The latest Diesel Creek episode follows Matt as he brings a 1959 Allis-Chalmers HD11 dozer back to life. The machine has been sitting for nearly a year among other equipment on his property, waiting for attention.
This video documents each stage of the process: checking the idler and tracks, inspecting the components, topping up the fluids, and attempting the first start. After years of rest, the diesel finally roars back to life, proving once again that old iron still has heart.
Old Iron 1959 HD11 Specs:
Built in 1959, the Allis-Chalmers HD11 was no lightweight. Weighing close to 28,000 pounds and powered by a six-cylinder diesel delivering around 130 horsepower, it stood in the same class as the Caterpillar D6.
Matt begins by inspecting the idler and track system, finding it loose and worn from years of rest. He checks every vital fluid, only to discover the engine is bone-dry and needs new oil before any attempt at starting.
After draining the sludge and refilling both the engine and transmission, he connects batteries and cautiously cranks the diesel over. The old machine sputters, coughs, and finally comes to life in a burst of smoke and clatter — proof that even after decades of stillness, heavy iron can breathe again.
This HD11 represents an important chapter in construction equipment evolution. Allis-Chalmers machinery helped build America’s mid-century infrastructure boom. See the entire mechanical resurrection process in the complete video documentation.
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Watch the full technical process of firing up a 20-year-abandoned John Deere Model 40 Dozer!