Thank you for the video! I'm 30 years old with over 30k hours in a pit loader I now find myself in a position to train new people ( there hasn't been any here in 10 years) and I honestly completely forgot the first struggles I had as a beginner. This was a great refresher course!
Oh man you guys with new machines have it so easy. Bucket Presets, backup cams coffee dispensers back rub actuators, cable tv, air conditioning heat, yeet. Lol. So so nice. Cheers.
I do back-dragging almost everyday at work and seem to fight smoothing contours of the ground, but I’m guilty of slightly raising the front wheels so I’ll definitely try to keep all four on the ground. The 1st gear is also a damn good point. Our Volvo L90H’s have a 1st gear kick down next to the trans brake and also a 1-4 switch on the panel which will let the loader automatically pick 1st if it needs it…however it’s annoying as all hell if you’re taking off in a hurry and it thinks you’re stuck lol
Ive just started on a cat 972. I get assessed tomorrow. I operated 980s, 966s, and scrapers thirty years ago, but this video is a great reminder. I work in fluffy oxide and very hard sulphides on a mine site in Western Australia. That poor loader gets used like a dozer sometimes. But hands down the loader is my favourite because of the variety of work i do as opposed to just loading trucks. Awesome advice, especially with the boom not stopping under powerlines.
That's funny you say guys think a loader is a easy machine, that was me a year in a half ago. Not easy lol, I was the guy that stayed after work when everyone else went home so I could practice. It just burned my butt to see the more experienced guys so much faster and effective, so I secretly stayed after to practice. Believe it or not I'm am actually more effective then them guys now. I'm am still learning everyday and for always! Thanks for all the videos, they really help, hopefully one day I'll be at your level! Thanks!!!
Im glad to see some other folks struggled too. …..I’m learning the loader right now for the Army and Today was my first day on the loader and it was way more difficult than I expected to be honest. We only get two days of training on each piece of equipment and I don’t think that’s enough time 😅😅
Brian, thanks for this. Growing up my dad was a truck driver, and my uncle ran yellow iron. I'll never forget watching him dig basements in a new housing development with a 966 cat loader. He'd look it over, maybe get out and shoot the grade once while he was working it, and the next thing you know, square corners, flat basement, and ready to frame and pour. I spent most of my time in trucks or running heavy wreckers, but I do use construction equpment some of the time, so it's great to see tips like these. \
i am stevedore in lisbon at almost 9 years , i have 3 months of formation of almost all container terminals jobs and yesterday i work for the first time in a wheell loader a volvo in a silica earth for load in a vessell and with the machine i put loads for the crane , i not have formation of this machines ( wheell loaders , bob cats ,etc.) but with the guy explains i work ok , the volvo has only 2 joysticks , i see a lot of buttons ... but only needs 2 joysticks , the direction and break pedals , all ok and now i see this video with a great tips , may be in future i work more and put this tips in action , greats from Portugal.
ive been using loaders for years. dont waste your time trying to level out the bucket yourself. the machine will do it for you. simple. only adjust after it levels if needed... pretty simple. if u got time on your hands go ahead and do it yourself. most loaders these days will level automatically once you tap that stick. anyways. good video brother. i know everyone appreciates this one.
100% agree on the don’t rely on the Auto-Level. I’m only clocked in about 40Hrs so far and my first week was in an Auto-Level Loader, come next week the loader that came didn’t have the feature, now I’m on RUclips listening while I practice 😆
Interesting video, I agree on everything, especially about the bucket tilt automation, it's a feature that comes in hand whit time but not to start whit in a new machine. It's one thing I don't if I heard you mention or maybe it isn't important enough but I remember my teacher in school 22 years ago pointed it out. He said -Never approach a hard packed pile in an angle, he meant the waist of the loader should be straight before going in to the pile whit force so that not only the first axle but also the rear axle is lined straight forward to increase the forward motion from all 4 wheel in the same direction. I thought it could be worth mentioning. All the best from Sweden!
