Winter days at Beitostølen

[MKTEF]

Visited the wintear days on Tuesday.:)
DOT arranged this forum.
A lot of speakers talking about snowremoval, snow contracts, public service, airport snowremoval and more.
Lasts from monday to thursday.;)

The dealers of winter equipment where present with some of their stuff. Snowblowers, sand spreaders, salt spreaders, graders, plows and more.:D

Demonstrations out in the field after lunch each day.
It takes place on a hotell at the end of a skislope.(Beitostølen)
2 km with a bus up to the "mountain".:rolleyes:

I pictured the graders present. A Veekmas(Vammas 281), 140M and our 976.
Our 976 is pictured in another post....;)

[MKTEF]

Here is the 140M.:)

Operators are not happy with the new M modells i hear.:(
They complain on the power.
The graders lack power compared to the weight, operators don't get the performance expected.
Small cuts and not able to keep speed up in hills and when grading.:o

Nokia special grader tyres on this one.

[bobcat ron]

On the first set of pics, thrird pic down, what are those blue things? Ramps??

[MKTEF]

A couple more.
Looks like its a Veekmas extension on the Cat blade.
The Veekmas hydraulic snow stopper is popular here.:)
Many demand it on their grader, and its a killer, moves up and down with a bang.;)

[MKTEF]

Hey Ron.:drinkup

Its summer blades(slick ones), its a holder for spare blades.:)

[bobcat ron]

Ahhh, got it now, I thought those were ramps to back out onto in case you really got stuck.

[equipment fan]

nice graders MKTEF!Can you show to us more pictures of other machines displayed please?

[Grader4me]

MKTEF, I noticed that on the different types of graders (pictures that you have shown) they are all running a similar type of plow on the front. Are these plows the most popular in your country? I've probably asked you these questions before, but can you apply down pressure to them? Will they "trip" when striking something hard ex: raised manhole cover etc.?
Great pictures... by the way...is that your smiling face in the window reflection?:)

[9420pullpan]

wow that 140M looks awesome great tires on it front angle blade it doesnt get any better than that for plowing snow

very nice

[MKTEF]

Equipment fan: I am sorry but i didn't take any more pics.
There was a lot of winter equipment, but i didn't have time to everything.
I can do a little research and post some pics here that i''ll find on the net.:(

Grader4me:
Its two produsers dominating, Veekmas and Gjerstad.
Most want Gjerstad, they are the most solid.
Design on the Cat and ours is nearly the same, but we ordered all the extras.
Tilt forwards, side tilt and quick coupler on ours.

We all can add down pressure, some have float function.
Recognised by a nitrogen reservoar on the front.
We can tripp manholes, yes. And they can fly!:D
Thats way we ordered the tilt on the blade. U can controll the agressitivity of the blade by tilting forward or backwards.:)

But i also has to add that manholes is made in very special ways her in Norway, so they dont rise in the winter.
We dig them deep and use frost free gravel and also styrofoam plates to avoid holes from rising.
Nearly all holes is minimum 6 feet deep, and so big u climb down inside them.
They don't rise cause the mowe equaly as the ground around.

The face was a miss, i don't like to be recognisied in this stupid world, when i have the job i got.

[Grader4me]

Thanks for the information. I've never seen a plow like that in these parts. I'm curious if any companies in Canada or the U.S. makes anything similar.

The face was a miss, i don't like to be recognisied in this stupid world, when i have the job i got.

Nah..all I can see is basically your outline..I wouldn't recognize you from that reflection if you was two feet from me. I was just pulling your leg :)

[Squizzy246B]

Nah..all I can see is basically your outline..I wouldn't recognize you from that reflection if you was two feet from me. I was just pulling your leg :)

Yeah...we don't want any more resolution than that...you'll scare off the new members...:D:D

[sdPete]

More available if interested....

[MKTEF]

Nice pics:D:drinkup

Good pics of graders, is always welcomed here at the forum!

So please, don't feel any hesitation regarding posting.:D

[Grader4me]

More available if interested....

Bring them on...Love to see pictures of graders.

[sdPete]

Vammas looked like interesting machine. Have to check if they have a website.


