New Year And Some Track Loader Action!

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[@stephenlindsey9233]

No matter what you run you master it in a short period of time! God bless you and your talents

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

I still have my 953B and 963A in the barn from when I used to do a lot of house line work they are in perfect condition I just can’t bring myself to get rid of them they are awesome machines

[@Boot_185]

this video reminds me as a kid how they would make mountains in the pit that the dumptrucks would drive up and dump good 30-40ft to the top at min. Used to race bikes down in the tire tracks. Been a while since I was in a machine. I sure miss it loved it. Wasnt really work but grew up around it as my grandpa has a business.

[@TermiteBenny]

Around my area track loaders are used a lot on residential jobs. We use them for everything from digging the foundation, backfilling, grading, carrying dirt, and loading trucks. The nice thing is they can easily be moved without permits and you’d have to have a 200 size hoe to even come close to keeping up with digging or loading trucks. And everything after that you couldn’t do with a excavator efficiently.

[@alonzo8214]

As Dad used to tell me "get off that thing you're making a mess". Lol

[@stevemeek5662]

Hay Chris have a question! If some one makes a comment on one of your older posts. Does that come forward for you to see, or is it just lost in space. Also is this a dump where you put all the your slop.. last one why aren’t using ear plugs? Thanks Steve Iowa..

[@randywilson6869]

Alonzo told that thing has two leavers. Leaver a and leaver b and he told me just leaver b

[@brownwarrior6867]

Randy Wilson No means no ya Randy bugger 😜

[@swashington942]

@@stevemeek5662 I don't think this guy even looks at the comments

[@chinesepugs-bestbreedofdog7254]

This thing has 2 levers: Lever A & Lever B, and he told me Lever B.

[@jimwesselman]

953, that’s a very versatile machine. Visibility is great and when you need to start a brush pile, just back it up to the pile and acts like a giant leaf blower!

[@jabrown7325]

This brought happy memories of the time I Spence as a plant fitter working on 953c - can’t remember wat the centre pedal was for - it was great as you could jack the cab up to do servicing…. Thanks for shearing.

[@scotabot7826]

That must be the local contractor's dumping ground from the looks of it. Track loaders are still my favorite machine, and always will be!

[@davidmorse8432]

These are the best track loaders ever made because they have the engine in the back for better balance and visibility. They also have hydrostatic transmissions. They are good for demolition jobs and landfill work. They are also good for pushing up burn piles. I think the bucket pins could use some grease.

[@The_blindpizzaguy1300]

I don’t think I’ve ever come across a track loader with the engine in the front, but then my knowledge is severely limited on this because since I’m blind I mostly play with toys and most of the toy ones have the engines in the back. I think the only one I’ve seen like that it was one that I had one hours about three, and it wasn’t very realistic looking. It was made out of cheap plastic, and that had an open cab with a peg see you could put a little man with the hole in there, and the tractor didn’t even move. Instead they had four little rollers in the middle of the frame that pushed it along and it had a little engine with the broken smokestack in the front. The size of it was not much bigger than the average human male hand.

[@ko9446]

When I worked at the state as a heavy equipment mechanic all of our track loaders were front engines

[@mikeo.1593]

Alex Williamson's blind adventures yeah Case used to make front engined high lifts like the 855 for example

[@davidmorse8432]

@@The_blindpizzaguy1300 Hi Alex, Sorry to hear of your condition. How long has it been since you were able to see? I loved playing with toy tractors when I was a youngster and it made me choose my current occupation as an excavating contractor. I still have models that I keep around because I think they are nice to adorn my office with. I particularly like the ones that are made of metal and contain moving parts and have great detail. The 955L that Chris was referring to had its engine in the front as did most early track loaders. When a heavy load was placed in the bucket, almost all the weight would be on the front idler and the first three rollers. This made the machine prone to sinking down in soft ground. Cat was one of the first manufacturers to address this problem by placing the engine in back so it could be used as counterweight. JCB was the first to come up with this design in the early 1970's. It was a great solution. Unfortunately the development of the hydraulic excavator has taken much of the work away from track loaders because they can do the work more efficiently and are able to perform well in soft ground. Little by little we see fewer and fewer track loaders on construction sites.

