973d

[xcavate77]

Has anyone else seen the new Cat 973D loaders? Pretty nice rig. Just wondering everyone elses opinion.

[biggixxerjim]

i didnt know they were out yet...

[9420pullpan]

i have personally seen and sat in one

here are the pics i believe it is a field follow up machine

10748

10749

10750

10751

10752

[bobcat ron]

You have to love the new paint schemes that Cat now has, never looked sexier!

[Tigerotor77W]

You have to love the new paint schemes that Cat now has, never looked sexier!

Agreed, for the most part, except on the large track-type tractors and the medium wheel loaders (950H-980H). There's hardly any markings on them!

[dieselsambo]

I don't see many around anymore! 10 15 years ago it seem like more contractors used track loaders. Its an totally different animal to run and carry grade etc.

[928G Boy]

looks beautiful. I hope they all come with single-lever controls or at least a pattern changer (like on newer hoes) so you can switch to wheel loader controls... i never really got too attached to the track loader pattern...

i agree about the new paint scheme... except on the medium sized loaders like the 928s and 930s... too much yellow on the back!

[surfer-joe]

I liked them better just plain yellow. It does look like Cat did their homework on the undercarriage, looks massive and well protected.

[Construct'O]

I liked them better just plain yellow. It does look like Cat did their homework on the undercarriage, looks massive and well protected.

The track rail links look like the system ones on the new dozers ,but the front idler is still the old style that lets the rail ride on the out edge.Not like the system one idlers where the pin and bushing rides on the narrow center of the idlers.

I supect it is because of all the weight on the front of the machine with the bucket.

Just noticed the links was different!:beatsme:usa

[biggixxerjim]

Beautiful!!!

You guys are right, it's a whole nother animal carrying grade with a trackloader vs say, a dozer. Id much rather do it in a TL, it's definitely a lost art.

Whats that crap right behind the sproket???

[rino1494]

Whats that crap right behind the sproket???


Looks like a step.

[9420pullpan]

Beautiful!!!

You guys are right, it's a whole nother animal carrying grade with a trackloader vs say, a dozer. Id much rather do it in a TL, it's definitely a lost art.

Whats that crap right behind the sproket???

this machine is set up for Demo with the cylinder guards and it is a step but it also protects from something coming up the track.

[Beachbum0286]

Hey pullpan is that sitting at Giles and Ransome in Bensalem. I have been down there recently but didn't see it?

[biggixxerjim]

The step looks like it is in much of harms way... I could see that thing getting bent and not letting the track turn like it should. Should have put it on the loader arms like the old 63's and 73's.

[rino1494]

The step looks like it is in much of harms way... I could see that thing getting bent and not letting the track turn like it should. Should have put it on the loader arms like the old 63's and 73's.

They have them on the loader arms also. It looks like you need them on the back to access the motor. Maybe to check the oil ?? Personally, I prefer the step on the track frame.

[Burnout]

Hey guys I am new here but this thread caught my eye... Does anyone know when the 973D will be out? I currently run a 2007 973C in edmonton right now and I know we are getting a couple new 73's this year but don't know if they are D series or not.

As for the steps... their alright back there on the loader arms. but what I can't figure out is why Cat went back to a single step on the arms. Only our old 73's (pre C model) have a single step and when they go in for a refurb in our shop they all come out with twin steps. The steps on the back that are mounted to the Ripper mounts are great though. I use mine everyday for climbing up on to check my oil first thing.

[Countryboy]

Welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums Burnout! :drinkup

[Burnout]

Why thank you good sir, also I just noticed the second step on the machine... guess I get a whoops for that one.

[xcavate77]

Burnout, I don't know how many are up for purchase yet but a local contractor has one running now. Sweet rig the operator only had about 14 hrs on it when i talked to him. He said great power but would like a little more top end (they were traveling a long distance, rubber tired would probably been more efficient) and he didnt like that they made the hole in between the upper rollers between the rail and body a little smaller but all in all he was pretty happy. They got this machine early because they get to do alot to testing for Cat.

