Buying A Nice Cat Track Loader

[@heatherlane9270]

'Someone with the right equipment and ambition' - that's you in spades LetsDig18. What a great little workhorse and a wonderful addition to the fleet. Love the excitement in the 'new old' acquisition. Farm looking good.

[@ntomnia585]

I scrolled down and read the first part of your comment just as Chris said just that. O.O

[@forrestfire2774]

Ya gotta love those "non-slip work flops" with "reinforced straps" 😃 nice purchase Chris.

[@MrGoesBoom]

Really nice of them to include the manuals and even the service records. Imagine that's super helpfull

[@mojostevo]

Looks like it used to be a OROPS model and they added a 87-89 cab to it. Hence the Mohave brown paint on just the cab and the block-C medallion on the outside of the cab.

[@dixiebourne752]

Chris you have a beautiful home and farm I know you are a young man and worked very hard to get what you have very proud of you.

[@Mtlmshr]

Boy you can really get an appreciation for how powerful the 220 is when you watch you try and push over those “smaller” diameter trees with your new toy! Sure there different types of machines as far as what they do but when it comes to just brute force that 220 really shines!

[@jonathanvasconcelos4887]

excavators in general are just powerhouses, its mainly due to the type of hydraulic pumps they use and how much pressure the systems have :)

[@mattshell7753]

That was the choice back home for digging basements. Easy to move from job to job. Looks nice hope it doesn't cost you like Betty. Thanks for the video.

[@Del-27]

Nice machine, you will have that cleaned up nice , sounds sweet, your really building your fleet up ! Congratulations Chris 🇬🇧kev

[@loadblock4995]

OUTSTANDING PURCHASE‼️ My dad had one for about 30 yrs… they are indestructible. I’m a little jealous ✌️That machine will outlast your career

[@macw2234]

The 953 was the first Cat track loader I ever worked on. Fond memories. She ran granite at a crusher plant for us

[@donnaflanagan6612]

Chris is excited, & having way too much fun on tough little Betty Jr 🤩😁 Perfect addition to the Letsdig18 stable. Take care & cheers 🐨🦘🥰

[@monserrategomez4197]

Hey Chris nice to a happy tone in your voice for a change, That is is nice looking little machine a great buy and addition to your fleet, Pretty soon you are going to need a helper.. good luck .

[@floydjackson298]

Yes, It's a keeper. Congratulations on your new toy.

[@farmall51]

Looks great. They are good loaders. Lots of power.

[@rickgalla3377]

Chris great find, low hrs, it was taken care of, lots of luck. Fleet is growing with cats

[@JCrook1028]

Meow!

[@babsyred9710]

Boys and their toys lol Good for you Chris I hope all your dreams come true as you work bloody hard for them.👍🏻

[@ngtflyer]

Wow. 42 year old machine and it looks and sounds better than a lot of modern stuff that's been used and abused. Great knowing its history. Manuals and records means they took good care of it. Congrats on the newest addition to your fleet!

[@troyledbetter6597]

Always great to get a new piece of equipment! Congrats on the purchase! I hope this provides you with years of work.

[@alpharomeo15]

That lil beast really moved some impressive material... you and Clint @C&C Equipment are making folks look at track loaders inna whole new light! 👏🏽 👍🏼☺️

[@michaelpage9883]

Congratulations on your newest purchase. I have known guys that could run a 953 the way you run your 220. A little more “ getting use to “ and you will be just as good on the 953 as you are in the 220

[@railfan439]

Chris: Congratulations on your new toy. I noticed two things, the engine access door, right hand side is loose. Also you need a new windshield wiper blade. I'm sure you will find an after-market air conditioner. In the south you definitely need it. Thanks for the video. Jon

[@haroldhawkins9370]

Congrats on the track loader Chris, hope it gives you a lot of trouble free hours of hard work.

[@andrewrobinson2869]

Very nice. Well it has come to a great home. We all know how much you look after everything. It was a pleasure to watch you on you new toy.

