We had a pc200 and pc300 Komatsu and both had the pressures cranked up good and they were both stout as could be. I ran a pc360 for a demo company for a while and I told them what a derated pos it was compared to the pc300 we had.
I never have been a fan of the joysticks either, I always liked the 963's that I ran until we got a D, and it was the first joystick. I hated it then and still do. Appreciate the honesty!!!!!!!
Man, I grew up running a twin stick 953B, but we recently bought a 973C. I’m not a huge fan of joysticks on loaders, but I make it work. I like the joysticks on a bobcat, but I despise fly by wire on everything else. I swear, it takes ALL OF THE FEEL out of what you’re doing. I can feel exactly what my bucket is doing on my 953B. All that being said, I still like the 973c because of the volume output when loading out trucks..
I just recently ran a 973 with joysticks and I wasn't a fan. I prefer pedals and the V-control. If I remember correctly, the joystick seemed backwards when traveling in reverse?
One tends to like what one is used too...that being said, new tech can go through growing pains...that new joystick direction control is likely fly by wire and so is the loader joystick...it may not be transferring commands to the spool valves properly...take Case backhoes for instance...one would think that the new joystick excavator style controls are the cats ass and the best option but lots of old school backhoe hands will swear the triple stick configuration is way faster and smoother and it could very well be...I would argue this particular tractor has to be put on the laptop and all the sensitivity configurations set up on it!..good luck with that machine!
I dont know why they don't use the hydrostatic dozer controls I find them so much nicer being able to slow down with your foot and use your thumb to dial in the speed you want and you don't get the jerking or unwanted turning from hitting a bump or just moving the lever too far and getting stuck in a feedback loop nearly as much. More like the v pattern for smoothness but the efficiency of a joystick. Like dear God I hate joystick controls but I love cats dozer for hydrostats.
We have a 2020 973k at work and it's been nothing but a nightmare. It's broke down 10-15 days a month. We've gotten to know our Cat service tech pretty well. It turns like a boat it's jerky as hell and rides rough. Our 2003 D6 rides like a Cadillac compared to the 973.
Are you the mk 2 version of the the original mk 1 vantages he wore a cap and glasses 10 years ago you have more colour in your cheeks only similarity is the rants lol
I used to run a 963C when I lived in Omaha but when I move to Denver I learned that no one has even heard of a track loader. I've gotten pretty good on wheel loaders since then and in our 966 it has a joystick instead of a steering wheel and I think it's fucking awesome
I ran one of those back in 2017. I kept slamming my feet on the floor trying to steal! 😂 the one I drove had serious balls. I have run 953s 963s but I like the 973 the best. I’m hell on wheels, we’ll tracks on one! 😂😂💪🙌
Is it possible the hydraulic lift is limited to optimize fuel economy. Maybe it is even adjustable? Lifting is usually done when filling and then backing out so speed is not that big a factor. Using it to shift and dump is probably the exception. good review never the less. Thanks
If you watch the videos of any of the other track loaders on this channel you can see how this machine should operate. In our world track loaders rarely load trucks. For us its a pushing machine that can cycle it's dirt.
Give it a chance Alex, you probably aren't used to the wobble stick steering and the machine is set up for shit. I saw two new Cats that came out derated like a bastard in the last 6 months. One was a 325F, and the other was a 939C hystat. Both ran great after they fixed them.
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHY , are the Hydraulics so Damn SLOW ???? That POS looks like it's in slow motion ! Maybe change the fluid filters and SEE if that helps !
Do they still make foot steering, or are all the new ones joystick? I don't think I'd like the joystick either, too much going on with your left hand, and your feet are just sitting there doing nothing. To me, you can't beat the old setup with foot steer and the forward/reverse lever, made direction and speed change super fast and easy.
The next generation 963 and 953 that just came out continue to offer the choice of controls. You can still get the V lever, as well as twin sticks if you want those too. I am not sure if you can get joystick steering and twin sticks together. I would get V lever and twin sticks in a new one.