[Burnout]

Well I am hoping we could get the same treatment... Sureway has the largest fleet of Land Scrapers in Canada and possibly north america. And most of the rest of the fleet is Cat. I want to see one of these new D series machines. We bought 7 973C's last year, mine went back to the dealership because it was a lemon and had no power, 5 others went back for destroyed final drives and the 7th went in for a blown engine, was brought back to the site and within 15hrs blew another engine.

I know this company hasn't been real thrilled with the C series 73's. We still use 11 old style 973's. I was givin a hot rod 73 earlier in the year. Had a brand new 3306 crate engine cranked up to 300hp. She was a great machine except for the lack of actual steering and burning 2 1/2 to 3 tanks of fuel per day sucked.

[928G Boy]

Well I am hoping we could get the same treatment... Sureway has the largest fleet of Land Scrapers in Canada and possibly north america. And most of the rest of the fleet is Cat. I want to see one of these new D series machines. We bought 7 973C's last year, mine went back to the dealership because it was a lemon and had no power, 5 others went back for destroyed final drives and the 7th went in for a blown engine, was brought back to the site and within 15hrs blew another engine.

I know this company hasn't been real thrilled with the C series 73's. We still use 11 old style 973's. I was givin a hot rod 73 earlier in the year. Had a brand new 3306 crate engine cranked up to 300hp. She was a great machine except for the lack of actual steering and burning 2 1/2 to 3 tanks of fuel per day sucked.

I was working with an operator this year on snow removal in Winnipeg who used to work for Sureway. He said they were a big outfit but I didn't really believe him... Sounds like he was right... Are they a good outfit to work for? That 73 hot rod sounds like a blast.

[Burnout]

Yeah Sureway is a decent outfit to work for. They have a huge fleet of equipment. I think we have almost 20 973's and some old 977L's kickin around as well as backups.

But today I am faced with a decision. I have been working for a small electric company for the winter running their track loader. When I got hired on it was for the winter on an older than dirt 963 from Japan. But it died a couple weeks ago so they had a rental 963C and today they offered me a full time position. It by no means pays as much as Sureway.. but its year round employment with security. It was a no brainer but now they have sweetened the deal for me with my choice of either a brand new 953C with 25hrs on it, or they'll buy a 953D..... who knows

[928G Boy]

Yeah Sureway is a decent outfit to work for. They have a huge fleet of equipment. I think we have almost 20 973's and some old 977L's kickin around as well as backups.

But today I am faced with a decision. I have been working for a small electric company for the winter running their track loader. When I got hired on it was for the winter on an older than dirt 963 from Japan. But it died a couple weeks ago so they had a rental 963C and today they offered me a full time position. It by no means pays as much as Sureway.. but its year round employment with security. It was a no brainer but now they have sweetened the deal for me with my choice of either a brand new 953C with 25hrs on it, or they'll buy a 953D..... who knows

i actually just applied online for Sureway... how much do they pay sewer and water foremen, excavator operators and loader operators? do they do a lot of work in Fort Mac and are camp jobs a possibility? I need a camp job or I'm probably not going to bother going out there...

[CM1995]

The step looks like it is in much of harms way... I could see that thing getting bent and not letting the track turn like it should. Should have put it on the loader arms like the old 63's and 73's.

I believe that it is a striker bar with a step on it. They put striker bars on waste handlers to keep the debris from riding the tracks up.

[Burnout]

It looks as though that machine is setup for Demolition. The 973 I had last year had the same setup minus the striker bars in the rear. I had Ripper mounts. I noticed the demo package because of the cylinder guards over the bucket cylinders. I thought they were kind of annoying at first but after you spend some time with them you notice how much they block the sun from shining off them. I admit I still want that 973D......

And I really really want to see the interior in that beast. If I'm lucky there will be one in vegas next month.

[JoshA]

Wow, I didn't realize Sureway was quite that big!
I'm out of Edmonton as well.

Those are 973D's sure are sexy as Hell, thanks guys, now my keyboard's shorting out.... 'parently it's not drool-proof. :beatsme

I much prefer those steps as opposed to the ones on the track frame like rino mentioned. All depends on track size..... narrow track no problem, but when you get real wide pads, it's a pain in the ass in my opinion. And naturally someone's always bending them. Besides that, they're always so covered in mud that it's hard to get a good footing anyhow.