[@senecapirate1254]

Oh it's a Happy Day Today!!! Your excitement is evident Chris. I hope you enjoy your investment.

[@mbrianperry1]

Awesome new toy for sure. Stay safe in the heat out there. We are burning up here in North Miss.

[@fishermanmark7494]

I spent many hours on that same machine when they first came out, it was the first hydrostatic machine I operated and loved it.

[@Stratos53100]

Congrats again.....Another new toy, Betty Jr is a beast....Nice looking & not all beat up they took care of it & arre to get the books & papers.

[@IsMise]

We are all keeping a close eye on that windscreen!!! Health to work and enjoy your new machine

[@wallbawden5511]

I know i am commenting on old video's but you are just such an amazing operator smooth and use what the machine has to offer in way of push and grab lift list goes on you use it to your advantage no doubt a pleasure to watch you operate any of your machines thanks for taking us on your journey as some times it must be hard to do video and get a days work in Cheers

[@patrickblevinsarea7141]

That’s awesome Chris very happy for you excited to watch your business continue to grow

[@doritleis2773]

The Cat Track Loader have a great Test with Grading a Wood Line on Your Farm to Pass!!! You will have a Perfect Line, the work go father. By the next Day with the Perfect Weather (Rainday and correct Wind) have You enough Forest Material for a great 🔥! Congratulation Chris a good Buy.

[@kimsapp1791]

The joy and happiness in your voice, when you you were “hauling” out to the field, had me cracking up! Good for you! Here’s wishing many happy days ahead, with your new to you equipment. I think it’s ready for a letsdig18 sticker on it.

[@justinmills8084]

Congrats I like to see people who are doing well and enjoying what they do. 👍

[@davidkeys1879]

I tried pushing trees with a 953. I had about the same amount of luck you’re having lol. I was able to push our haul off piles into a fill hole pretty well though.

[@danielelwell2571]

It's very nice I can hear and feel your excitement. Happy days.

[@Vekurus]

Has always been my favorite heavy equipment since I was a kid. Used to watch one be the ultimate workhorse building a subdivision along side the excavators, and earth movers. It was probably the most used piece of equipment out there (although that's a really old memory - 1982). It looked peppy, and loved the sound of those tracks.

[@mountainviews5025]

Better and better every year Chris awesome purchase I ran that exact one in the 80s thumbs up my friend

[@socalsierra561]

Love the loader! Sounds great looks like she runs good and even the back up beeper sounds great! So happy you’re making your way over to cat equipment haha

[@LatitudeSky]

He has a way of accidentally breaking the beepers on his machines. Ooopsie. Silence. Just hasn't gotten to this one yet.

[@craigsowers8456]

You are one hellava Operator ... amazing how quickly you figured out "Mighty Mouse" ... how to use the bucket like a grapple, lift stumps like you were in your Excavator and all with "manual controls" vs "joystick" !!! Congrats on your newest acquisition ... with a smaller footprint, I'm sure it'll come in handy. Happy for you ...

[@stevelutzke9600]

Great addition! Looks to be a solid machine, great that yo7 knew the previous owner and as a result had some confidence in knowing what you were getting.

[@astonmartin2727]

Congratulations Chris. This machine looks like a good buy. Time to give her a good clean up. Too much old dirt on the rollers and under carriage. Do a video of the clean up please. Power wash the outside and under and vacum the inside of the cab.well done.

[@williambrown8624]

My work has the same loader thats what i learned on except we have a standard front bucket. We also have a 1980 something 963 with 4 in 1 bucket and logging winch on the back of it. Talk about a beast but i love the hell out of those older machines not much can stop them. Keep up the awesome videos

[@danielcollier4401]

the older machines were built to last. I believe that is what made them the beasts they are.

[@barrythomas379]

A boy and his new toy. Nice toy! Really looking forward to your work on the new land.

