TD20, d7g, d6m n r, d8h, 750/850 deer. Thoughts and suggestions?

[Georgia Iron]

Here is my truck and new trailer. I have not got to test this out yet, I am worried about having the metal floor. I am wondering if it should cut it out and install some oak boards.

 

[Welder Dave]

Forgot the pics. I'd expect the pads were torqued properly if they were installed on a track press. Most track presses have an electric or hydraulic torque wrench. They torque to a certain amount and then mark the bolts to turn an extra 1/3rd to 1/2 a turn more depending on the specific bolts.

 

[Georgia Iron]

Site would not upload them. Been hit and miss.

 

[Welder Dave]

You could put used conveyor belts on the checker plate. I'd paint it with rust converter or box liner before bolting the conveyor belting on. Was the truck parked under a bunch of tree's? My Topkick water truck has some of that discoloration but not as bad.

 

[Georgia Iron]

You could put used conveyor belts on the checker plate. I'd paint it with rust converter or box liner before bolting the conveyor belting on. Was the truck parked under a bunch of tree's? My Topkick water truck has some of that discoloration but not as bad.

Not sure on trailer history. The rust is ust a light surface rust. We have a couple of trailers 45 years old and they have a rust color but no pitting or flaking. They have never been painted. Other trailers I have seen have major pitting and flaking, not sure what causes some steels to do that.

I do have used conveyor belt i havent considered it. I have seen it get slippery when wet. I might consider it.

 

[HarleyHappy]

I’d do something. Those steel decks look good but whooeee when wet. I slid a Cat 120 off one time, when I was turning around and the trailer was on a slight angle and I turned to the wrong side. Didn’t help it was pouring out.

 

[Georgia Iron]

So what do guys suggest on the trailer deck. Cut the plate out or lay conveyor belt on the steel deck. Bolt boards to it?

 

[D5Dan]

I’d vote either bolting conveyor belt onto the steel decking; or bolting a couple strips of 2x wood planking (gives the machine something to bite into)- basically don’t use trailer as is. Especially knowing that Georgia clay alone is some slick/slimy stuff!

 

[bam1968]

It's always easier to spend someone elses money. That being said, I vote for taking the steel off and put some apitong boards on it. Conveyor belt would prob be fine most of the time but it's that 1 time it doesn't work that will bite you in the ***.

 

[skyking1]

I don't see a problem with that deck as much as others do. Once you roll across the corner onto the flat the drama is mostly over. I'd bolt conveyor on it. The climb up to the flat is the dramatic part.
If it were a tilt like that, it would be a bad day most every day. I climb a tilt with steel and some cleats welded onto it. It is a bit puckery.

 

[CM1995]

So what do guys suggest on the trailer deck. Cut the plate out or lay conveyor belt on the steel deck. Bolt boards to it?

I vote conveyor belt. Don't need to make the trailer any taller IMO.

 

[HarleyHappy]

Try it out a few times, you will know after that!

 

[nicky 68a]

Very satisfying to see the new u/c.
Top job completed.
10/10.

 

[Georgia Iron]

Put it threw its paces. 7 hour trial by fire never shut it down. Was excited to see how it would handle compared to the 953.

The few trees and old building were about a 25 min issue. Grade was out by about 5'. This old cat still has what it takes, it will roll the tracks and cram the bucket full of dirt fast. It was not tippy. 100 x 100 pad site. I attempted to keep the low side with minimal fill. 12 to 15"s. Mainly cutting down and bringing outside the slab area up for tractors and trucks to be able to move around the building. Building is going to be 64' wide x 40' long.

We typically leave 7' to 15' slightly sloped outside of the building to carry water away and hopefully keep drainage away from the structure.

 

[Georgia Iron]

 

[Georgia Iron]

 

[Welder Dave]

So how much more productive is it than the 953?

 

[Georgia Iron]

So how much more productive is it than the 953?

There is a difference to me. I have been operating 953s for more than 15 years now. I own 2 of them. The 963 has more power and traction. Super hard clay would just pile into the bucket. Trees and stumps come out so much easier. I was thinking maybe 50% more ability. Certainly 25%. I don't know that i had enough seat time but I did get up one large pine stump that had been cut off. Only clipped one side of the stumps roots then lifted it out.

I set the laser up and checked the pad it was within 2", pretty happy considering I was moving fast. The bucket does not really have a flat top, so basically it was all in feel of the machines response, you can't see a dam thing in front of the bucket.

I did not get a chance to load the truck but was wondering if 3 scoops would do it.

Is it Miller that runs one at a pit loading trucks? What do you think?

It is harder to get on and off. It was harder on my body at the end of the day. Started at 445am back home at 700 pm on my off day.

It is harder to pull with my n14. I pulled a few big hills dropped to 23 mph and was about to shift into low side. I was afraid I would miss the down shift on the split and stop in the road. I killed the truck at one red light twice it would not move easing the clutch out. The whole truck would flex getting it going. I have owned this truck 12 years, trailer is new to me. I rebuilt all the trucks brakes myself, So pretty familiar with the truck.

Brakes sucked ass. I was on wet roads.. I did my adjustment before I left and no stopping power on the down hills. Once at the site I readjusted everything and it was good coming back in. Maybe rust had to burn off I don't know. I just eased along, not pushing any real speeds. I checked all axles on arrival and the drums and tires were hot so they were working.

Once I hit speed the truck just moved along. It rode smooth and felt good. Stopped straight. Starting out was "the problem".

 

[Welder Dave]

I'm guessing the return-to-dig bucket leveler isn't working or is disconnected? From what I've read I think a 963 is maybe the best all around Cat track loader for medium to large jobs. Nimble like a 953 but not overly big like a 973. Kind of a 953 on steroids.

 

[MG84]

Looks good. I'd love to have some equipment like that, transporting it is the problem around here. With some grades exceeding 20%, most of the guys with a 963 are hauling them with a semi. 953 is a good load for a stout tandem in these parts, even so there are a few steep stop signs you try to avoid. Had a chance to buy a 977L a while back for a good price, but at 48,000lbs transporting it would be a major issue. It was stout though, I got to run it on a land clearing job and it would take out a 30" pine stump in two passes.