Grader production.
Hi, Folks.
I just had a look at the Ironrecord site that MKTEF posted and I can see a few holes in the listings for Cat 12 graders alone without looking at any other models. I didn't see any listings for Cat 12 9K, 8T, S8T, 94C or 70D models.
The 9K's were produced during WW2 and maybe a little later, were U.S. built (to the best of my knowledge) and the only one I operated was ex U.S. Army Engineers.
I think the 8T replaced the 9K and was made in the U.S.. The S8T was the Australian-built version of the 8T, built under license DownUnder by Steelweld. I only got to run one of each.
I think the 94C was the first Australian-built grader from Cat's plant in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia but I open to correction on this and I only got to run one of them too. All of the above were pre 'E' series. I think the 94C was the 'C' series.
The next model that I know of to come from the Australian plant was the 21F, followed by the 17K, both of which are listed on Ironrecord. However, I don't recollect seeing any mention of the 70D series which I understand was the U.S. built version of the Australian-built 17K. I have had U.S. people tell me that there was no such thing as a 17K series Cat 12 grader 'cos they never got to see them. They tend to insist that the 70D followed the 21F. Different countries, different series designations.
I haven't run anything later than a G series Cat, 12G, 140G, 14G and 16G and I liked all of them. I have run a JD670B and thought it wasn't bad but didn't think it was all that good either, especially with that idiotic bass-ackwards trans control.
I have run a 'Kummagutsa' GD825 and I liked it too, particularly the manoeverability - it would turn inside the Cat 14G working on the same site - and the fact that you sit on the back end and the front articulates. It also had a fair amount of grunt and could put it on the ground, especially when the diff locks were working. I think it would have out-worked a Cat 16G but it was around 2 tons heavier too, as many 'Kummagutsa' 'equivalent' models are.
I've run a few Mitsubishi graders, an MG100, an MG400 and an MG330, and I wouldn't give you 2 paltry pinches of pickled possum poo for them. I'd almost rather be on an Fiat-Allis 65B grader. Almost. LOL.
I've never run an H series Cat and I'll be surprised if I ever get my grubby lunch-hoooks on an M series, much as I would like to. However, I have run the double joystick Cat wheel loaders and liked them and didn't have any trouble getting used to them. Having said that, I also admit that there are a few more gadgets and gizmos on the M series joysticks.
Cab size? I don't know 'cos I haven't been in any of the later ones, Volvo included. BUT, if you want to talk cab size, I'd back the O&K G350 against all of your fancy modern toys. There was heaps of room in that cab for my lunchbox - and it was a bit bigger than the lunchbox(?) in the photo above - and for my 22 year-old son too. But then it WAS a 42-ton machine too.
Maybe I'm a dinosaur but I'm with Northart on the subject of operator health with the new generation of minimal effort controls. How many companies are going to set up gymns on site so their operators can get a bit of decent exercise before they go home to their totally electronic-ised, effort-free accomodation. I suspect that unless we make some moves to compensate for it, the fact that we no longer hunt sabre-toothed tigers or the like may be the downfall of the human race. How many of you younger operators would take on a 2U D8 or a D9D for an hour, let alone for a day or day in and day out for 20 years? How many of you would take on a 'knuckle-buster' Cat 12 grader for an hour, let alone day in and day out for 20 years?
It is for the above scenario, as well as for their bravery and dedication, that I take my hat off to the folks in our various armed forces, especially the ones who might find themselves at the 'sharp end'. They DO put in the effort, as well as putting their lives on the line.
'Nuff said. (Well-trained little soapbox puts itself back in its corner until next time.)
