Cat 225...switcing from Cat to Deere controls?

[special tool]

I don't suppose anyone might know offhand how to switch a pilot 225 from Cat to Deere controls?
There are 8 pilot connections in the cab on either side of the seat at the bottom rear.....

All experienced input is most welcome.
Thank you - Lutjen.

 

[ncbschzzt]

225 what?

 

[murray83]

A 225 excavator....

By a Deere pattern I'm guessing its most known as "backhoe controlls" ? now I don't wanna sound rude but it might be cheaper all around to take your 225 out to a field somewhere and practice the other pattern I too started on "backhoe" style patterns and ever since I've ran excavators more and more its become more easier on excavator type patterns and honestly if I step into a backhoe now I look like a complete rookie.

But if your dead set on it contact your local Cat dealer on possibly getting some pointers and advise on the change up or show you exactly what lines you need to switch and maybe befriend a good local hydraulics specialist to give you a hand if things get rough.

Good luck

 

[lowboy driver]

jd controls suck, why does jd think they are so cool they can have their on controls? i hate when people whine that they cant operate normal "cat" style controls like 99% of the rest of the world. i think your only option is to study the hose pattern and start switching hoses around

 

[Reuben]

A 225 excavator....

By a Deere pattern I'm guessing its most known as "backhoe controlls" ? now I don't wanna sound rude but it might be cheaper all around to take your 225 out to a field somewhere and practice the other pattern I too started on "backhoe" style patterns and ever since I've ran excavators more and more its become more easier on excavator type patterns and honestly if I step into a backhoe now I look like a complete rookie.

But if your dead set on it contact your local Cat dealer on possibly getting some pointers and advise on the change up or show you exactly what lines you need to switch and maybe befriend a good local hydraulics specialist to give you a hand if things get rough.

Good luck

Plain and simple... if you can jump back and force from a excavator to a backhoe with out having to think about the controls or " retrain" your brain you are going to work more safe and more efficiant. I had a "I am a good operator" that ran ISO (cat) his whole life jump in our backhoe to go to a job and he was worthless!! The customer almost sent him home. I know here in north central pa and the general area most operators run SAE (john deere). We have pattern changers on all of our equipment now...even the backhoes. I am thankful I was given the gift to run equipment either ISO or SAE.


Set the controls how you want them and like them. It is your machine.

 

[redlaker1]

I have no knowledge of cat 225s specifically, but I would think it would be easier to switch the pilot lines at the valve bank where they are pretty close together, rather than pulling the hoses around to switch them at the controls. the experts can correct me if I'm wrong.

this year I decided to switch to cat controls from deere, I just find that more excavators have cat controls, and I don't run backhoes. so I thought it would be better to go with cat controls before the deere pattern was too imprinted in my brain, at first it was weird, but now its second nature.... I am glad I did it

 

[Steve Frazier]

Welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums lowboy driver. Nothing like starting things off on the right foot! Let me suggest you soften the tone of your posts in the future, you will be much better received here.

John Deere is not the only manufacturer with a unique pattern, Case also has a backhoe pattern that is an option in other machines, as well as the old 4 stick pattern. I can sympathize with special tool, I can work much more quickly, safely and accurately with the J/D backhoe pattern than the Cat excavator pattern, no one should be condemned for that.

 

[dumpchuck]

Where I work, the first excavator we owned was a John Deere 690E so our operators got used to those controls. We have since added Cat 325B, 330C, and a 385C as well as a Hitachi 200lc all of which have JD controls. I have switched control patterns on the 325 and on a few other hoes we've rented over the years, the Cat 300 series is fairly simple to change over, However, I have no experience with the older 200 series and I imagine they would be set up different.

 

[Construct'O]

I have no knowledge of cat 225s specifically, but I would think it would be easier to switch the pilot lines at the valve bank where they are pretty close together, rather than pulling the hoses around to switch them at the controls. the experts can correct me if I'm wrong.

this year I decided to switch to cat controls from deere, I just find that more excavators have cat controls, and I don't run backhoes. so I thought it would be better to go with cat controls before the deere pattern was too imprinted in my brain, at first it was weird, but now its second nature.... I am glad I did it

Switch at the valve bank as said here.It might take you a couple trys and a little oil:usa,getting them in the right places.Good luck

 

[LowBoy]

I don't suppose anyone might know offhand how to switch a pilot 225 from Cat to Deere controls?
There are 8 pilot connections in the cab on either side of the seat at the bottom rear.....

All experienced input is most welcome.
Thank you - Lutjen.

