know it all equipment operator

Nothing a little Alabama Steel and a few 2x4's couldn't fix!

 

I haul a fair amount in and out of our local Cat dealer, mostly stuff that I rent. The yard guys at Cat are not allowed to load equipment, period. Evidently they have had issues in the past. Many drivers have no business being in the equipment, but this way the driver is responsible for damage to the equipment, rather than the operator being responsible for damage to the trailer.

After running various blades since the early 80's, and primarily Cat G and H models, it was a toss up as to whether or not I was the best choice to load the first M that I rented. Joy stick steering was new to me!

 

@Oxbow, We have a 140M & the only real issue I have is you have to be sitting for the hydraulics to work, (unless there is an override I cant find). I still like the older ones better.

 

Usually its just a proxy switch on the seat. Its a safety feature.

 

I'm with you @truckdad, I would have a heck of a time telling you what all the levers on the antler rack do, but my hands know!
I only have about 40 or so hours on an M, but I was starting to get the hang of it. For some reason my mind would not let me just leave the steering joystick in the position selected, i.e. half way to the left on the joystick for half way turning with the tires. I would always center the stick again, and the tires would straighten right out-so...I would have to move the stick to the left again, and on and on. My tracks didn't look too pretty at first.

My apologies, off topic of know-it-all operator.

 

There are a couple different kinds of operators !! LOL !!

The ones that move big piles to other big piles, the one you experienced..

Then theres the surgical operators, digging around live gas lines and fiber optics all day..They can make it up on the bed and keep er there usually...

If its not my trailer, im first clueless as to exaclty where the tie down points are, so im always lookin for some guidance so we can do this crap right the first time..!!! I hate climbin my fat butt back up on a massive excavator, or dozer just to move it 4 inches!!

Sideloading an excavator onto a owner/op trailer is nervewrecking, if he;s there watching

 

Have you ever got to run a 12F or E? Very basic & simple.

 

What's worse are those older 980 cat loaders with the 1/2 steering wheel that will not spin all the way around... LOL Gotta wait for the bucket to catch up with you. Now the new ones with the joysticks are much easier as I expect it to be slower but that dang 1/2 steering wheel gets me every time.

 

At least with a blade, the use of the saddle, articulation, rippers, etc. you might be able to put yourself back on!

Yes I have truckdad, a 99E anyway, and an older one with a pony motor, but I don't remember the serial # prefix. Good machines, you just had to commit when lowering the blade on firm ground, or pay the price (ouch)!

I had to road one of those down a county road one time, the only time I was on the road was when I crossed it!