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Are we really this spoiled

CatToy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
247
Location
SE Tn
If I am not spoiled, as I get older I want to be. After many years on open cab equipment, the last two pieces have cabs and I will never go back. I do think I am more productive with the cab but do feel I loose a little situational awareness.
 

DPete

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
1,677
Location
Central Ca.
If I am not spoiled, as I get older I want to be. After many years on open cab equipment, the last two pieces have cabs and I will never go back. I do think I am more productive with the cab but do feel I loose a little situational awareness.
I 2nd that, The only luxury I had as a young operator was a reversible fan and a curtain on a D8, always had a pair of insulated coveralls and gloves in the pickup. Ate a lot of dirt, ashes were the worst. Glad I did what I did but wouldn't want to go back.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,432
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
I am a bit spoiled as well but still live in the open world as my budget just won't allow!! As to eye injury, I took a 3/4" cold chisel being used for a pitman arm wedge for removal to my left eye. Thru a safety glass, glass lens. Eye is still here, still sees some but best I can ever achieve is 20/100 with my glasses on. Happened 1987, thirty years coming up and still thankful I at least have the eye in the hole. Just had my latest followup, not much they can do with it to repair any further, cornea damage, iris torn up, lens inside had been flexed and has the initial indication (Still) from the impact of a cataract. I live on, not looking back and did not let it keep me from being mechanic nor driver or operator.
 

chris_james

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2015
Messages
84
Location
Ga
Just about half of our equipment are open cab. All of our dozers are the 963s have cabs but no ac as well as our excavators, scrapers, endumps. Some of our logging equipment and one dozer has ac.
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
I 2nd that, The only luxury I had as a young operator was a reversible fan and a curtain on a D8, always had a pair of insulated coveralls and gloves in the pickup. Ate a lot of dirt, ashes were the worst. Glad I did what I did but wouldn't want to go back.

Hey Dan, Were you suffering in the cold in Central California as a young operator. :D:D:D
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
Ha ha , not sub zero like some people I know but the wet fog we get is chilly and wind is wind, suffered more in the 105 degree heat.

That wet fog is something all right. I think the coldest I have ever been in my life was the first time I took my fishing boat out on San Francisco Bay. The next twelve years I put long johns and rain gear on no matter what the weather forcast was when I went out the gate.
 

Metalman 55

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
1,301
Location
Ontario
20161212_081634.jpg20161212_083557.jpg20161212_084920.jpg

I enjoy the "open air" concept of operation when it is done occasionally. If it was all the time, that would be a different story at my age. :) We got our first substantial snowfall overnight & here we are cleaning up the shove piles & hauling them to another area of the property. Have the fan pulling on the old 955L & it keeps the feet warm & dry at least.
 

Desertwheeler

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
404
Location
Ca
Occupation
Miner
Two things I have seen on some open can machines which I thighs was genius was a heated seat in a open can cat skidsteer, and a heater that kicked blew hot air below the seat right at your legs on a case excavator.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DPete

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
1,677
Location
Central Ca.
I like it when a dust devil sneaks up on you from behind and stirs up every molecule of dust on the deck, you just have to bail. Funny as hell if you have seen it happen to another tractor, guy sitting in the seat concentrating on his work and you see the whirl wind coming his way then the tractor stops, off jumps the operator trying to escape his own micro dust tornado :lmao
 

movindirt

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
672
Location
under a shady tree
At 12 degrees out and wind today sitting on a open cab mini excavator, I was happy when the enclosed cab machine showed up. I'll never own another open cab machine so long as I can help it. Call me spoiled if you want :rolleyes: :D :drinkup
 

BlazinSS934

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
125
Location
Long Island, NY
I work for municipal water supplier in Long Island NY. We work rain or shine, cabs with heat is a must. AC is a nice option. Every winter we have s good cold snap followed by a quick thaw, that equates to 16 hour days and an occasional 24hr. The cab is essential


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

farmerlund

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2014
Messages
1,237
Location
North Dakota
Occupation
Farmer/ excavator
So a few days ago I drove from my heated garage over to a friends farm. Myself and another buddy parked in his heated shop. rode to local pub for $1 burger night.:thumbsup
Came back and drove my pickup out of his warn shop back to my heated garage. No need for a heavy jacket. It was -15F. Spoiled yes. Sure was nice though. ha
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
So a few days ago I drove from my heated garage over to a friends farm. Myself and another buddy parked in his heated shop. rode to local pub for $1 burger night.:thumbsup
Came back and drove my pickup out of his warn shop back to my heated garage. No need for a heavy jacket. It was -15F. Spoiled yes. Sure was nice though. ha

Ya for sure. With remote start and modern clothes, winter is not the same anymore. Still better pack some winter clothes though. Never know when some of this crap fuel will gel. It would happen to me about the same time my cell phone died.
 

Bumpsteer

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
1,333
Location
Front seat on the Struggle Bus
Occupation
Mechanical designer
A friends employer (municipality) just got a new D3 LGP..... traded off 2 surplus military machines, threw some extra cash in and new dozer.

He said its got heat but no cab, wtf? The guy that bought it sure as hell don't run it.

It won't see a lot of hours, but your spending the money, getting a govt. discount make your guys comfortable.

Ed
 
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