Put in a few days pushing out shoulders, temp stayed at 0 up to 5 F.

[Grader4me]

Nice machine! So what is it like for power? Traction? getting used to the no steering wheel? Good lighting system?

[sdPete]

Power is good, it has the VHP feature that adds 5hp per gear, I have not been in many situations where power was limiting factor so far. Fuel use seems low compared to the 140H.

Steering works fairly well, situations which need a lot of steering action are handled quickly by leaning the stick one way or the other. 10 mph or less I get along with it fine. Higher speeds are still a challenge. Cold weather is a factor as well, the system response is slower, stick is stiff and takes more movement for fine tune steering, gets better when cab is fully warmed. Cold weather package option heater has plenty of output.

This machine was requested with most of the available lighting options installed, plenty of light. Don't think cars are too happy meeting me at night. The top cab lights do produce some glare on the mirrors so sometimes I run with them off. Heated mirrors defrost themselves. Air ride seat is nice.

Traction is good, I would suppose the tires get the credit there, but it seems to haul itself along well enough I don't worry much about slippage. The territory I do is gravel roads entirely so there is usually some grit available.

[MKTEF]

Interresting to hear.:)

The "workinspectiondepartement"(arbeidstilsynet) has denied the Cat graders to go faster than 30km/h 18.6mph because of the lack of backupsystem to the stearing.(loose electrisity and it stops working)
I haven't had this confirmed by any driver yet, but working on it.;)

Any Norwegians here that drive one? And knows for sure?

Rumors say that the speed limitation is working on the power too.
So the lack of power can depend on this.
Haven't had the oportunity to discuss this with a operator yet.;)

Vammas website is down now, due to the fact that they are bought up by Veekmas.
And its no info on those models on the Veekmas site.:(

Please don't stop posting now, we are interrested in all info!:D

[Grader4me]

.Steering works fairly well, situations which need a lot of steering action are handled quickly by leaning the stick one way or the other. 10 mph or less I get along with it fine. Higher speeds are still a challenge. Cold weather is a factor as well, the system response is slower, stick is stiff and takes more movement for fine tune steering, gets better when cab is fully warmed. Cold weather package option heater has plenty of output.

I keep going back to the no steering wheel thing...you would think that I would just get over it but.. I know I would like all of the other controls, features, state of the art stuff that this grader has to offer.

As sdPete, we are in the business of plowing snow, so it's really good to hear feedback on how this grader performs with this task. In some areas you have to do a lot of manuvering and multi task with different applications. Anyone that's plowed snow with a grader understands what I'm talking about. To take a steering wheel out of the mix.....call me old fashion I guess...I suppose as I've said before..you get used to it...

[equipment fan]

sound a good grader.

MKTEF,any pictures from you grader at the show?

[Grader4me]

Here is a few pictures from Craigs manufacturing here in New Brunswick. The first picture is the type of set up that we have for our wings

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This second picture is a hydraulic wing trip swivel that I never knew they made. I just have to get out more... I think this is a really good idea because if the wing hits something hard it will trip, also you can change the pitch on your wing at any time. I going to look into the cost etc..

12308

Last picture here is a front plow that I think is similar to MKTEF's pictures. Again, another one of Craigs products that I never knew they made. We purchase most of our plow equipment from them.

12309

[MKTEF]

You are right grader4me, they are very alike our ones.:)

But our produsers construct them with a shorter distance from the tip to the bracket.
Here is some pics of one modell we got a number of.:)
Only difference is we dont got the "driftshade" on top.
Here u see it got big rubberbands that keeps its sections down.
Theese can be turned to both sides, hydraulicaly.
This modell is made with a trucklift system.
It is connected to the truck bracket as shown in this thread:
http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?p=63053#post63053

A very nice solution that follows ground good and goes over things instead of tripping in them:).

[Grader4me]

Cool plow MKTEF. Could you send me one? :) I like the idea of the wing trip as pictured above. I wish this had been available years ago. Be kind of interesting as to how much it will take before it trips. Also like the idea of being able to control the pitch of the wing.
What kind of wing set up do you have in your area?

