Anyone here have experience of cat elevated sprocket machines that were built with the clutch and brake still manual (as in not electric over hydraulic aka finger tip control) but were positioned on the left side in front of the transmission control? Like this
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Just wondering how it was like to use compared to the earlier machines with the levers right out in front aka D9H, D8K, D7G etc etc.
I have run a number of 10's with this arrangement. It is fine. However, I agree with CM1995 and much prefer differential steering. The two lever machines are easier to run than the older clutch and brake machines.
If I had to choose between the two though I would probably pick the older arrangement. Physically over 12 hour shifts it seemed more comfortable then the two lever which just killed my shoulder. You pulled it into the clutches and harder it would lock and turn hard.
I spent a lot of time in a 9T with a tiller and that was just the best thing since popped corn. I got real territorial about that machine. If I could select one machine from my career to have delivered to the house to keep... that 9 would be it.
It was a joy to operate. It was powerful and much more nimble than a 10. With the tiller steer and working with 793's it got to where it felt like a 6. I used to wonder about doing platt development with it.
I am not a huge 10 fan until the R's showed up with differential steer and then the T's. The T's are light years ahead of the two lever N's. Diff steer makes those machines very comfortable to run. Like the older machines, once you start your push, steer with the blade.