Betty Puts In Her First Honest Days Work

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[@Huskiedrive361]

Really like the 977 Chris. The D333 is a stout engine and very tolerate to years of use with minimal service/repair. Being familiar with these old girls I would suggest that you (or a mechanic) go through the valve adjustment on the engine. Not knowing when the last adjustments were made, this could be part of your somewhat hard starting, and possible weak cylinder. Valve timing is effected by adjustment which effects cylinder compression. It may make a big improvement if adjusted. Cat engines like to have the valve lash in spec to run at peak performance. Besides, doing a valve adjustment first might save you from buying an injector. Side note- when looking try searching for D333 nozzle instead of injector. Carter Cat should be able to get them for you. Cat part # should be an 8N4694. About $50 each.

[@rawr51919]

That could help tons and might get the 6th cylinder to start firing

[@shadowbanned69]

Solid advice!!!

[@davidclaudy4822]

This is why I love the comment section. The experienced crews will offer good advice based upon their hard work and experience. 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@jackwells1452]

If you go back to the first video you can hear valve noise, so that's a good call Sir

[@gravelydon7072]

Adjusting the valves and injectors on just about any engine after they have been run for quite a while is worthwhile.

[@kens.3729]

Betty should Never be Doubted. She is a Solid Lady and is Ready to Earn her Keep in your Fleet. 👍

[@MadonnaJune]

LOVED the shot of Betty parked with the Letsdig18 crew at this job! She was sayin "Move over boys, there's a new girl in town." :D

[@rawr51919]

She may be old, but she's still got spring in her step! I'll be damned if you didn't get that reference

[@thatdave86]

With that big bucket ,she will chew em and spit em ,is she grand old lady ? Or the rebellious Spinster 😊

[@randyadams4664]

Those tractors are so strong. Chris is in no DEF land and grinning from ear to ear. No error codes with Betty!

[@rawr51919]

the errors you get are all mechanical with a 44-year-old piece of equipment like Betty

[@williambryant5946]

Yeah when something small breaks on these older tractors that won't stop the ability of the tractor to work, nothing shuts the entire tractor down and you can keep working and fix the problem at the end of the day.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

She's running clean too!

[@viseshseernam39]

sadly no longer made had been replaced by small electronic ones

[@Skorpychan]

@@williambryant5946 But on the other hand, there's no warning of small issues that could be causing bigger issues down the line.

[@artreed8098]

You can't beat that old CAT machinery Betty...She is a beast

[@jodimane7179]

None of that computerized bogging... Just ole fashioned straight horse muscle

[@ronniewilliz153]

Running a cat D25c end dump right now.

[@donnellwilliams3988]

I was just about to say the same thing betty is an absolute beast at what she can do, that old school muscle she shoved down that tree with no problem & kept on moving along.

[@danielcohn-bendit701]

This is like a children’s story: Betty is left in bad shape by all her previous owners until a nice young man buys her and fixes her up so she can be useful again. 😁😁😁

[@georgemorin4787]

Now what's he going to tell miss root rake now that he's dating a cougar???

[@lesr5737]

Yes I love the scenario Chris being The Shining Young Prince I just got through comparing Betty as Puff the Magic Dragon bet he's not exactly a fairytale but she's close

[@rondastump8930]

Loved watching Betty on her first job. Glad u have fond memories of equipment from when u started working. Blessings!!!

[@throngcleaver]

And they lived happily ever after. The End. 😁

[@justinlarrabee7932]

"It may be an old jaloppy but its mine" That my friends is a statement with both pride and accomplishment all in one. I felt that on a personal level.

[@noc8076]

Two parts paint thinner, one part boiled linseed oil. Brush or spray it on, then wipe off with a paper towel. She'll look like newly painted but with a patina. Works wonders on paint and oxidized plastic. Also, noise reducing headphones is great when running equipment.

[@judithfairchild8620]

You can't fool me! You may have been on the job today but you were flat out having fun! Enjoy using Betty.

[@MichaelJones1527]

Now when the new stuff takes a crap on you , you’ll have ole Betty to get the job done. Love the sound of the old machines, no DEF no Computers just raw power.

[@Mike7478F]

That’s a handsome team of engines right there! Years n years of loyal service to come!

[@howardjensen1010]

Like you at 11 years old 78'my dad put me in the seat of our 983B in our sand pit and told me to load trucks ( I had done it with a 950 rubber tire) but I fell in love wit that 983 with a 5 yard 4in1. Fast forward to today I found a 983b with full cab and now that I'm retired I started a complete rebuild of the old girl stripping her down to the frame. I figured it will take two more years to finish, but she will be just like she rolled out the factory door. Enjoy your dream come true.