[MKTEF]

Well, www.overaasen.no has a number of theese in stock for sale.:D
They are unused, but is on sale as used ones.(pics from them)
Made by a German firm, Kaltenbacher, i mean was the name.
This design dosen't tripp at all, hit anything, it just goes up and over.
The segments are rounded, so the force makes them go up.;)
Real nice design, we only use theese when we do snowclearing with a blade on the wheelloader.
But a snowbucket or a foldable blade is needed on those big lots.:)

We don't have any wings like u got on any graders here in scandinavia.
Some got a snowblower on the side, but they are rare.
The swedes got some systems, but they are more like the ones under.

Some trucks got a sidewing, but they are for wide highways, so u plow two lanes.:)

Plowing is always done by trucks here around.(on roads)
They even got extendable plows for the trucks, it extends by 3 foot apr., into the middle of the road.(hydraulic operation of course)
Graders is for ice and hardpacked snow removal.;)
Grade first, plow throws it up and over the snowedge.
Contractors got 1 grader and 4-6 trucks, so the grader got a real big area to be on call for....

Graders have been on a downside the last years, but is a growing equipment now.:cool:

[sdPete]

This is not recommended solo, only way I could do it was find a spot with no snow, so steering was the only thing going on....

[bobcat ron]

Do you trust the joy stick for steering at full speeds?

[Grader4me]

sdPete, are you happy with your new grader? I look at the pictures and read your posts, but have never heard any "yipees" out of you. Lets have it..Your thoughts?...Sorry if I'm putting you on the spot, but I just have to know :yup :wink2

[roadrunner]

This is not recommended solo, only way I could do it was find a spot with no snow, so steering was the only thing going on....

sdPete;
I was wondering what your M is like plowing in 8th.Does the cold affect the steering and also is it speed sensitve the faster you are going? If your wing hits or digs in can you counter react in time before going in the ditch?

I run a 160H in the winter and wanted to demo the M but CAT could not bring one out in time.:beatsme

[Countryboy]

Welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums roadrunner! :drinkup

[sdPete]

Ron - about trusting the joystick - answer is yes. After a couple hundred hours the intuitive response is working ok, I don't THINK about steering much. High speed control is fine, takes very little stick movement which comes with practice.

Roadrunner - 8th gear plowing - haven't done it. 7th at 17 is about max for me, all gravel roads here, tires throw rocks, windows do break. Steering is stiff when cold and takes about an hour of running time to find "normal", response is modulated in higher gears. So far I have been able to react in time, never have felt like the joystick raised the risk any. A 160H in snow, the thought of that much power, uff da.

Grader4me - happy with the machine - yes, but I'm not a "yippee" kind of guy. If you're looking for a Motor Trend type of review full of gushing praise it won't be written by me. The M grader does all the things most any recent production machine would do, but the controls are all different. I'm 50 years old with enough experience and developed habits to make change a challenge. Some of the things that need to be learned to run the M grader were details I never anticipated, I think over time I'll get there. For instance, cruising to the end of a mile, release throttle, downshift, unlock differential, turn the corner. Then click the button a time or two for upshift, click button on other joystick to lock differential, and my mind prepares for a change in machine momentum (thinking upshift) and I end up leaning forward in the seat, grrr. Another little annoyance is the 4-5 shift, the 5-4 shift is worse - many times that downshift causes me to bump the stick and drop the blade on the left side. So far no combination of throttle / clutch / shift interaction helps, engine at idle is about the best to be had, if stopping click trans to neutral from 5th. Lots of plusses, air ride seat, great visibility, better ladder, ground level fueling, quiet cab, heated mirrors, ventilation system keeps windows fog free, hydraulic noise minimal as pump is no longer under cab, plenty of lights, engine power noticable increase, burns much less fuel than the H model previous, to name a few. The throttle pedal / lock button setup takes some time to master, usually I use Auto mode which has a resume feature similiar to cruise control. Auto mode disables itself if the foot throttle is moved more than 20%, so sometimes when going up a hill I begin to press on the foot pedal which at a certain point releases the throttle lock prior to getting the pedal down to match the original set point resulting in loss of power and a sometimes awkward lurch. The blade slide shims and circle slack adjustment are supposed to be easier but I haven't done either of those yet. Brake system is hydraulic as compared to air on previous models.

