dash.   If there are any other pictures that would help, please let me know.

B26240 wrote: I suggest you see how much is left of the undercarriage. Some can be done by looking such as the bushing condition. A better assessment can be made with a track gauge, try to find one it is a hand held plate cutout and marked to show when held against wear surface of sprockets,idlers, and rollers how much is left. Also measures the rail height and will be marked showing when buildup or replacement is needed.   As I said before if the bottom is good you probably will be ahead selling those parts and haul the rest for scarp. Just my opinion, keep us posted.

I'm just not familiar enough with this tractor or the vocabulary you are using above to make this assessment.   If you can be more specific or if there are videos of these areas being examined or replaced, I would be better able to internalize what you are referring to as "undercarriage".