[@dennisryan7487]

Chris, My solar panels on my house produced 1.5 MW last month. So according to the computer program from Edison, I think they call it the carbon footprint, you're good to take down 24 more trees!

[@brianshanahan6196]

Man on a Mission . Superb job with your new toy . Love watching a Master at Work .

[@maxmacdonald7174]

Very good looking and sounds great. None of those emissions' garbage on it. I know this track loader has to be older than the owner as of now.

[@assassinlexx1993]

Chris that was a great deal. Works like a big skid steer. Could you give a update on Betty? We know she having a lot surgery. Next year those top notch fence crew coming? For Chris farm 2.0

[@dennislaws5187]

I was raised operating Cat loaders, great machines, wish I had one now.

[@johnblecker4206]

I am glad that you really like working with it and the larger control's compered to the Volvos fingertip controls enjoy it. Your falling those trees much faster now.

[@andrewcoore4508]

When you get the feel of it you’ll love it for clearing. Wish we had a 953. For house lots and basement digs we Run a 963B and it’s just about too much for some of the lots. Congratulations!

[@johnblecker4206]

A big congratulations for you and I knew you learned on a Cat at a young age. Now AC and windows

[@smjhobbies4527]

Have Clint from C&C come down and put you in one of them aftermarket air conditioners that's a nice machine congratulations

[@kenore4003]

That would be quite a road trip for an airport install but he might do it if he had auction machines to pick up. It's about 600 miles.

[@smjhobbies4527]

@@kenore4003 good point, Indiana is quite a ways away from there

[@J316-y4c]

Super nice loader. I just bought a 1994 953B, cab, AC, rear rippers, with 8600 hrs from a buddy of mine. I love the non electronic motors!

[@davestuart6593]

Love watching you have fun with new equipment,you definitely were doing just that! Chris the tree slayer!!

[@raygrundhauser9910]

That machine has been waiting a long time for someone to put it to work. Love watching that thing eat. Great video. Thanks!!

[@billhickman4826]

When you said "let her rip tater chip" and threw it into high gear all I could think of was the movie Tremors when they got in the track loader and took off pulling that trailer hollering!

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

You do like your equipment and that’s a good thing. She found a good home. Hope yo see her often.

[@stevenlatham4397]

This brought back so many memories. I spent a lot of time in my formative years operating a 953 and a 955. It wasn’t even close to that good of condition. The 953, a D6, and an incredibly worn out Drott excavator are what I credit for starting my career.

[@johnthompson9625]

I didn't get to operate it much, but I had a lot of trees pushed to my chainsaw for disassembly for firewood and haul off back in the early 80's. Loved watching the action!

[@rccalhoun]

i spent a lot of time on a 953, 63 and 73. so versatile. the 53 burns 40-50 gallons/day. the 4 in 1 makes it great at demo. excavators were a luxury---we used the track loaders for most of our demo.

[@jamesmccartney5731]

I ran a lot of different track loaders, the 953 was always my favorite, mostly trouble free

[@beckyumphrey2626]

She is a beautiful girl in excellent condition. Those machines were a huge hit when they came out. 5900 hours is a newborn. You scored with this one for sure.

[@machinemoverman4614]

Are those steel toed flip flops? Nice machine, good luck.

[@maryschillinger2909]

Don't cha know his flip flops are all steel toe. Lol 😆

[@loucool5790]

Nice addition to fleet Chris! 4 in 1 loader👍 really think your going to be happy buying that” looking forward to videos of it on jobs.

[@donbraden8533]

Your getting a nice fleet of equipment together Chris with the bigger jobs your doing you need it 😎

[@LatitudeSky]

People may ask, why so many machines for one man? Simple. He has enough machines to keep several job sites going at once, without having to move machines every day. He has at least three sites working right now, not including whatever he's doing for his uncle. It gives him a ton of options on any given day.

[@rustysteel8714]

WOW! That is one pushing MACHINE, Chris! 👍 Nice view from the cab, too. Congrats! Didn't think it would handle those 3-tree clusters! 🤯

[@radioace318la]

Congrats man. great find. looks like it was well taken care of.

