Opinion on JD 2010

[RogerW]

I have begun the search for a crawler to do some light dozer work and some road maintenance at my place in N.D. I found this 2010 on craigslist and looks like a worthy project. I am a fairly competent mechanic and am not afraid of a project, just don't need another huge project. The seller states:

1952 John Deere 2010 crawler to good home; a little smaller than a D-4 (10,000 Lb unit) all hydraulic with 4 cylinder diesel, six way blade in front deep rippers in back, 8 speed transmission, undercarriage, rebuilt injection pump, injectors and radiator. Does not run and I don't know why.

Seller would like to trade for an old 8N tractor I have.
Does this look like a solid dozer?
Why is there kind of a cupping effect on the tracks where they meet the sprockets?
Looking for some input concerning the shape of the undercarriage and really just anything else the experts might notice.

[hemiracing]

I have the same unit and like mine so well I rebuilt it this winter. For what you are looking to do it will work well.Parts are getting tough to get but it can still be done. It will do a lot more then your tractor... Paul

[Lavoy]

I don't know your 8N, but I would trade as fast as I could get one delivered and the other picked up.
The rails look pretty good, they have been rebushed at some time. Sprockets look good, and a power 6 way, I would already have it home and the Ford gone.
Lavoy

[Tigerhaze]

I can't see photos here at work (blocked) but will try to take a look when I get home. However owning both a 8N and a 2010, I would agree with Lavoy that a complete 2010 crawler with scarifier and 6-way blade is more than a fair deal Just the scarifier is a fair trade

The transmission (not being able to see the pics) is probably a H-L-R.

The weight with the scarifier and blade is probably a little more than 10,000 pounds but will have to look when I get home.

BTW, the year he gave you was incorrect. The diesel 2010 crawlers were manufactured between 1962 and 1965- he probably meant 1962.

[vtjoe]

the tracks look good to me but they appear to be way to tight.

[Tigerhaze]

I finally was able to look at the pics, and it appears to be a solid machine. The right-side rails appear to be just a tad thinner than the left side rails, but otherwise undercarriage looks solid. I do agree that tracks appear to be too tight but that is easily remedied.

The scarifier has teeth in it; my understanding that is hard to come by. I would want to get the hood for it over the fuel tank, but that shouldn't be too big a deal.

What did you decide about the trade?

[RogerW]

Dozer should get delivered this saturday. Tractor will leave here on its way to San Diego. Rebuilt the motor and the other misc components. A few lose ends to square away (still using temp fuel tank) and it is good to go.
Excited to get started on the crawler.

[Lavoy]

Roger,
What part of ND are you in?
Lavoy

[2010in2010]

It looks like a 2010 and I like that. I've had mine for 35 years and I think I want to buried with it. Mine was supposedly junk as the engine smoked (just the pump timing in the end), but I felt differently and made the move. Now, after the years, I dread the fact that parts and related specific knowhow have slowly dwindled over the years. Dealerships with parts won't even go out back to look and see if there is a such and such to help you out. It's great having the web to pick up the pieces. It certainly is an antique, but a muscular one. I can't tell you how many jobs I've done with it. Manure, trees, foundations, septics, roads, stone picking, fun rides, towing spreader trucks, buring stone, fire pits. Only recently has it had engine trouble. It's me, it's been sitting outside with scant cover. I had in NJ for years and towed it to Maine in 1985. It's still there. I am building another house there and it's turned its' back on me this time. All this work for it, but things like water in the crank-case. Can't easily figure why. Maybe thru the exhaust. Water in the fuel tank. That's done over now with Caswells NomoxXXX epoxy used on bike gas tanks. (Permatech). No fire. Humm... my son's an excellent diesel engineer - seagoer. We talked and maybe I'll get lucky and rework the injectors. Buy it and enjoy it. When I came home from work, I could take it out for a ride and not want to poke him before bed-time. Good Luck.

[RogerW]

Walhalla, ND.
A nice little farmatead that I plan to summer at in the next five years or so. Not sure I have the right type of blood for the ND winters

[Lavoy]

Okay, you are a few hours from me, I am SW of Fargo.
Lavoy

[RogerW]

Got the dozer here and it appears to be a solid unit. I did get it started and it ran rough. Noticed there was no water in the radiator so while it was running I slowly added some . Next thing I knew it blew the oil dip stick off of the motor along with the creamy stuff that says "water in the oil". I suppose it might be a head gasket but I believe I will just rebuild the motor as I am making a long term commitment to this machine. What are good sources for rebuild kits? The injector pump was recently rebuilt but it appears the injectors were not touched. Also need a good source to either exchange these out or rebuild them. Lastly anyone have a spare shop manual they want to part with?
Thanks