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Did you work with Caterpillar D8 Bulldozer? According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, it allegedly contained asbestos. Here is what it was, who was exposed, and who is responsible. Caterpillar D8 Bulldozer, sold from 1935 until late the 1980s. The Caterpillar D8 crawler bulldozer allegedly used asbestos-containing brake bands and steering-clutch friction material in its drivetrain, according to publicly filed asbestos litigation records. Allegedly incorporated chrysotile-asbestos brake bands, steering-clutch friction discs, and transmission-clutch linings in the D8 crawler tractor drivetrain, based on publicly filed asbestos litigation records. Workers allegedly exposed around this product included Heavy-Equipment Operators, Operating Engineers (IUOE), Heavy-Equipment Mechanics, and Construction Laborers. Asbestos claims are brought against the companies that made the products. If you worked with or around Caterpillar D8 Bulldozer and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer. This is educational information from an independent publisher — not a law firm — and is not legal advice.
Product Description
The Caterpillar D8 was one of the most widely deployed heavy crawler bulldozers on North American construction, logging, mining, and public-works projects from the mid-1930s through the late 1980s. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the D8 drivetrain allegedly incorporated woven and molded chrysotile-asbestos brake bands on the steering clutches, asbestos-lined transmission clutch discs, and asbestos friction blocks on the service brakes. Replacement bands and linings were allegedly supplied through Caterpillar dealer parts channels and aftermarket friction houses for decades.
Workers Exposed
Operators, field mechanics, and dealer-shop technicians allegedly encountered airborne asbestos fibers during routine steering-clutch adjustments, brake-band replacement, and clutch-pack teardowns. Compressed-air blow-out of the clutch housing — a standard field practice — allegedly aerosolized worn friction dust into the operator cab and mechanic breathing zone. IUOE operating engineers, heavy-equipment mechanics, construction laborers on grading crews, and road-construction workers all allegedly worked around D8 tractors on highway, dam, pipeline, and strip-mine jobs.