[@jenshansen4751]

Loves the Sound of Betty 🥰

[@laythg]

Wow. I didn't realize you started on a 955 Chris. That's so cool. I started on a 951C when I was so little I couldn't reach the pedals from the seat. I paid for college running a 977K like Betty. After 35 years of software development I am back in a 973D at our landfill (part time) and loving every minute of it. These track loaders are so versatile. Make all the 977 videos you want. I'll watch every one of them. :) Oh and I can confirm the 977 WILL sink like a rock on soft ground!

[@petenolte4192]

Layth Grangaard are you speaking fromm experience? 😆 🤣

[@laythg]

@@petenolte4192 Oh yes. It wasn’t pretty. Haha.

[@petenolte4192]

@@laythg from doing all the farm work I've done I've never got stuck come close a few times 😆 🤣

[@JamesLeatherman]

I never got a chance to run anything bigger than a D4, but can confirm that kids who run heavy machinery and then do software development are only doing it so they can get back to heavy machinery.

[@scottgilchrist5659]

@@JamesLeatherman I worked with an agri contractor for 5 years while I was at university and am currently a software developer. After 5 years in the industry I want to go back to working with heavy machinery, it's where my heart is at.

[@JamesLeatherman]

Look at her go! She is one spunky old girl. That was a great call, putting her back in service. Looking forward to more of her story.

[@swaits4no1]

Nice old girl... many years left in the betty.... valve adjustment, new fluids, filters, replace the lighting with LED.... spruce her up a bit, and she'll be/is a great addition to the dig family of units..

[@TL64329]

Betty may be old but she sure can move some material. Very impressive. I enjoy watching the old iron work and really like the sound.

[@hendersonlandworks6158]

I could watch that cat run all day. Need to have a lot more videos of it!

[@SPDDTI354]

Love seeing the old iron. Thanks for the video Chris!

[@tollietime]

And the lord said "move that mountain!" and Chris said "Hey, Betty!"

[@mcoppock214]

She got less things to go wrong than the modern equipment. I can see her really contributing to your work.

[@georgej7077]

My dad had one of the first power shift 955s, he put over 20000 hours on that thing. Some of my earliest machinery memories were riding along and sitting on the fuel tank while he worked. First machine I ever ran and my favourite to this day. Thanks for the blast from the past!

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

Thank goodness for Betty, she is a great old school beasty, 👍.

[@bradleymincey6905]

Another hot tip to help clean the injectors and lubricate the fuel pump is to fill the fuel filter up half way with hydraulic fluid or automatic transmission fluid and fill the rest of the filter up with fuel. It helps alot, especially on older equipment. I do it on our frac pumps and hydroblasters everytime I do a pm service. Helps to keep the fuel system lubed up and clean. I love those old track loaders! Ol' Betty is a mean machine!!! I knew you would get one eventually!!

[@ranger2316]

I like that huge, old school, diesel sound. What beast. In the right application, this thing is going to be a Clydesdale!

[@jimculbertson2376]

What a kick for you, Chris. Thanks for the into. Must have been a lot of memories flying around up there in the cab. Congratulations and happy dozing with Betty.

[@jeanpouyet2710]

I really enjoy the shear kids delight of a new /old toy. I am glad Chris is having a great time.

[@jerryrolen9639]

Glad to know this is an old throw back to when you started out. I also dream of the days 30 plus years ago when I operated the D 6 and the 977 s. Great machines at the time. But dinasoures today. Very heavy, slow and tear up a lot of ground. I do hope you enjoy it though 😊

[@ralphjelomono9068]

Great to see Betty in action. She sure will move a load. When I did the transmission in my D6C I spent the money and used the CAT fluid. It push harder and ran smoother than aftermarket stuff and was well worth the price difference.

[@derrickpettit3489]

Man Chris Betty sounds sooo good, she will push that's for sure, man it's strong, the motor won't stall when pushing a big load, it just pushes, look forward to seeing it run alot more, thanks for sharing Chris 🌲💪💪🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@markgivens4820]

She is strong and so is her voice...hearing protection...food for thought!!

[@kenh9508]

Our shop had a 977 with tracks from a 572 pipelayer on it. The were definitely wider.Must have an offset. Love the 977's shouldn't be to hard to find a winch for it. Solid machine and fun to operate. As always thanks for the entertaining and knowledgeable videos.