[@janvandenbos7085]

Nice track loader Chris, engine in the back for more visibility, doing nice job 👌👍⚠️

[@ut000bs]

You could probably teach Track Loader Grading 101 right now. 😏🤣 It has been a few years since I've seen a track loader in action even if it wasn't loading anything. Kidding aside, thanks for taking us with you on that joy ride, Chris. It was fun.

[@jdjones7469]

Chis, you did a really fine job operating a machine you had relatively low hours on. Just like riding a bike, may be a little rust but it will come back. My first 53 was just like this one, but had an opportunity to upgrade to a few years newer and enclosed cab. Wish I did it earlier! Might have saved my hearing if I did! The exhaust is right behind you on these units. Did eventually start wearing hearing protection, but the damage was done! Purchased a new 73 about 3 years ago, loved the power but is a big machine. Used it on some jobs because I had it! Spread the wear on the machines. The 53 is a powerful unit. Thanks for posting!

[@spearsl48]

Best overall machine for moving dirt or clearing land. Strong and fast!

[@idadho]

Make that Cat purr. I loved my Case 450 crawler loader. With a backhoe, it was like a Swiss Army watch. I dug lines, cleared trees and built my pond with it.

[@phillipmoore6295]

Excellent. I have many thousands of hours on track loaders. From little International ones to both 983s and new 973s loading payhauler and off highway trucks, digging up old roads . Then using the material to make new roads someplace else. Just one word of advice. The top edge of the clamshell is not hardened. If you use it to "backdrag". It will wear. Then you will develop a hole when the bucket is closed. You will have to pay a welder $$$$ to build that edge up again. Have fun. IUOE Local 15

[@IStandOutLikeASoreThumb]

Would you get a track loader or a excavator for clearing land stumps

[@robertquast9684]

Excavator with a thumb. More maneuverable ,better visibility more digging power

[@phillipmoore6295]

@@robertquast9684 I agree with you. Except in the case where you want to restore the land back to grade and plant grass or other development. Then I suggest a 973 with ripper. You will be able to cut tap roots. Push stumps into a pile. Grade out the land and load out the roots onto trucks to dispose of them. IUOE Local 15

[@ippielb]

Nice to see you try out a track loader, Now the only thing i havent seen you run is a grader. Maybe i gotta dig through your videos to find one. I own and operate a 973C Cat loader, weighs 60,000 pounds, so quite a bit bigger then this 953. And i also ran a 963D, and 755K at my job excavating. I dont know if you're open to some pointers, but foot placement on the pedals makes a good difference. Try to place your foot as high up on the pedal without your foot catching on the dash. And put pressure on your heel when it gets rough, will stop you from bouncing on the pedals and oversteering. Plus when you want to steer, press with your big toe. the inputs you make will be less dramatic, and it will be easier on the feet over a day. For working in wet ground, i usually return to dig detent let it flatten itself out, then put the bucket flat on the ground. Then depending how your return to dig sensor is set up give it one or two bumps to tilt the bucket down. Doing that you should feel the front of the machine tilt up from the added down pressure. Lift the entire bucket up until you just feel the machine flattens out, that will keep you on grade. The bucket gets full of dirt, it will add down pressure, give the bucket a bump to tilt it up, it'll scrape the loose material off the top without digging a hole to china. And without pancaking everything you're trying to pickup.

[@NRK1988]

Front end loader with a 4 in 1 I reckon is what you need for most of your jobs. Don't no I'm just a carpenter I hammer nails for a living haha

[@chucksinger1916]

Now ya are running a real machine Chris!! Can do anything

[@mikeo.1593]

Nice high lift man... brings back memories. I’ve dug quite a few basements with one of those in Kentucky. Took me awhile to get good at holding a grade with one lol

[@clydeacor1911]

Happy New Year Chris! The first big loader I ever ran was an old Cat track loader with the clutch and twin stick clutch steer. I was 7 years old so around 35 years ago on our farm. Our county landfill still uses track loaders to push and compact trash. Track loaders still have their place but it's kinda far and few now days. They're definitely a lot higher maintenance cost not to mention higher purchase cost.

