Caterpillar 289D Transfering Boulders

Using the new Cat 289D to move a load of boulders from the front yard of a house down around back to the lake front. I am using the boulders to rebuild a wall on the lake. There are pictures at the end showing before and afters of the project. Like what you see? Check out The Dirt Ninja on Facebook here: / thedirtninja Be sure to hit the subscribe button to see new videos every week!

[@matthewsinger9639]

Any opinions on the 289D vs the Kubota SVL90-2? We're starting a farm and will be clearing about 6 acres of regrowth forest for blueberries, so cutting trees and pulling stumps. After that we'll need the machine to install fencing around 10 acres, trenching for electric/irrigation, tilling, etc... The Kubota has more HP and lifting capacities for less money plus awesome visibility. However the CAT cab is more like a Cadillac whereas the Kubota is like a civic. We're torn!

[@DirtNinja]

+Matthew Singer Id go with the 289 all day. Dont just look at the stats. HP doesnt matter too much. My 289 has tons of power. It will also lift as much as the Kubota. I dont get how Cat lists their lifting capacities. Ive tested the 289's lift and it will lift 4800lbs to max height. If you search "Caterpillar 289D Max Lifting Capacity Test" you can watch the video. The Cat cab is awesome.

[@matthewsinger9639]

+Dirt Ninja cool, thanks for the advice, I've pretty much watched all your videos haha. They've been a great resource. the CAT guy started at $86,365 for a new 289d HF fully loaded with 3 attachments we need. After getting the Kubota quote which was more like 74k, the CAT guy dropped his price to $78,800 and $500 CAT card. how does that sound to you? is there some more wiggle room in there?

[@DirtNinja]

+Matthew Singer That sounds like a really good fair price to me especially loaded and with 3 attachments.

[@matthewsinger9639]

+Dirt Ninja ok, thanks a lot for your advice!

[@pjs5191]

@dirt ninja U don't have anyone helping you? Also kinda cool, a guy just started working for the company I'm with here in Southern Indiana, he spent the last couple years landscaping in NY. He said he worked for the largest hardscaping contractor in the area up there (i'm not sure what company it was), but said he had heard of you guys and that he liked the work y'all do. He was telling me bout the big job his company did at Harvard U last year. Apparently the company he was with did lots of work in Boston, NYC, and other big cities in the area.

[@DirtNinja]

+pjs5191 No just me. And very cool, small world. Thanks for watching!

[@paulhess8089]

Are you able to load a dump truck from one side easily? We tested a 259d and it pushed like a monster but was pathetic when it came to loading trucks. We had to do it from each side and there was still a hole in the middle. Our bobcat T590 has no problem with it. Kinda sucks if a guy has to spend an extra 30k just to be able to load a truck with cat. Thanks

[@DirtNinja]

+paul hess I have no problem loading a tri-axle evenly from one side with my 289.

[@tomberger3115]

Great videos! I have a 259D and love it as well... but have a question on what kind of camera you use? I do have employees and like to know what there doing an how there doing it, and your camera is awesome. Thanks man, keep on diggin

[@DirtNinja]

+Tom Berger Thanks for watching! Its a GoPro

[@Organicslawn]

How strict is the NH epa on lake front work?

[@DirtNinja]

+Organicslawn Very. We had to wait a long time to get the permits for this one

[@pistolpete2468]

hey man, when you are using a skid steer on a lawn, whats the easiest way to turn around without ripping up? i try and do 3 point turns and always keep all the wheels moving

[@DirtNinja]

+Pistol Pete Yea thats pretty much all you can do. Make very wide turns.

[@mikejd35d23]

How come you didn't turn around after you loaded? Why back down? Too steep?

[@DirtNinja]

Always want to keep the heavy end of the machine up hill. Also I wanted to keep the rocks from rolling out of the bucket and down the hill and through the excavator and into the water :)

[@michaelguilfoyle546]

How many hours are on the skidsteer and digger

[@DirtNinja]

+Michael Guilfoyle about 300 on the excavator and about 250 on the skid

[@Elswick17]

why does it seem to bog so much when backing up the hill? or is that you with the decelerator

[@lsatq]

You must be renting that excavator at the bottom of the hill otherwise you probably wouldn't risk hitting it with the rocks.

[@DirtNinja]

+Lsatq Nope its mine. No rocks can go into the lake no exceptions. No rocks ended up in the lake and none hit the excavator.

[@lsatq]

+Dirt Ninja Good. Quick question. Is that 289 enough machine for you. I know you used to have a 299d. Do you notice the less hp?

[@DirtNinja]

+Lsatq I never owned a 299. I had one on demo. The 289 is plenty of machine. I havent wished I went with the 299 once. I love the 289

[@schneiderexc3557]

Do you have ride control on the 289D?

[@DirtNinja]

+Schneiderexc I do not

[@brando8214]

Strict