[@houstontexas9463]

57k views in 4 hours... Betty is very popular and she did great! I seen this same model a few months ago and it was still being used daily, pretty impressive for 44 yr old machine that takes a beating every day of its life damn near.

[@terryrogers1025]

Even with 5 cylinders hitting, Betty sounds great and performs well, you have an excellent machine young man, I got my intro to cats on cat loader, 955. I’m with you on the liken the ole iron girls they’re Just sweet is all I can say. Congrats and wish you the best. You talked the tracks being 18” but it looks as it has a double drouser ( don’t know if I have it spelled right) bars on each pad. It has some grip on the ground with that narrower track

[@oldjarhead1125]

Nice adoption from the old school clan! Sometimes older is better. I have a 30 year old Bimmer in my fleet that I love to drive & play with. Always brings a smile when driving it. One of my favorite toys that mama can't understand while I still have it.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

WOW, ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE MUSIC AT 20min mark!!! More please!!!

[@tedc.4956]

Betty is bodacious! It is touching that you follow through with these connections with your history -- the oak tree and now Betty. So glad for you.

[@pinkywilliams8063]

Awesome to hear the back story, as always thanks for sharing, Chris. Betty is a fine machine... Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!!!!!

[@mikeyb5581]

You look right at home up there. I don't think that you will regret getting Betty. She will make you happy and prosperous.

[@williamfreeh1198]

many years ago i ran that same exact dozer with the same clam bucket. a 3 acre lot was cleared of 100 plus year old oak trees. i clamped onto the stumps and wiggled back and forth until enough roots snaps and the stump was loose and pulled them up out of the sand they were in. that machine was a beast. i worked for an excavation company in Toledo Ohio.

[@ZenWithKen]

It's a good day when projects go from money out to money in. Betty, you are beautiful, lol.

[@andythorne1261]

thanks Chris great to see 977 working hard I started on 955h in the 70s we had case 1000, and 977L and a d8 b I think my brother and I did some big job's with them all, re tracking them was a hard job, we had 360 jcb's 6 c a 5 c 9 trucks on the road pushing mud hauling scrap always maintenance to be done, Betty is going to love you your a great opperater, be nice to your machine and it will serve you well too,

[@BeytekinConstructionMachinery]

You're happy with it, we're happy to watch it! 😍

[@harrygbutleriii4313]

Love seeing that old 'Beast' being cared for + working!!!

[@scruffy6151]

Once you get Betty fixed up more, I have a feeling we will see her on alot more pond jobs and bigger sites where more pushing is needed.

[@mitchellwilson6482]

Brings back alot of memories. 1st piece of equipment i learned to operater was the 955 after riding with dad for a long time. A beast of a machine

[@ravenmoon1533]

Ole Betty is a "beast". Runs great and thanks for sharing

[@B422TMack]

Chris for myself it was a 955L & D6D LGP with screens, Limb risers ( sweeps) & Winch. I can remember being scared stiff loading my grandfather's Autocar @ the time. Was thinking I was going to hit the side of the truck with the bucket & not have it raised up enough to clear the sideboard. I was 9 @ the time . Mack

[@heatherlane9270]

So happy for you living your dreams Chris. Your 'little' Betty is a grand old jalopy which will keep your heart singing. Great video.

[@lt1nut]

A huge CONGRATS on reaping this reward of self employment.

[@charlesleeling8649]

If trans is getting weak when heat soaked pull the floor board cover off to access the top trans cover and remove it then start it up. There are 2 valve bodies on top of each other 1 8s is the pilot valve and the other is the 123 selector valve if one or the other is puking a lot of oil it means the Pistons are worn and allowing trans fluid to bypass. Replacing them is easy and aftermarket valves are fairly inexpensive. Common problem on older power shift transmissions.

[@lannongladden5091]

Love watching old Iron being brought back to life an treated to some new fluids an fresh grease knowing that it can do the job without throwing any codes run s strong all day! Enjoy running your new machine an can't wait to see more videos with Betty an the rest of the fleet doing a great job with you at the controls. You are a very smooth operator an is a joy watching an leaning from your experiences!!!

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Excellent I save info

[@bfields1448]

Well. I had a 78 John deer 555 tranny started getting weak. I miss that machine

[@karenheartoriginal3783]

Awww welcome to the family Betty. You’re lookin fine❣️👍👏👌🥰

[@philipingram1667]

In the 60s when my grandfather was building houses, his subs used Traxcavators and 955s to strip the top soil and dig the basements. When they left the tractor on the site, my brother and I would mimic the operator and drive the machines. They had an exhaust note and a smell to them I remember. Nice to see old iron still earning it's keep - enjoy your videos.