[@Badgermatt-nc5nr]

Chris, those are called summer teeth, as in, "wow, she still got summer teeth, not bad for her age.

[@leeshaver7825]

I love track loaders the 955L was a bad ass track loader the company that did my pop's dirt work when I was a kid had one they had an operator that could make that loader with a 4 n 1 dance his name was Bobby but everyone knew him as termite

[@geraldkoger5681]

Happy New Year Thanks for the speedy service on my sweat shirt, something like 3 days. May we all have a heathy and productive new year. We must remember the Chinese curse, “may you live in interesting times” this we will. Thanks for all the work putting out these vids.

[@bradleymincey6905]

I love those track loaders. You picked right back up on your track loaders operating skills! Happy new year bo!

[@george8873]

Seeing a tracked loader like this makes me think the skid steer you guys have is better at moving that sloppy mud from the pond dredging because the skid steer is lighter, and more maneuverable. I think a heavy tracked loader like this would just make a bigger mess when hauling out the mud to the trucks than the skid steer does, and this thing seems like it's as slow as a turtle compared to the skid steer.

[@adamkolm6711]

That Track loader teamed up with the excavator will really get some work done on pond and demo jobs.

[@Fatamus]

Running a loader is like going to the restroom ... it's a necessary evil ... something ya got to do... if it don't have or it's broken auto leveler shut off ... lower the bucket slightly curled up and put the butt/heel of the bucket on the ground and tilt the bucket forward until you fell the front touching the ground. With a bit of practice you'll have a level area and if your digging into a pile your not digging holes in front of the pile

[@stonewallpi1]

That old school Track Loader bad boy cleared the deck with that sloppy sand..... Very Impressive!

[@regsparkes6507]

This old 'beast' is showing it's hours, from the looks of that blue smoke coming from the stack under load, although it does sound like a smooth running machine.

[@ronaldtrevaskis844]

Hi Chris it's Ronàld I got started on the track loader and it's very hard but very effective to use it cause I had to start at the garbage dump and I have used it to push the garbage and to cover with gravel and to spread it even an to push and grab the green waste and to pick up big logs

[@toddlasalle131]

I believe you could give dirt perfect a lesson on running a track loader and skid loader

[@jcmathisiii6432]

You know, as the old saying goes "whatcha do on New Year's Day you'll be doing the rest of the year "......you'll be a pro on that '53 by the end of the year, lol!!! 😎

[@justinspeer8481]

I think a 953 would make a great addition to the lineup!

[@tbirdracefan]

Reminds me of the evolution of cell phones. when they first came out they were pretty big and everyone wanted the new, smaller versions. Then as they progressed, people wanted bigger and bigger. Track loaders used to be quite a bit more popular then the little skid steers became the thing. Now they are going back the other way with the bigger and bigger tracked skid steers being most desirable.

[@monoxidechild6161]

I always thought track loaders were kinda cool in their own way. You stay busy thats for sure. Wise man once tokd me the moment you stop is the moment you cease up and at the point might as well get ready for the grave. Happy new year chris.

[@Tiffy552]

Spot-on sir, just retired after 56 years know exactly what that wise man meant.

[@keithdunlap2701]

Yeah, You found her Sweet Spot there towards the end !!lololol... I could see it as the video went on, all the sudden you found it, and went to town from then on...lolol ...Wishing you the Best this New Year Chris !! Can't wait to see what's to come...Have a Great Evening !!

[@AusJackal]

We used to call those Drotts... love using them especially if they have a 4 in 1 bucket...

