Balaton Modell BM7238 D-9 R armoured dozer (IDF version)

Caterpillar D9 is a modern American heavy bulldozer manufactured for the civil market. The first prototypes of the vehicle were made in 1954. In the same year, serial production started and continues to this day. The car is powered by an engine C18 ACERT with 464 HP (D9T version) or 3408 HEUI with 474 HP (D9R version). As a standard, the vehicle does not have any factory-fitted weapons.

The Caterpillar D9 series bulldozers (including the D9R model) are one of the most popular construction machines of this type in the USA. They are characterized by considerable maximum engine power, very high mechanical reliability and relatively low operating costs. These elements meant that they were used by American troops, among others during the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975). Vehicles of this type, especially the D9T and D9R models, were also purchased by the Israeli armed forces and deeply modified. The changes consisted in installing a different engine, adding armor to protect against small caliber weapons and older generations of anti-tank grenade launchers. The panes were also made of glass providing protection against small-caliber fire. The changes also concerned the installation of specialized sapper equipment. Israel's Armed Forces have been using modified Caterpillar D9 bulldozers since 1956 to the present day. They managed to take part in many conflicts, including the Six-Day War (1967), the Yom-Kippur War (1973) and the operations in southern Lebanon (1982).