[@graceangel5146]

This has been the "happily ever after" story we need right now. It's awesome to see Betty working! She will definitely make those big jobs easier. Hope you have a good Thanksgiving. 💙

[@ronpeacock9939]

Betty is what Chris gets when he channels Tim the Toolman Taylor... MORE POWER!!!

[@donaldmendes184]

Back in the 1980 years i ran 977 with a side dump on it, we used it to cut streets ways out with dump trucks, you dug in a straight line with trucks falling you on your side, you made the cut , backed up few feet dumped right into the dump box. It was slick and very efficient.

[@RobH.]

Welcome Betty, you found a good home!

[@kirk467]

Betty has no problem getting a “Chris Size” scoop full and no swear taking down that tree, she’s definitely a “Beast” and thanks for sharing Chris!👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻. I like it my friend, hopefully we’ll see more of Betty in the future! 👌🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@larrybraden6640]

I can actually see her coming in real handy. She doesn't seem to care what you put in front of her, she just pushes. I like her.

[@donnamullins2089]

Miss Betty and her deep sounding engine can really move the dirt. Effortlessly . I can see new paint job with fade out red to orange flames. LD18 proudly displayed. (or LD13?) I do think hearing protection is a must. Then the high speed injector cleaner went into overdrive with great music. Enjoyed the video. Texas Salute to the CAT.

[@timtaulu9914]

It was fun to watch you experiment with the machine to see how you can use the machine and what the machine can do. Still more to learn.

[@glennegan219]

Love that Betty !! How big are those buckets ? OMG !!! Your going to need a bigger barn !!!!! 😎

[@donangst9120]

That is a beast of a machine. Love watching you work

[@robinjocaldwell1449]

I like your new to you CAT!!! My old man (father) ran heavy equipment his hole life. Back when I was around 12 years old I went to work with him , and was digging a foundation for a large barn. He was using a large CAT. He call it a high lift, look like your

[@Sam465]

I love the old machinery, Betty is a great old workhorse, two machines in one, hope to see more of her.

[@craigwavra3495]

Good to see Betty on site. Time to let the big girl eat!!

[@DunbarLandFarms]

So glad to see this work. No limp mode with this one. I ran a 955 for a short time in the mid 70’s and I never forgot what a blast it was.

[@lescross1629]

Betty's a keeper sounds awesome even with a bad injecter , great video as always thanks Chris

[@jbaker265]

BIG OL BETTY JUST SCREAMS BAD ASS. Love it.

[@parrychapman7703]

Her name is Betty. She's a very large track loader. She's simple. She's old school. She pushes everything around with ease and a little attitude. :) I'm gonna call her Big Bad Betty!!! Also, who else was sitting here watching this video with the song Black Betty by Ram Jam running through their head! Someone needs to do a spoof of the song and call it Tracked Betty. I can see the video now. We get to the part of the song that goes 'Tracked Betty had a child' and the screen cuts to a picture of the skid steer parked next to Betty! LOL! Oh lawd, that would be hilarious.

[@gayle4804]

A boy with his toy! 👋 Awsome job! HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS!

[@leeshaver7825]

The time lapse was cool Old Betty looks like she can push more than your Komatsu I love old equipment Glen Walker who did all my dads dirt work had a 955L Love them old machine's

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Did I see Ole Betty crack a little smile with the first load of debris that she pushed? And was that a bigger smile when she knocked over that big old tree and push it around like a toothpick? Great to see her stretching her legs. Great investment Chris, loved her debut!!

[@adavazquez6912]

Chris you're a kid at heart, I like that. You earn everything you want, that's why I like your channel and watching you working, happy Betty❤

[@lhr1701]

I used work on the same machine in the late 1980's . It was in a steel mill in Perth Amboy, New Jersey . They machine was set up for that . They would dig the red hot slag with it . The bucket had a 2 inch thick bottom plate that would glow cherry red . When you had the belly pans off did you grease the u joints on that short drive shaft ?

[@Marty54GMC]

I own a 955L myself. Bought it last year. I've been working on some of it's problems. I do love the sound of them.

[@davidjohnston330]

I ran 977’s at the Sparrow’s Point Beth Steel Plant. Large Clam Buckets would drop us into the hold of ore ships so we could pile the material into the center of the hold. Then the clam bucket would hog it out. Great memories. 😊😊

[@MrWoodshoes]

I've thought for quite some time that you needed a bigger dozer or a track loader for some of your bigger jobs to speed up the progress. This one certainly has some push, hope the injector clears up for you. My experience with track width is that wider tracks don't necessarily equate into more push, only more flotation. I think you made a good purchase, have fun with it !