[catken]

Have a new 963D with ripper and it's just a super great machine. Can't say enough good about it-especially the way the ripper folds up and doesn't hang you up like the older machines do. It's so much better than our "B" and "C".

[Burnout]

Hey Catken.... can you get some pictures of the cab in the 63D?

Josh.... Sureway is the biggest in Edmonton right now. The steps on the loader frame are nice, I hate the ones on the undercarriage, their never in the right spot when you want to hop down.... and the tracks are TALL on a 73. I like the track loaders with ripper mounts on the back but without the ripper. The mounts make even better steps for in the morning when you want to check the engine oil. I am getting homesick for a 973 now, I have been stuck on a 953C for the last little while and I miss the big horsepower and the growl of that 3306!

[catken]

I won't be in the office for awhile-have to go next week and put wome numbers together for a job were bidding. I haven't run the machine but the guy that does just loves it. Says it's really a horse compared to that 963C we have. You should be able to get someone to post a D series up there on the site. We got it in November and used it only 50 hours or so then weather set in. We use it for alot of clearing trees. Ken

[Burnout]

Ahhh I'm sure I will see one at Con Expo... and with some new loaders coming for us this spring, I'm hoping one of them will be a D Series. I guarantee I won't be getting it though. I'm hoping I get the lemon they bought last year, it only got 1600hrs on it during the season and it got cranked up like crazy in the fall when it started stalling goin into piles.

[Tri-Star]

I'd like to run that thing for a good day!!

[dbf577]

looks great

[9420pullpan]

i have some new pics of the 973D, apparently there are only 8 in the world, in field follow up. (1) in PA, (2) in Cats proving grounds and (1) in Spain, (1) in Italy and (1) in England. here are the pics.


13391

13392

13393

13394

[equipment fan]

:eek:wow,what a beast!!If they will be shown at conexpo?I hope...

[Burnout]

9420 Pullpan... Only 8 in the world? You suck you crushed my hopes of seeing one roll onto one of our sites, at least before I had hope. Now I am just a poor shell of a man.

Aaaaaaannyways, Would you be able to snap a pic of the interior of that beastly machine? If you do.... well I'm just gonna say thanks, but you could give yourself a pat on the back :D

[9420pullpan]

Hey burnout, i have sat in it and the visibility has increased, as far as the cab you should look on Cat's website and check out the 963D very similar.

Apparently they should be producing this machine by fall i believe

[Burnout]

Yeah by the looks of the outside of the machine the visibility is amazing compared to the older models. Out of the pictures I have seen (from you) the only thing I could find that would give me and our other operators a headache is the handrail going up the loader arms. Along with backfilling I sometimes get stuck with pushing away from our mainline hoes, and sometimes thing get a little out of sync and you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Normally I can scoot out of the way of the bucket, but last year I had a few "mankillers" fall off the side of the bucket and land on the loader. And stuff rolls over the back side of the bucket all the time. I have already put a nice wow in the handrail of the 953C I have right now. But I have a very important question for you..... did they put a cupholder in there yet? For the 400 grand or whatever a 73 costs.... why can't they put a cupholder in it? I mean c'mon the 20 000 dollar Daewoo skid steer we just bought has 2!

[9420pullpan]

i will have to take a look at it and see if they did or not

[bobcat ron]

If there's only 8 of them, then why did I see one crossing into the USA border from the Huntingdon crossing in my 'hood 3 weeks ago?

[9420pullpan]

If there's only 8 of them, then why did I see one crossing into the USA border from the Huntingdon crossing in my 'hood 3 weeks ago?

i am just going off what the mechanic said who was doing the repairs on this field follow up machine.

[Beachbum0286]

Did that machine go to Blooming Glen Contractors? I saw one of their lowbeds with a 973D on street road in Warminster last week.

[9420pullpan]

yes, it was at bensalem last week but H&K are the ones that are field testing machine

[granitefan713]

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I caught this at the local Cat dealer the other day, and figured I'd share it.

[9420pullpan]

Which Cleveland Sisters dealership did you find that at??