Yeah, I suppose I could write a while more but you get the picture, nice machine but not perfect. Don't know if there is or ever will be. So far I have not talked to anyone else with experience running an M doing what I do, so read what I write with a grain of salt, so to speak. Seems like there are a lot of people curious about the M, so I try to pass on some of what I know.

[Grader4me]

Didn't really think you was a yippee kind of guy, and no I'm not looking for a gushing review. I was just looking for an honest opinion of how you felt about your grader.
You see, I can relate because we are the same age and basically do the same things with a grader. Although now I do more training than actual operating.
Your explaination is excellent, as I can almost picture myself in the seat as I read. Just goes to show that us old farts can adjust to new technology as well as the younger generation.
Thanks sdPete for your feedback as I really appreciate it. :)

[roadrunner]

Visited the wintear days on Tuesday.:)
DOT arranged this forum.
A lot of speakers talking about snowremoval, snow contracts, public service, airport snowremoval and more.
Lasts from monday to thursday.;)

The dealers of winter equipment where present with some of their stuff. Snowblowers, sand spreaders, salt spreaders, graders, plows and more.:D

Demonstrations out in the field after lunch each day.
It takes place on a hotell at the end of a skislope.(Beitostølen)
2 km with a bus up to the "mountain".:rolleyes:

I pictured the graders present. A Veekmas(Vammas 281), 140M and our 976.
Our 976 is pictured in another post....;)
MKTEF;
Just wondering how your G976 is to operate with the joysticks and do you have a steering wheel backup for roading or not?Volvo just delivered a G970 and I absolutely love it.I know that Volvo always builds their machines after they get input from operators.There is so many good features on the machine that you don't want to get out of it!Do you have front fenders on your machine? I have seen Volvo's already but what else is good out there?
I only run gravel and dirt roads so if any suggestions let me know!: :D

[MKTEF]

Hello Roadrunner!

Our 976's are custom made by the Norwegian importer.:cool:
All the levers is gone, and a controll central connected to the original volvo central in front of the window.
It consists of smal hydraulic sylinders controlled by a electronic system.
Electronics come from a swedish producer, the system that u got for a steelwrist/rototilt, but with more electronic brains. www.svab.se
Our joysticks is mounted instead of the armrests on the original seat.:)

Stearing wheel and the mid colum is still in place, but no levers...
The system is connected to stearing, gear, and all the extras trough the electronic system.
If u touch the stearing it overrides the joystick.
State dosen't allow us to drive in more than 30 km/h with the joysticks.;)
So i have to switch the joystick stearing off and use the original volvo gearstick and the wheel to get max speed of 50 km/h.

It's not as good view as in a grader with a cabin designed for joysticks, but i am pleased with the solution.
Some time before they where finnished with all the updates and programming from Volvo...But now they just run great!
And thats what experienced Cat drivers say too.(have had some of them inside our for some months now.)

And we got both front and back fenders.:)
Have dismounted the back ones for the chains, but still got the front ones.
There's enough space for our chains still.
I have posted lots of pics around here, check some of the other posts out.;)

[bobcat ron]

Couldn't you people make a quick release steering wheel NASCAR style?

[MKTEF]

Here is some pics of our solution:
http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=2189&page=4

And a pic of our rear fenders.:)

[bushcat]

Hey Roadrunner where bouts are you in NE Saskatchewan?

[roadrunner]

Hey Roadrunner where bouts are you in NE Saskatchewan?

East of nipawin, where you at?

[bushcat]

Hey Roadrunner I'm north of you in creighton toooo cooold for ice fishing -44 with windchill today so I guess I'll be stoking the woodstove and playing on the puter.

[dayexco]

sdpete, where in so dak you from? watetown here

[sdPete]

dayexco - Beresford, rural operation here. Snowdrifts got hard on Saturday, slow going, lotsa carrying on to get down to the road in places.

What's it like in Watertown lately?