[@stevencorley2352]

Betty is getting it done. Great machine. Thanks for the video and the history

[@lwrich2229]

Glad to see Betty at work and running good! 👍

[@stevelutzke9600]

Looks like somebody has a new love in his life! The new stuff has a lot going for it when it comes to comfort and such. But they will never give that same feeling or sounds like the old iron. Long live Betty!!!

[@urielventris4917]

Finally get to see Betty working. I've been eagerly awaiting this video.

[@williambryant5946]

I hope to see Chris do a complete restoration on this tractor and make it pretty and shiny but still use it. When he gets it all fixed up could take it over to Carthage to the Ederville Tractor and Equipment Show. 👍

[@terrycallaghan8269]

I know it would be cost prohibited. But bringing Betty back to factory fresh would be an awesome video series

[@kenn5894]

Glad you got her tuned up and we're able to play with it some. In the previous video I told the wife it sounded like it had a dead cylinder. Low and behold you opened this video by saying she has a dirty injector. I didn't catch if you said anything about how she was running after running some of the Lucus cleaner through her? Hopefully she cleaned up and is running great!

[@barryshisler3720]

Good evening Chris It was great seeing Betty working That is really one sweet piece of machinery Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

[@spencer6764]

It's Good to see Betty GET "R" DONE THANKS MAGIC MAN AND CONGRATS ON BETTY!! LIKING THE TIME LAPSE. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS

[@vaughnhill3437]

Hope she runs a long time. It was fun to watch her run. When i was little there was a sandpit down the road from my house. They had one of those and a dragline amd they dug the dirt with the dragline and loaded the trucks with the dozer. It was fairly new it looked like to me but im sure it was the same era as that one is being im 52 years old. God bless be safe and looking forward to old betty earning her keep some more

[@robertjwilliams3532]

An old piece of equipment like this, when it is cared for and maintained properly will still get the job done. It may not have the bells and whistles of the new stuff, but it ain't obsolete! Nothing is obsolete until it can't do the job it was intended for. (us people included)

[@nathanlam2936]

Good to see betty out and working

[@wlgt3257]

I don't know if it is weird, and even I don't understand my absolute fascination with heavy machinery. But at work today I saw this video drop and I said 'yes we get to see LD18s latest project already!' With you on the adventure man, wherever it leads! :)

[@machinemoverman4614]

If Betty is only running on 5 cylinders, I wouldn’t worry about another injector. That is a pushing beast!

[@AmraphelofShinar]

I like it. There's something about older machines that makes them charming despite their shortcomings. And really, oftentimes they don't even have any shortcomings that amount to a whole heck of a lot.

[@zrxer2]

That's an awesome machine, Chris. I'm happy for you. I hope she gives you many hours of trouble-free service and fun. Now, I challenge you to find an old, larger dozer to add to the fleet. May I suggest an early to mid 1960s Allis-Chalmers HD-16. :) --Bruce

[@adrianking8538]

I love Betty Chris, she is a good addition to the gang, it’s amazing the push she has just moving the dirt compared to the amount the dozer can push. Pleased you have the chance to down memory lane and have a piece off equipment that still will work a hard day’s work for you and it’s amazing it comes with air conditioning at her age 😄

[@larslarson2319]

I love the 977 Cat Loader .I ran a 951 and a 953 Cat Loader. If Betty has glow plugs try using them to start the cold engine.

[@georgeking5746]

Betty is a beast!!! She can really push some material. Love the engine note!!!

[@screamingparrot2436]

Diesel Creek might get jealous of Betsy! 😂

[@rawr51919]

Why when he has his own? Have you forgot about his own 977?

[@screamingparrot2436]

@@rawr51919 it was a sarcastic joke , jeeezus

[@rawr51919]

@@screamingparrot2436 I got it, might be a reference to his

[@RumMonkeyable]

Great 1st day with Betty! She ain't purdy, but can still move mountains! Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

[@garygentry583]

I think she's Purdy as hell!

[@RumMonkeyable]

@@garygentry583 You know, Gary, she is purdy, in her own way. 😀

[@frank4532]

Just makes me smile watching that big old girl do her thing Cant imagine when she gets going on all cylinders Thanks for sharing Chris 👍 😊

[@johndeere700h9]

Thanks for sharing Chris. Brings back lots of childhood memories. Grew up around 955k & 955l. My dad loved his old cats he loved digging out rocks with them. I lost dad in 2019 he’s in heaven pushing dirt with pap. Have a great thanksgiving.