You guys are super knowledgeable with these awesome monsters of machine masterpiece. Thank you for the tips and info. I am becoming an even better operator than I already was because of these videos!!! 💯💯💪🏿💪🏿
Thanks for the video. Been running an old JD 544G for about 4 years. I learned by doing and often get frustrated. I've learned a few new trips and cant wait till my weekend is over to get back into it. I'm glad I don't have all that fancy stuff. I've talked to other operators that have the new machines and they actually envy me and my old dog. Lol
The loader you're in looks like a Caterpillar IT-28 or similar. I use to operate a IT-28 at the warrior run coal generated power plant during the building process.
I’m fixing to run my dads JD 624H loader, it’s a bit older, but nothing I’m not used too, got the same (or similar technically) 4 speed powershift trans like the 410 backhoes. But this I’ll keep in mind, cause I’ve never used it before. But my dad has told me time and time again that it’s pretty scary when you’re turning and lifting at the same time, gets wobbly he said
Learned on a 1968 # International Hough with no brakes. Just learn to load up hill and use the bucket for a bake to stop. With the hough you sit on the front half, nice ride and every ting stays in front. When the hough broke down I bought a little L 50 michigan what a nightmare for a while sitting on the back. Whenever I turned it felt like I could tip over but after a couple of weeks I got it down. Got the hough fixed and now can jump on either machine no problem>
I turn them functions off that auto level got in the way I was filling the hoper on a paver with asphalt and i had to slowly drop and shake the bucket and that auto level kicked scared me a bit lol being in a big machine like that and a bucket of hot asphalt you don't want any mistakes. Good video 👍
One thing to mention about doing tight turns and loading trucks or equipment is there is no issue on smooth level ground... If some ground has bumps or uneveness have to be careful on boom height and weight. Drop into a divot, boom raised, tight turn, ample weight in bucket can send it on its side possibly
Good shit there budd. I have operated a Cat 2019 950M and what a machine,compare to other heavy machines like KCM,Kawasaki,Case and John Deere. None can match the out put of a CAT, The controlles are so easy to muster vs others.
Thanks for watching brother. Those 950m's are serious loaders. I really love how spacious the cab is but I hate the fact that those larger loaders are all twin stick.
The steering is actually much easier on a CAT with the stick. Its not like a Deere or an excavator where if you hold it out it keeps articulating until you hit the stop, it's more like you just point it where you want to go and it stays there. I think they call it Command Control steering with force feedback. Much more difficult to jerk the steering like you can with a wheel.
Semi new loader guy here. Third winter moving salt around, loading my plow truck with salt and sand. Question, can I raise a loaded bucket up while doing a sharp turn safely? High enough to load a dump truck. I usually don’t start raising it up until my wheels are straight and I’m directly in line to load the dump truck. This obviously slows things down a bit. Thanks!
Hi, Brian. Good video and thanks for sharing. You are right about people thinking that front end loaders are 'easy'. But if you really want to challenge them, give them a front end loader with a 4-in-1 bucket and let 'em 'figger' out how to use it to its fullest potential. Then, if you are feeling REALLY cruel, give them a track loader with a 4-in-1 bucket and rippers and send them to level a steep house site with split levels. BUTTTT, send them to operate an earlier model machine with NONE of the fancy bells-n-whistles that you have demonstrated in this video. I think that would be a really good training ground. We have a Cat 966C with NO bucket leveller and what is without a doubt the easiest steering that I have ever encountered on a wheel loader. You can gently 'throw' the steering wheel in whatever direction you want it to go, change direction, speed or both, and 'catch' the steering wheel just before where you want it to stop to ease it down. On turning to load a truck, sometimes it is the hydraulics that will govern the distance that you might need to travel between the dig area and the truck. If you have good quick hydraulics, you can usually take full advantage of that turning radius. If the hydraulics are a little slow, it may help to travel just a little further to keep the revs up to help the hydraulics or maybe pause with the torque converter brake for the same reason. Once again. thanks for sharing. Just my 0.02. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
I like to confuse people on the big forklifts by turning the steering wheel all the way One direction and then click the steering control switch to another position then turn it all the way the other way then clicking it back. When they get on the machine and start it up they can't turn the steering wheel at all in any direction! 😃😁😀 It's sort of like an anti-theft device. They would have to know how to use that steering control switch. The three positions being: 1. 4-wheel steering 2. 2-wheel steering 3. and crab steering