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Excellent new toy buddy!! It’s in great shape. Excellent addition to the fleet. Congrats!

[@krm944]

It’s SOOOOOOO AWESOME to see you pick up some older iron. What were your words with the dozer? “Pre- Def?” From watching your channel it seems you use the excavator 85% of the time, so adding quality iron to the fleet makes sense. ***The dozer maintenance vids were some of my favorite!***

[@gearhead181]

I really enjoy our 953. Before we got it the transmission and drive motors were rebuilt at about 7k hours at about 9k I had to pull the motor to have it redone. But it’s been a great machine nothing runs forever but you can keep them alive. Cool to see your new addition

[@thething4763]

A 30,000LB skid steer. Mint!

[@derrickpettit86]

Man you got a sweet machine Chris well maintained an taken care of, gonna be a good machine 🇺🇲🇺🇲💪💪

[@larryconley9438]

Nice dozer Chris, you make it look easy. Great video keep up the great job. You make the best videos then anyone else

[@jimwesselman]

953 is a great loader, built both of my houses! Guess you don't put in too many basements in Raleigh, but it can do that putty da*n good also. Try some diesel hotshot in the fuel, the 5 more units of Cetron helps!

[@revtoyota]

9:00 That's what a happy Chris sounds like.

[@toddworman4428]

What a perfect place to get a feel for your newly aquired rig. You can get work done for yourself and get it figured out. Great to watch you work

[@gthiii]

Chris, congrats on another outstanding acquisition! Besides a new wiper blade for the front windshield and possibly a new backup alarm (it did sound a little suspect at times) you’ve got yourself a winner. Tom

[@Blazer02LS]

Looks like the right access panel needs some lube and a better latch.

[@misterj1968]

Life is good when you see Chris having a good time!! Hope he has a lot more good times he needs it...

[@larrylane6512]

Sweet ride Now you have "Betty", "Barney'' and now Pebbles .....

[@paulgatten9586]

Congrats on the "new" addition to the fleet and work horse for the farm....its truly one lil mean machine....

[@big_mike_nyc]

Thats a beautiful dozer, I have the same one: a 1988 953 except mine does not have the 4 way bucket..

[@Richard-C]

your having way to much fun to call this work, congratulations on the new toy 👏👏👌👍👍

[@george8873]

Took you a minute ot two to test limits to see what it could do, but once you did and got a system down, seems like it's pretty capable to clear those trees with little trouble and quite quickly for the size of the machine. Congratulations on the new toy. Also, impressed the back up beeper still works on a machine 40 years old, lol. Company before you probably had to make sure it worked though for safety reasons.

[@rondastump8930]

Solid purchase, good for you! Track loader will be tremendous blessing on new farm. Have fun clearing your new farm, as with ur work ethic, even after long days, u keep on going. God's blessings and stay safe.

[@chillywilli]

Nice deal. Probably the only thing that doesn’t function all the time is the backup beeper😎

[@tommyw.9424]

953s are great loaders. I've been running 953C and 963 since I was 14. Only thing I would want different from yours is two stick bucket controls and standard GP bucket, I'm not a 4 in 1 fan. I'd love to find a loaded, low hour 953B two stick. That's a dream machine.

[@wreckitracing9380]

That’s a nice machine I have a 963b with 12,000 hours and runs strong as can be I clear trees with it all day everyday and I love it but it has the twin sticks for the bucked not that wheel loader control

[@garymurt9112]

I always thought the joystick was better than a twin stick, till I was hired on to run a 963D with the twin stick and was taught to fine grade. For fine grade the twin stick will blow the joystick out of the water. Your response speed is double since you only need to move the stick a very small fraction of the distance than the joystick. I now run a 980g wheel loader with the twin stick and as far as that is concerned it wouldn't matercto me which control it had. The problem with the twin stick in the 980g versus the 963 is the pattern is reversed and upside down took me two days to convert myself to it. The bucket control is on the left stick and forward is dump back is load, the boom lift is on the right stick and normal forward is down back is up

[@dennismalcolm6620]

You are so BLESSED 🙌!!!!.ANOTHER GREAT MACHINE 👍. FOR A HARD WORKING MAN 👨. 👨 👏 💪.