That era 225 most likely doesn't have a diverter valve like the newer "300" series to switch back & forth. Your local Cat service department should be more than happy to fax you over a copy of the 4 lines you need to switch underneath the cab at the valve body to make the conversion. I obtained a copy recently for an older 307 and had to remove the panel underneath the operator's seat under the house, and switch 4 color-coded lines around. Very simple to do with the diagram, but if you don't have it and try to do it anyways, it could be a disaster.

An outfit I used to work for tried it thinking the "mechanic" could figure it out, and 3 days later they had to call Cat and suck it up. They had it so fouled up, the swing was the boom, the boom was the stick, etc., and all they had to do was call in the first place to get the diagram.
Call Cat with your serial # and they'll hook you right up.

I just went to work for a new outfit that has 5 excavators...all Cats with John Deere controls. I would switch the valve and run it normally, then the other guy would switch it to JD and run it for 15 minutes, than I'd get in and AWWW...:Banghead back out and switch again. I was doing this with no exaggeration 10 times a day till I finally said I can't take it anymore...12 other guys aren't going to change for ME...so I retrained my brain one day when I was working by myself so I wouldn't kill anybody.

Now I'm right at home again with the JD pattern, but I still say it's an un-natural act to run it that way. The boom on my right hand and curling the bucket at the same time with Cat pattern is a natural function to me. I was able to fine grade with Cat pattern easily because the stick was being worked with my left hand back then, but oh well... I still get in and have to think of the first "move" that first time in the morning, so I don't look like a moron.

Hope that helped, good luck.

 

[qball]

a topic close to my heart. i can rune a combination hoe with deere controls all day long and jump in an excavator with cat controls no problemo. put me in an excavator with deere controls and i am lost.

 

[Dwan Hall]

Why not have Cat or your self install a diverter valve so the pattern can be changed at will?

 

[stock]

Over here We !!!!!

Over here they have standardised all excavators from a.5t robot to what ever on the other end

move the left control left to right excavator slews left to right
move the left control forward or back dipper/stick moves in and out
move the right control forward or back boom goes down or up
move the right control left or right bucket crowds or opens

so any trac excavator I put my bum in is the same setup

Stock

 

[Woodboatdave]

Us old dogs can't change control patterns after 30 years, it's an easy change out at the valve bank like lowboy says.
For my 2 cents worth, boom and swing on the left and bucket and stick on the right makes sense although the kids will argue with you on that. It's nice to see the new stuff with the pattern changers so you can have it your way.

 

[HeyUvaVT]

i got into a rental kubota mini the other day that was setup with cat controls and was like learning how to walk all over again...i determined that i should be able to run both tho so after about an hour of looking like a new born giraffe on discovery i got the hang of it and i am better for the time spent

 

[special tool]

Hey thanks for all the replies, guys.

Well of course some of you are right I should just practice the Cat so I can run both.
Problem is (and this is honest) that I really enjoy having my old man (waaay over retirement age) occasionally stoop to help me out on one of my jobs.....and there is no way in heck that I would get HIM to change, so I have an excuse for myself also.

Lowboy - thank you for those suggestions, they are good.

 

[special tool]

I have no knowledge of cat 225s specifically, but I would think it would be easier to switch the pilot lines at the valve bank where they are pretty close together, rather than pulling the hoses around to switch them at the controls. the experts can correct me if I'm wrong.

this year I decided to switch to cat controls from deere, I just find that more excavators have cat controls, and I don't run backhoes. so I thought it would be better to go with cat controls before the deere pattern was too imprinted in my brain, at first it was weird, but now its second nature.... I am glad I did it

That is also good thinking, thanks.

 

[LowBoy]

I didn't think of it quick enough as Dwan Hall had said...you could have a diverter valve installed easily enough so all you have to do is flip the lever every time a southpaw jumps in the cockpit, only thing is, (I just went through this until last week when I retrained my grey matter to JD again...)the next guy's never as courteous as the first.

It's been a week since my rebirth, but I still have to think about the first initial move when I get in the saddle. It's an un-natural act----this John Deere deal....:thumbdown

 

[OCR]

That is also good thinking, thanks.

Hello, special tool.

I know I'm looking right at it, but it's just not sinking in...
Give me a little help on...

That is also good thinking

It can't be the the hour meter or the grab handle... and I can't tell what's laying by the seat... :beatsme

Sorry for the bother...


Regards,

OCR

 

[OCR]

Or... is that handle with the round knob, on the seat pedestal, a pattern changer???


OCR