Classic Caterpillars on the move to a new home

Posted by Chris Graham on 23rd January 2023

We report on the sale and re-location of a notable and interesting classic Caterpillar collection to a new home in Kent.

Classic Caterpillars on the move: The mighty Caterpillar D8K which carries all the later modifications, known as the last of the conventional D8 line that goes back to the 30s. (Pic: Tom Drury)

A ‘secret’ mothballed collection of eight classic Caterpillars – with less than 70 hours on any of them – changed hands in the south-east of England during the latter half of October last year, and has been purchased by the ever-affable Kentish Mark Hellier, a dealer/collector of some repute world-wide.

The Caterpillar D6D features the 3306 140hp engine and is like new! (Pic: Tom Drury)

These eight 1980s classics were bought to be used in a groundwork/pipe-laying business, but only two of the machines were ever used and they were all eventually moth-balled until now!

They all run and look as good as they were when new in 1983. They include a brand-new Caterpillar D8K which carries the later modifications to the engine – turbo, oil coolers, etc – and is an amazing throwback to what this tracklayer was like when new.

Sussex’s finest! The Drury’s Scania is ready to leave. The Caterpillar 235X is something else and has never been used as such. (Pic: Tom Drury)

The ’baby’ D6D is a treat to behold as is the 977L crawler loader with its 190hp Cat 2236 turbocharged engine which is a real eye-opener. The 950 loader has a 3304 157hp engine and can load two metres of material at a time – the bucket hasn’t been used at all! Another gem is the Caterpillar 955L loader which features the D330 130hp turbocharged engine.

The Caterpillar 235X excavator has a Cat 3306 195hp engine and can cut to a depth of 15ft. (Pic: Tom Drury)

The 235X excavator has the Cat 3306 195hp engine, a boom height of 31ft and a vertical cutting depth of 15.5ft, and needed a heavy low-loader to take it away.

Just placing the lead and rear vehicles in place before the heavy haulage loads hit the road. (Pic: Tom Drury)

The transport of the machines to their new home was undertaken by Mark Heiler’s metallic blue Scania outfit and by K Drury & Sons of Etchingham, East Sussex, established in 1985. Its red machines are kept in totally immaculate order, and were called to take the heavier loads to their new destination. We thank Tom Drury for taking the photographs used here, and Mark for allowing us to tell some of the story.

This story comes from the latest issue of Old Glory, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clicking HERE