I just got a brand new CAT 980M this week and before it was delivered to me, another of our quarries had run it for about a week (I got it with 40 hours on it). Let me tell you that NOTHING was set correctly. All the kick-outs were way off, the implement positioning system for the hydraulic stops and scale weren't calibrated right, and the scale was nearly 2 tons off per truck! After 1 day during any breaks I had in loading trucks I had everything set perfectly. I can now drop the bucket and cut perfectly level like a dozer. When they delivered it, and you hit the return-to-dig, it would be dragging the heel plates and riding up the pile. It was so easy to fix, but you had to know how to level your bucket by eye and by feel, then push and hold 1 little button and it was all set! They couldn't figure that out in the 40 hours they had it? It took me 5 minutes. As for the hydraulic stops, this machine is supposed to have soft stop abilities so when you get close to the end of the travel limit, it slows the hydraulics a bit to gently come to a stop at the bump stops. However, try tr rack the bucket back and it doesn't go all the way back unless you let go then rack back a second time. Then as you're dumping if you just hold dump it SLAMS into the bottom stop. With the soft stop enabled you should be able to hold the direction and it should slow down about 1-2 inches from the full stop position then lightly bump the stop. Not slamming into but fully resting on the stop. No wonder I was made lead loader operator at this quarry in just over 10 months. (Ok, actually it was because the previous lead operator quit and I was the only loader left, but still lol.) If anyone has any questions about quarries, operating a loader, or specifically about CAT 980M or 982M loaders I'll be happy to help! And remember, always wear a seat belt in any machine, 1 click could save your life.
Yeah...important to learn your machine and set it correctly. My guess is that 40hrs was prob a break in period with a few different operators? Like that slow stop...much less jumpy!
It never ceases to amaze me the number of longtime, experienced operators who don't take the time to go through the machine to change parameters and set the machine up the correct way. I also see a lot of guys that it never occurs to them to change machine parameters for different digging conditions. Good operators know all the little things about their machines and how to tweak them for max performance. Thanks for the comment Wraith!
@@jlew6985 you can usually tell by how it cuts the ground when close to level. If it's cutting too deep it needs to be rolled back a little, and too shallow it won't cut anything but it will just float along the ground. You can also guess and check by getting out and looking at the cutting edge, but most experienced operators can just "feel" if the bucket isn't level while scooping. Once you find that spot where the bucket is close to level, you can choose a reference point that you can use to bring it back to level each time you curl or dump the bucket.
I just hop on this video and I dont know how to drive a front end loader. But it gives me knowledge how to drive it though i need to do it hands-on. I like the way he said do not depend on the auto control as every machine has different settings and learn to do it manually and it will serve you much better which is very truem i am a forklift driver and i want to ask if the control is a bit similar. Thank you.
I used to feel that way about backhoes, kept getting put in them and finally figured them out. now they're my favorite machine for doing civil and roadwork. 4 in 1 all day
Perfect crash course in how to operate a loader! Now, time to go get my tundra out of the mud! This is a last resort. Glad the highway department was working near by! They won’t mind!
I recently retired from the operating engineers and ran mostly loaders for over 20 years. I ran all kinds of loaders up to about a 1050s with one other bigger loader that had joystick controls. I love the 2-4 transmission setting and usually run in auto shift. And I always tried to leave the clutch lockout turned off. I hate the way it jerks when I touch the brake pedal. It was always weird trying to use both pedals at the same time to keep the RPM's up while trying to control the travel speed with the brake pedal. Another main thing I didn't like about some of those was the z bar linkage on the loaders. You can set the bucket level on the ground and as your bucket goes up it curls up a little bit and then it starts dumping about 2/3 of the way up. My extreme preference is for parallel linkage to maintain the same bucket level all the way up and down which is a future on what they call tool carrier machines which is a standard feature on the big forklift, except they use hydraulic parallel linkage, it's not the mechanical parallel linkage that is found on smaller tractors and some farm tractors particularly for using forklifts and hay spears. I agree with practically everything you said. I also prefer buckets that have a heel instead of a rounded back, they are better for grading, like using a grading box in reverse. After so many years I ended up getting trigger finger on several fingers by grabbing knobs and levers a lot. I also liked running mini excavators. I never cared for the big ones. Also hated running scrapers and compactors. Just glad to be retired now. 😉😃
Really good advice mate good work ..yes loading dumpers any size is all about angles lessens travel time saves diesel and really bumps up the tally of loads daily it's called the V
I learned how to operate a loader with farming simulator. I hooked up a steering wheel and a stick and went for it just because I was curious from watching heavy machines as a kid. Then I had the chance to operate a loader at work. They asked me if I can operate it and I said yes. 😂 Luckily the skill transformed well and I never ran into something of what you said cuz I knew by eye whats cool and what not. Learning how to level your bucket by eye is really essential. Oh and always use your brain.
