cat320
Charter Member
I like running my backhoe but have alot of fun with the skid stere but I would like to run and excavator loots of fun to run those compared to a backhoe.
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What do you like to run?
- Thread starter RonG
- Start date
digger242j
Administrator
I was looking at a sloppy site the other day and it occured to me that these days I'd say it needed to be done with an excavator, but 25 years ago I'd have just gotten on the backhoe (2wd too) and done what needed to be done.
littledenny
Well-Known Member
My personal vote is for backhoes, with a small dozer in a close second.
Spent summers working myself thru school on equipment in the mid 70's. Started on a Bobcat, and quickly moved to a Wabco scraper - with toggle switch steering, and a Scoopmobile. The story of nearly killing myself on that old scraper is fodder for another time. Even got a chance to try on a cable operated Cat dozer and a roadgrader - quite thrilling for a 18 year old kid. Only instruction I got on any of it was "Treat it like a woman, beat on it!". Lookimg back on it, it wasn't much for advice, and I learned by the seat of my pants.
Now that I've retired from the Army, I'm enjoying a return to operating. Worked for a bit with a JD 310SE backhoe, a JD loader and a small JD 6 way dozer. Got pretty good with the thumb on the hoe - as we spent most of our time clearing mountain home sites. Got good thrills out of sidesloping the dozer, felling trees, and them sorting logs with the hoe.
Starting my own business, looking at buying a JD 110 TLB, and working small jobs by myself. I rent other equipment, as necessary, so I'm getting a bit of experience with small excavators and such. Think for my application, the little backhoe, with a few attachments will be right for the majority of jobs I do. Don't want to go too big, after all, I'm supposed to be retired. Trouble is, at 51, I'm not ready to kick back and let the youngsters have all the fun.
Spent summers working myself thru school on equipment in the mid 70's. Started on a Bobcat, and quickly moved to a Wabco scraper - with toggle switch steering, and a Scoopmobile. The story of nearly killing myself on that old scraper is fodder for another time. Even got a chance to try on a cable operated Cat dozer and a roadgrader - quite thrilling for a 18 year old kid. Only instruction I got on any of it was "Treat it like a woman, beat on it!". Lookimg back on it, it wasn't much for advice, and I learned by the seat of my pants.
Now that I've retired from the Army, I'm enjoying a return to operating. Worked for a bit with a JD 310SE backhoe, a JD loader and a small JD 6 way dozer. Got pretty good with the thumb on the hoe - as we spent most of our time clearing mountain home sites. Got good thrills out of sidesloping the dozer, felling trees, and them sorting logs with the hoe.
Starting my own business, looking at buying a JD 110 TLB, and working small jobs by myself. I rent other equipment, as necessary, so I'm getting a bit of experience with small excavators and such. Think for my application, the little backhoe, with a few attachments will be right for the majority of jobs I do. Don't want to go too big, after all, I'm supposed to be retired. Trouble is, at 51, I'm not ready to kick back and let the youngsters have all the fun.
woberlin
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2004
- Messages
- 111
- Location
- malvern, ohio
- Occupation
- excavating contractor/bodyshop owner
I have to say it's a toss up between an excavator and a dozer.
Doing finish work tends to get a little tedious at times, but clearing land and roughing in a job are alot of fun for me. I also enjoy driving my tandem dump.
Doing finish work tends to get a little tedious at times, but clearing land and roughing in a job are alot of fun for me. I also enjoy driving my tandem dump.
slagpot
Well-Known Member
This is a very simple question you ask.My answer is too simple.....a friggin P&H 4100 mining shovel!!!!!!!
Tell me this wouldn't be the coolest job to go to everyday. A 4100 operator is most likely a stressful job...but hey it would be worth every second.
Patrick
Tell me this wouldn't be the coolest job to go to everyday. A 4100 operator is most likely a stressful job...but hey it would be worth every second.
Patrick
itsgottobegreen
Well-Known Member
ANY MACHINE I OWN THATS PAID FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yup :thumbsup
but other wise anything with tracks.
but other wise anything with tracks.
Grader4me
Senior Member
Hummmm...let me think....grader! Second would be a backhoe. Very little seat time on a dozer but that would be third.
Wolf
Senior Member
Excavator and Bobcat (although a little bouncy). Love doing demo with the excavator and cleanup with Bobcat. CAT 973L is a blast too.
CascadeScaper
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2005
- Messages
- 1,162
- Location
- Lynnwood, WA
- Occupation
- 2nd year Operating Engineer Apprentice
I'll take an excavator any day, any size. I really like 15 and 20 ton machines, but a 12 ton handles the addiction just fine. Backhoes don't bother me, dozers are alright, loaders are a bit boring, skid steer doesn't bother me, CTL/MTL's are fun as hell. Never run a scraper, grader, or an articulated truck but would love to give it a go someday.
JimBruce42
Senior Member
excavator... baling dirt as fast as I can, loading trucks. It's what I've always wanted to do, and some day I'll get to, it's just a matter of when, and how big a machine:yup :thumbsup
tylermckee
Senior Member
Excavator, dozer, backhoe
In that order, usually.
In that order, usually.
Squizzy246B
Administrator
Loaders...I like Loaders
But I always had a desire to run a grader. I really admire those old guys who built millions of miles of roads in this country with nothing more than a few pegs. No air con..rough as guts machines, no lasers or GPS...those guys where artists in a grader.
But I always had a desire to run a grader. I really admire those old guys who built millions of miles of roads in this country with nothing more than a few pegs. No air con..rough as guts machines, no lasers or GPS...those guys where artists in a grader.
farmerted44
Well-Known Member
I am the only one to admit i enjoy running scrapers. I really like the new caterpillar 627G models. Scrapers are what i am best at so i guess i enjoy them the most although i am getting more seat time in blades and i do enjoy the challenges they offer....