[granitefan713]

Which Cleveland Sisters dealership did you find that at??

Wilkes-Barre.

[Burnout]

Which Cleveland Sisters dealership did you find that at??

My question is... where were you on these photo's pullpan?:beatsme I thought you were my dealer for my 973D fix until they release them to us lackies...lol

Gorgeous loader. If someone is lookin to have it put through its paces, just have it shipped to the Caribou Industrial Park in Ft McKay Alberta. We're building the new Finning shop, so it should be working in a future cat house.

[9420pullpan]

I have not seen that 973D since the last picks. I thought H&K still had machine.

[rino1494]

Wilkes-Barre.
Hmmm.......next time I pick up parts, I'll have to check it out.

[CAT955L]

SWEET:notworthy:notworthy

[granitefan713]

I'll be stopping by Cleveland Brothers later today, if its still there, I'll try and find out what its story is.

[Burnout]

I'll be stopping by Cleveland Brothers later today, if its still there, I'll try and find out what its story is.

Please do get many many photos of that loader if you stop by. I will reward said photo's with dirty photo's of the girlfriend unit in return :D

[granitefan713]

As promised, here are some more pics. Unfortunatley, no one was around to talk to about it.:(

[Burnout]

Were you able to get any others of the best? I am especially interested in the interior. It's a sexy lookin loader, kinda surprised it would just be sitting there. Should be out running around somewhere moving dirt.

I love the demo guards over the bucket cylinders, but it seems odd that its setup with the traditional V lever for direction control. I thought the big thing about the D series 73 was the option of joystick steering with the 4spd hydrostat.

[oakland]

that sure is a sweet looking loader! they dont have any tracked loaders here so i enjoy the photos!

[granitefan713]

Were you able to get any others of the best? I am especially interested in the interior. It's a sexy lookin loader, kinda surprised it would just be sitting there. Should be out running around somewhere moving dirt.

I love the demo guards over the bucket cylinders, but it seems odd that its setup with the traditional V lever for direction control. I thought the big thing about the D series 73 was the option of joystick steering with the 4spd hydrostat.

I do have a few more of the interior, I'll upload them later today.

[dirt digger]

burnout here are pictures of a 963D interior...i imagine they are very much the same

[AtlasRob]

Jeez! thats the biggest steering wheel I ever see in a track loader ;)

[granitefan713]

Sorry they are a few days late, but here are those other interior shots of the 973D I promised.

[ih100]

All the D's will have the option of joystick or vee-pattern. I understand JD are now offering vee-pattern where they were joystick before. I prefer the vee-pattern, my feet get bored driving joystick.

[SweCE]

Any news?

I'm getting closer to order one, and I don't want a C-series. :wink2

[dumpchuck]

Aparently they are not producing the D series yet. We ordered a new 73 back around the end of november and were told it wold be a C model. Machine was supposed to have come in at the end of February- first of March, Now they are saying May. Probably won't see it till june or july the way it usually goes. I do really like the looks of the D model though.

[Swe_Dozer]

I like to have one! we still got a CAT 951C on my Firm!

[928G Boy]

All the D's will have the option of joystick or vee-pattern. I understand JD are now offering vee-pattern where they were joystick before. I prefer the vee-pattern, my feet get bored driving joystick.

yeah vee-patern is nice

[equipment fan]

little update.


The 973D is now up on CAT website.


here`s the brochure :

http://www.cat.com/cmms/images/C500341.pdf


look`s like a beast! would like to see it work in real time...

[granitefan713]

Hi Guys,

I figured I'd post this pic becasue I thought it looked cool.

Cat 973D vs. Ford F250....who will win?:tong

[3thirteen]

We had a "D" in our shop not too long ago for a PDI. I think it was a 963 though. Either way, it was the first that I had seen. It is nice that the have the cab hinged again like the old ones, servicing looks a lot more convenient.

[Burnout]

Mmmmm the things I would do to that 973, most of them not suitable for this forum.

[Tigerotor77W]

Do I even want to know what perversions you're referring to? ***

But seriously -- something wrong with the 973D, too? Or just the bad batch of 973Cs still plaguing you...