Here goes one. When going into a pile with the rear end out of line pay attention to what your rear and front wheels are on if using the lockers. I've seen people totally forget they are on asphalt or have rear tires that are still on asphalt. Locked axels and turning equals bad times.
Greta tips. We have a John Deere 544L loader at our plant (concrete and mortar plant) and I hate when they leave the loader on Drive 4th gear 😑... I plan on watching all your videos even though we only have 1 loader and nothing else, but I'm gonna get a head start for when I branch out to hopefully become a heavy equipment operator 🤘🏼
I run a deere 544kk-|| an a t 550 bobcat skid steer everyday. I run both. In the loader while watching this vid lol. An the jerking is funny watching guys do that lol. An I down shift to first when I move dirt. Great tips man.
@@DieselandIron it is easy if you have some experience but a totally green person it's gonna kick their ass the first few times. It's the jerking or you'll hear them hit the bucket stops or slam it on the ground ect.. lol.
Something that has helped me is not grounding the bucket going into a pile. Grounding the bucket is for grading. Cutting into a pile with the bucket grounded and struggling to move is slow.. Lifting that bucket when you cut into a pile improves efficiency
When you become quite experienced, you'll realize when you do and don't have to step down on the bucket when you back drag. When you are leveling on an even plain field I agree, don't raise those tires. When you are leveling onto a uneven plain field where there's bumps, step down on the bucket. Be careful though, watch what you're doing because you can make a bigger mess. I'd arguably say that an excavator is a step up to the loader. As the guy said; the controls are easy, easy to drive but what you do with it, the quality, how you do it, how you manipulate it is what makes you a good operator. PS: Recycling yard manager/operator
New driver, I admittedly use most of the aforementioned functions. Auto raise because I'm feeding trommels, hoppers or moxy's so it's always going up the whole way, though being a triple stick machine one fingers always on the stick to cancel any auto function and it's a much more positive lock/detent than the joystick. Use auto level a lot since my transmission toggles on the right of the triple stick cluster and with how close my hopper & discharge are my fingers just aren't long enough to operate 3 sticks & transmission simultaneously to get the bucket in position in what's lucky to be 5 metres. It's easier to just smack it into reverse, Auto level and close my highlift as I come out that way I've only got to hit forward & manually lower my boom which is easy as they're next to each other not on opposite ends of the cluster. Admittedly it's a very triple stick problem, the joystick machine mas more functions on one stick and everything is manual
Some decent info. Been a loaderhand for 10 years. Agree that everyone thinks they can run a loader until it’s time to do loader stuff. Don’t believe me, see how many pipe crew loaderhands get laid off.
I use the auto level but I also self adjust if it doesn't look right or of the loader even has it. Only 2 loaders I've ran had it and both were kumastu, a decade a being a loader operator insured with everything he says because I operate very similar. There was one time they wouldn't get a new blade and it was so rounded off because we deal with a lot of aggregate so it's rounded from and back so I got mad trying to back drag a hum eventually just put all the pressure down to where the front wheels came us and to that hum straight down to the linstone lol. It's mostly limestone where I live in Texas.
Great training video for sure. But the one thing that no new operator is Ever Told is how to lift the bucket as you're going into a heavy pile to prevent digging, they all dig and they can't figure out how to stop it I would love to see your training video on that.