[@cliffmorain7215]

Another nice find Chris, what happened to Betty? I forgot about the torch converter.

[@ralphjelomono9068]

Great loader Chris. Fact it had service history and manual showed it was taken care of. Good find and perfect for your around the farm work. Enjoyed watching you use the 4 way bucket.

[@denniswilliams3934]

I love when you said, "Gonna let her rip 'tater chip" and 3 minutes later on her first push on the "little twigs" she grunts like an old girl. She is gonna need some TLC.

[@marcryvon]

Huuum, according to it's maintenance and repair data, it's in top shape. She may not be the best machine to fell trees though...

[@denniswilliams3934]

@@marcryvon With every new acquisition, comes excitement and high expectation. Sometimes reality brings you back down to "earth". That Old girl just needs some patience and love. She is at the right place for that.

[@RobTuck1475]

I see you have a pair of dem Steel toed Rainbows too.....Nice rig you got there Chris!! Stay safe!!

[@TL64329]

Looks like you found a nice machine. Is Betty now considered a write-off?

[@neilopfer5687]

Nice machine and that hydrostatic drive is hard to beat!! Now you have yourself a super-sized Compact Track Loader (CTL)!! I always liked these machines for digging basements because you could get a very square corner. Hope the 953 works out well for you!!

[@pinwizz69]

Only Chris would come home from a hard day at work operating excavation equipment and get tickked to jump on a new toy he bought and go out on his new property and begin knocking down some trees. He's definitely living the life he wants which is more than the majority of people. I got lucky and had 3 professions in a row I absolutely enjoyed. Retired now but I'd go back to any 3 of them jn a skiny minute if my health would allow me to. Especially flying out in storms on Coast Guard Sikorski helicopter rescue missions, yeehaw, that was definitely puckeredup exilerating. Definitely not for the fient hearted. Then almost 40 years payed to play pinball games and pool tables after fixing them. Chris is definitely a prime example of living the American Dream.

[@jerryrolen9639]

Looks to be a very nice machine Chris. Especially considering it’s age. I hope you get many years of trouble free service out of it,and being that it is a Caterpillar the odds are you will. That being said ,it will never clear and grub as clean and efficiently as your excavators but I’m sure you know that. Keep up the good work.

[@CapnCrusty]

You need to start a Chris' Cat Rescue channel.

[@williamdarrah113]

Nice loader Chris don't forget rhe 2 grease points on front idler pivots on each side outside and inside. To keep your bucket to stay closed raise it halfway up dump all the way and then close tight it will stay that way till you open it again. And if you want to pinch up dirt or trees open it up lay it down and keep your hand on lever and down in float and throw your right elbow into 4n1 lever move your joystick left to curl your bucket back and you have bucket full. Been doing it for over 68,000 hrs on track loaders. Watch out for vines connecting branches above trees are most dangerous thing you will do in a loader. They will try to kill you and laugh at your windows. LOL

[@BCDriven]

@letsdig18 You should do a Q&A sometime. There's a lot I (and I assume others) would like to know about running an excavating business that I would be interested in hearing your opinion on.

[@1armedguy4]

Hell ya that is a quite the beast for it's size, easy to aquire a taste for the old iron but still able to get the job done. Cheers from Atlantic Canada !

[@luca7069]

Did you remember to top up the DEF on it before playing around? Just kidding, another nice old CAT in the fleet, congrats

[@andrews5662]

Nice find! Looked like you was getting the hang of it. Probably will save you some headache and transportation $$$ not having to get the 220 back to the farm as much