[@_OZZIE_RASCAL]

Thats what I knew them as too, although I do not know what Drott actually means 🤔

[@thomashandy8985]

Drott was an equipment manufacturer that got bought out by case. I'm not sure if they made the first rear engine track loader or if leibehrr did

[@mischef18]

Ol Jef will have a tear in is eye seeing you run a Cat bro.

[@scruffy6151]

Oh so true

[@bump6469]

Love those old loaders used to run a 963 all the time back in the 90s

[@parkerzimmerman8399]

Happy new year and God bless I hope this is the best year for your business!!!!!

[@toms1499]

Could be very useful for some of those dredging jobs that the poor skidsteer has been having to track everything out to the truck 300' away stuck sitting on the road. Seems like a solid machine! Happy new year!

[@thomasdesmond2248]

You could definitely use a bucket level indicator on that track loader. Lol God bless

[@TillingsExcavation]

Moving Piles is always pleasing too watch

[@adavazquez3378]

By the time you done with that machine you be ready for bed, it looks exhausting to work with it

[@TheSoloAsylum]

It's just a giant skid steer. You guys could actually use one of these with all the mud you deal with. Just call it a concrete pump...

[@billsmith5042]

...Just call it a concrete pump,... well why the hell not. LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

[@ko9446]

This is they type of pump certified for bikes and skateboards

[@billsmith5042]

@@ko9446 Yeah, no clogging this one. 😉

[@chinesepugs-bestbreedofdog7254]

Yeah, no clogging this one.

[@jasonfreeman3038]

You have to run track loader wide open. Four in one bucket I’m not a fan of. Run one every day for the last 25 years. Love the videos

[@zeke112964]

18 years.....I haven't been on one of them old things in 35 years.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Nice work! Just like riding a bike. You could have dredged your last pond with this 🤣🤣

[@mrs.eliteearthworks]

Looks like you figured it out :)

[@DC-1]

Mrs. Elite Earthworks Hi! 😁

[@mrs.eliteearthworks]

D C Howdy! 🤠

[@stevesmith-wc2gb]

Would love to see more videos with this cat 953c track loader

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

Track loaders used to be the only thing that was used to dig basements with before excavators got popular.

[@rafidishak7801]

Chris....I think you fancy operating one of these beast for your pond dredging jobs.it is ten time more efficient than your skid steer. Think about it . Happy New year and good luck with 2020.

[@thebadwolf7687]

Your suppose to pull the throttle all way back... Lol its hydrostatic

[@janvandenbos7085]

Looks like a nice machine these track loader Chris, you figured it out quick 👍👌⚠️

[@technicalitems731]

It takes about a week of operating a loader to get the feel of where the bucket edge is. And the steering. And track slip. And more.....

[@glenparks5175]

I used to run a 973 I loved it

[@ssnydertrucking1121]

Its a good thing you"re just piling dirt and not backfilling a basement. Needed a good laugh today, thanks for not editing anything out!!!

[@timasbell108]

I always wondered why you wouldn’t have one of these for some of those dredging jobs where you’re hauling the material a distance. Would think this would be much more efficient than the Skid Steer.

[@gman8260]

Eighteen years? You make it look like yesterday. Just like riding a bike!!!

[@brianbaughan5683]

Didn’t look like you were rusty to me Chris, more like a natural

[@Angus762]

Happy new year . I cut my teeth on 977 overhaul's as an apprentice

[@atdsteve8369]

Now we know where all the sand in the creek comes from.

[@Ironhorse41]

Happy New Year - New decade and an awesome year ahead ;) They were used alot before excavators really took off here, have watched operators dig 30,000 litre water tank holes with them an make a damm fine job - its what you get used too

[@clfarmer7086]

Watching you trying to move that wet mess....reminded me... never race a turd on a sand track

[@johnmelhuish3806]

There's not many operators left that can use a crawler loader 4 in 1. Basement foundation, roads , grade / trim slope landscape. Ect... not just for landfills.