[Tigerotor77W]

Do I even want to know what perversions you're referring to? :tong

But seriously -- something wrong with the 973D, too? Or just the bad batch of 973Cs still plaguing you...

[Burnout]

I haven't heard much about the Ds, but the C's have had issues. I dont wanna say too much but there could be a C in my future.

[BritOperator]

The D's are certainly a nice looking range of shovels. Never run a 973 but wouldn't mind having a play (ot in that way Burnout lol). 953 is biggest I have run, still got a big place in my heart for my little 943 I had, great little tool, able to do so much with it.

[d7r]

What do you think is better.. the v steer or the single joystick and why?

[BritOperator]

I like both as long as it on a Cat track shovel. :notworthy
The V direction control is easy to use but you still have to steer with your feet which can give ya leg ache if your towing a roller or similar.
With the joystick direction and steering are in one stick but I find the direction control not as precise as the V direction control but you don't get any leg ache.;)

[Burnout]

I like both as long as it on a Cat track shovel. :notworthy
The V direction control is easy to use but you still have to steer with your feet which can give ya leg ache if your towing a roller or similar.
With the joystick direction and steering are in one stick but I find the direction control not as precise as the V direction control but you don't get any leg ache.;)

If Cat made that joystick a little more comfortable.... joystick steering would be the way to go. But I find that my wrist cramps up with the joystick steering. The pedals are pretty sexy on the C series machines. They are so easy to push down you don't mind having your feet attached to them 13hrs a day.

If you go from a B series to a C series in the cat track loader line you will notice a huge difference in pressures and feel to the machine. There is almost no effort to the V lever or pedals in our 73C's, meanwhile the 73A's whether they be a 80's, 90's or the 01' model we have..... pedals are stiff and the hydrostat lever can wreck the palm of your hand.

The only problem with the V lever with the C series is that they roll when you stop. Unless you go into the actual park position and that can be violent in itself, they will roll for a few seconds. I came close to a few manholes when I jumped from the '96 973A to the '06 973C.

[d7r]

We are ordering a new 963d crawler loader to replace a wheel loader on our water and sewer backfill crew. We need to decide a few things before ordering. Do we go with single lever steer(it seems like everything is going to joystick levers these days)maybe they will do away with vsteer?? Is single lever bucket control better?Is a ripper an asset on water and sewer or just a hiderince?If we dont put a ripper on do we add a counterweight kit?I think the undercarrige is system1. Need some advice.Thks

[Burnout]

We are ordering a new 963d crawler loader to replace a wheel loader on our water and sewer backfill crew. We need to decide a few things before ordering. Do we go with single lever steer(it seems like everything is going to joystick levers these days)maybe they will do away with vsteer?? Is single lever bucket control better?Is a ripper an asset on water and sewer or just a hiderince?If we dont put a ripper on do we add a counterweight kit?I think the undercarrige is system1. Need some advice.Thks

Rippers are worthless on track loaders, you don't have the power to drag it through the ground any deeper than the teeth could go. And it just adds length for backing into things. The counterweight kit will definately be needed. But why use a track loader as a wheel loader? There was a sewer and water company in this city that used its track laoders as wheel loaders and they are all completely junk now. They all have Q/A's, worn out undercarriages, crappy drivetrains, no pads left and last time I checked.... an undercarriage costs more than tires.

[d7r]

This machine will simply be used for backfill. We will also have a loader with forks for moving materials and sand etc. The loader we are replacing was having trouble backfilling, especialy in wet conditions.Hopefully this 963 does the trick.

[CM1995]

I prefer the V-steer with single joystick bucket control. Cat offers several undercarriage options (pads mostly) so pick the one that will work best for your application. I would suggest front idler guards, rear bumper, extra lights, light guards, drawbar/hitch on the rear and the counter weight kit. As Burnout said, rippers are useless on a trackloader, don't waste the money.

I don't know much about the Cat Messenger, you might want to look into that as well. You also might want to look at a hydraulic quick coupler if occasionally the machine will need to do some lift and carry of heavy manholes, etc.

[d7r]

Thanks for the advice! They dont sell many around here so my dealer isnt that much help.

