Grader4me
Senior Member
I did live close to Moncton but now living in Cambridge Nova Scotia. I worked on the trans labrador highway last summer
Holy smokes...bad combination ..lolMy wife is a Cape Bretoner, and I'm a Miramichier.
Deere has used this cab since the D models. Great visibility everywhere except out the lower front corners of the cab. Cat definitely has that in their favor.
The thumb switches do appear to be quite a reach.
I think it takes several hours in any machine to be accustomed to the controls. Being familiar with the CAT controls I'm sure Deere's setup is aggravating.
I was shifted from an M series grader I've been running for this company last week to operate their new aquisition, 770G ex shire council 10,000hrs.
I avoided jumping on an M for many years but now I'm really enjoying the visibility & how efficient I have become on the M.
Climbing in to the 770, felt very congested & confining. I can compare it to my grand children's high chair! John Deeres' obsession with it's tractor style "control arm" isn't a winner with me or a few other larger frame operators. Dismounting the operators area is a pain in A$$.
The lever steering was obviously an after thought! one the first things I switched off. An old style cab with poor vision
The noise from the A/c fans are bad in the M but this is horrendous, earplugs & earmuffs !
the rear camera is a great idea but all you see is the spare wheel with rippers up. The only thing which it has, hands down over the Cat M is the self cleaning radiator with time adjustable reversible fan
As far as I'm concerned JD's attempt of an upgrade falls well short of what it could have been If this is all they could come up with they should stick to building farm tractors
I guess everybody has their own opinion. Head trainer at the operating engineers training center has run graders close to 40 years. They have a JD 770G, 140M and a new straight 140 with conventional controls. He likes the 140 but also said the JD's have come a long way and he likes it.