[@whatsup1407]

I didn't know Chris knew how to run a Track Loader

[@jbritt2549]

Years ago no one had a thumb on a ex we used the loader4in1 to load stumps and trees back in the day but thank the good lord for a hydraulic thumb. Happy New Year Chris to you and family-friends

[@_sinisterglance_3386]

Thats a North Carolina CAT Our John Deeres are from down there we got a tour of the factory and invited to Victory Junction Gang and i showed Richard Petty How to run some Deere Construction equipment

[@deebo3864]

We had a 963 for years, loved it

[@1Ocqueoc]

7:37 - looks like the sand from the lake/creek dredging project

[@gordonshearston7590]

We could do with alot of these machines clearing fire trails and getting rid of widow makers ie burnt dead trees near the roads all over Australia have been watching the fire tankers flying over my house going to all the different fires up and down the east coast were not out of the woods yet going to be a bad summer here

[@makingithappen9722]

Emotionally it feels uncomfortable for me to drive something without the steering wheel, but you are in any case lucky with the weather.

[@thomasdesmond2248]

Chris just playing with all the toys in the sand box. Lol God bless

[@TrevorDennis100]

Considering how wet and sloppy that dirt was, you still did a half decent job of grading it out. You said this was the 'dump site' so I am guessing it's where you have been dumping all the pond dredging spoil etc.?

[@rick8910]

Not sure but I think there is a rod to the left of the cylinder that moves in and out when the bucket curls to show what position it is in. yes no maybe so ? hard to tell in the video.

[@jrand2631]

I was wondering where all that sand, mud, dirt and whatnot you're diggin up from all them ponds went. Is this your/the company's own dump site? - and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@ko9446]

J Rand he mentioned in a video recently that many home owner associations have storage for their silt

[@donbraden8533]

I knew in a few minutes you would master it good job my friend 😎👍👍

[@machinemoverman4614]

I hear those “grease worms” in those tacks!

[@pinky2502]

OHhhh YEAaaa, some HOT track loader action....

[@jasonknowles5362]

Nice armrest there on the left lol New teeth and cutting edges would make it alot easier to run - couldn't tell for sure but you might even be able to just flip the edges.

[@railroadman57]

Great video Chris you did a fantastic job with that machine !!

[@garybyrnes4496]

Last time I was on a loader was back in 93 or 94. ha ha ha.

[@RickyCervo]

Happy new year Chris! Quality made CAT 💛🔝

[@Todd.Roberts]

For not running a loader for 18 years you can’t tell it . it’s like riding a bicycle you don’t ever forget . Lol but that front bucket is screaming for some grease .

[@ko9446]

Looks a bit cool in the cab, did you turn down the a/c

[@jdanderson351]

hey, you got dirt on my desk!!! LOL too cool!!

[@davestinson5691]

That things needs some love. An maybe some grease. But she's gettin er done

[@KPearce57]

I always wondered where you dumped the stuff you dug up, Did you ever get that pond filled up that the Farmer wanted?

[@xtort1077777]

I'm curious myself 🤔 said it might take a year, he hasn't been back there I reckon or he won't video it.

[@rayrose5594]

looks like you did fine...

[@TheAmpair]

A dragline with a concrete pump attached would be better . . . ;-)

[@pedrocesarferreiradealmeid8160]

HAPPY 2020, WITH JESUS CHRIST!!!

[@johncampbell6382]

Whether this machine has it or not but I’m sure it should as there’s usually bucket markers on the arms for your levels as that’s how I learned many many years ago and are still using them today but the thing is the company’s usually never tell you about it.

[@juniorraines1042]

Enjoyed the video thank you for sharing

[@johnstegall4119]

Its like riding a bike You neve forget

[@johncampbell6382]

Oh that was very close, you nearly buried the camera lol 😂

[@johng8473]

yippi kia ride em Cowboy. Little bit rougher than the 220 yeah. :)

[@jGoodloejr]

Happy New Year!

[@m.stephenson872]

Make another loader video. That was cool to watch. Mike

[@drmautz]

Happy New Year, Chris

[@bobbaer869]

HAPPY New Year to you and your family

[@robertrockwell7581]

Happy New Year Chris John and Tim. stay safe.