[Burnout]

I know this might sound a bit harsh so take the following with a grain of salt. Our trackloaders are stirctly backfill. If someone wants pipe, or a manhole, or sand, or stone or whatever... they can get the wheel loader to do it. I know this is not the optimum attitude to have but frankly I have enough to do during the day without worrying about other people needing crap. On a decent water and sewer job we are the most backed up machine on site for work, and frankly we probably move more dirt than the main hoe does because we get to move it up on the pile, blade it out, then backinto the hole and blade it out again.

Without forks... people don't ask you for things. Most of our crew doesn't know I can pick up a manhole barrel or cone... or slab top or pipe with my bucket, therefore when they need something and I am the only one around.... they go find the 966.

I do have to set barrels most of the time because the wheel loader either can't get into the ditch or they can't spare a hoe to come set them, which is cool it gives me practice on the fine tuning.

For backfill of wet material.... the track loader is king. Fan your piles out to get some air to them, and as you pull dry material from the top on the way into the ditch you can bring some wet in with it, fold it all in and its decent stuff. As well because you have to twist and turn on the material when its in the ditch you end up with a lift thats already half compacted and.... you won't find many dozer operators that can get a lift as flat and consistent as a track loader. As your spreading it out turn as much as possible it binds it all together makes it hard and then you just skin it off and its super flat. Even our best dozer hands end up with wavies in their lifts. I don't know one packer operator that prefers a dozer lift to one done by a 973.

[catskinnerd11r]

i have personally seen and sat in one

here are the pics i believe it is a field follow up machine

10748

10749

10750

10751

10752

Wish I could have sold a 973D, but I sold a 973C that we are mounting a BH120H-1 Fecon head on it. Hoping to have pictures in a month when it is fitted.

[catskinnerd11r]

Hey guys I am new here but this thread caught my eye... Does anyone know when the 973D will be out? I currently run a 2007 973C in edmonton right now and I know we are getting a couple new 73's this year but don't know if they are D series or not.

As for the steps... their alright back there on the loader arms. but what I can't figure out is why Cat went back to a single step on the arms. Only our old 73's (pre C model) have a single step and when they go in for a refurb in our shop they all come out with twin steps. The steps on the back that are mounted to the Ripper mounts are great though. I use mine everyday for climbing up on to check my oil first thing.

Cat is only offering the field follows, with the economy it may not be for a little while.

[CEwriter]

Lots of control options, +10 hp, closed-center hydraulics -- what's not to like?

There's Always Room for a Large Crawler Loader, says Caterpillar (http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6716392.html)

From the press release:

'Buyers now can choose either joystick steering or pedal steering. The steering joystick also provides transmission control, allowing the operator to select travel direction and ground speed, while the pedal-steer system works in conjunction with the Cat "V-pattern" transmission controller.

'Buyers also have a choice of loader controls—either joystick or two-lever. The 973C offered this choice, but loader controls for the new 973D are seat-mounted and electro-hydraulically actuated, compared with console-mounted and pilot-actuated (hydraulically assisted). The new seat-mounted, low-effort controls move with the operator as the seat is adjusted and transmit less vibration.

'The 973D's main-frame/loader-tower is fabricated of single-slab primary rails, cross-member reinforcing and castings or forgings in high-stress areas to provide long-term durability for supporting multiple rebuilds (see CE data comparing track loader life (http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6457158.html)to wheel loaders, dozers (http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA457548.html)and other eathmovers (http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA624071.html)).

[Burnout]

Yarrr... thar not be a finer machine on the horizon :D

[cummins05]

well unless that said loader said Komatsu on it and had tires

[Burnout]

well unless that said loader said Komatsu on it and had tires

I'm lookin for something that lasts longer than 5000hrs:pointlaugh

[qball]

they can keep the joystick steering and electro-hydraulic controls. other than that, it's a keeper.

[Burnout]

I agree with the joystick steering... but will gladly take EH controls.

[Burnout]

2 more I snapped somewhere.

[qball]

they moved the horn button!
i love the old location. hard to get on purpose, easy to hit accidentally.

[Tigerotor77W]

Only +10 horsepower? I thought the 973D was going to have like 306...