John deere loaders have a setting to make them start in 1st gear all the time. I always start in first because I do alot of root raking and need the torque pretty much all the time
I am operating a big jcb front end loader which is always in second gear in piles cause this piece of junk is so light it will always lift its rear end off the ground. In its defense I operate with a high lift boom and a high tip 6cbm bucket
That setup will do that. The high lift is nice for getting into trucks but it is a pain when it comes to balance especially when you put a pretty good-sized bucket on the machine
That part about not having to back up to get square. I find when I try that going into mulch, the bucket stays where I want but the machine like, power slides away. Naturally, that'll Goin into fill or top too. I'm in ming 10 hrs a day so I get to try all sorts of methods.
Personally I never really use 1st gear because my area is all sand so we just get fill from the hill side and everything is soft so even 2nd gear you can still easily spin and sink
Thanks for the refresher. Tomorrow or Wednesday I have a loader test for a new job in composting, and I don't have much experience. I'm not going to show off, just hoping not to make a complete ass of myself.
I learned on a 924k too with the same bucket, ran that for a few months and got used to using the flat top of it as my gauge for what is level. Next machine was an older John Deere 544J with a different style of bucket where the top just kept at a 45 degree angle or so and had no flat top like the Cat bucket so I couldn't tell what level was. Took me a good month or so to rely on the literal _feel_ of the machine before I started to get things pretty level while pushing forward. Eventually it just became like second nature, no technology required.
Thanks, I been trying to find videos explaining the Instrument Panels on CAT Wheel Loaders but there are none I found on any Series WL. Do you have any vids like this ?
5:00 it's all cool, but when you have a heavy load in a bucket, long arm and irregular terrain, you may flip the machine if it's not straight. The thing is even worse when you have custom bucket which is bigger, so you can overload it Greeting from Poland tho. :D
shut off all auto controls until you know your machine. I have been asked a few times if I want the bucket level fixed, I always say nope, I tweak it anyway. Downshift to 1st before touching the pile, it saves missing shift and charging a pile. Higher gears while pushing is hard on the transmission. The transmission is worth more than the cost of the motor. I've seen someone ( the owner) forget to downshift, dig a test hole in 3rd gear, and trash a transmission. 1st gear will not harm the transmission. A loader works better if you drive in a V or curve when changing direction or forward/ reverse. I operate a 2006 Cat 930G. We have a 2020 930G, i do not like it. We make/sell gravel and concrete. Also do snow removal in central Canada.
34 years old with 11yrs of operating exp at a mine. Im here to tell u if ur new. eventually it all clicks at this point the machine is an extension of myself. i agree heavily that the auto level/auto dig/and return to dig features will do nothing but hinder you as you learn.
Thank you for the video! I'm 30 years old with over 30k hours in a pit loader I now find myself in a position to train new people ( there hasn't been any here in 10 years) and I honestly completely forgot the first struggles I had as a beginner. This was a great refresher course!
Looking to apply for this position next year any tips for the job and interview?
I’ve been running a loader for 3 years, this video has taught me a lot of stuff I did not know about operating a loader
Oh man you guys with new machines have it so easy. Bucket Presets, backup cams coffee dispensers back rub actuators, cable tv, air conditioning heat, yeet. Lol. So so nice. Cheers.
I learned on a 1973 980b. what a gem
Man thank you for this. My job keeps throwing me in new machines faster than i can learn them. Much appreciated.
if they have operator manuals in them. read them. you'll learn a lot
@madjack1748 the only one that had a manual was our brand new Tana 555. It only stayed in there for 2 days.
I do back-dragging almost everyday at work and seem to fight smoothing contours of the ground, but I’m guilty of slightly raising the front wheels so I’ll definitely try to keep all four on the ground. The 1st gear is also a damn good point. Our Volvo L90H’s have a 1st gear kick down next to the trans brake and also a 1-4 switch on the panel which will let the loader automatically pick 1st if it needs it…however it’s annoying as all hell if you’re taking off in a hurry and it thinks you’re stuck lol
Ive just started on a cat 972. I get assessed tomorrow. I operated 980s, 966s, and scrapers thirty years ago, but this video is a great reminder. I work in fluffy oxide and very hard sulphides on a mine site in Western Australia. That poor loader gets used like a dozer sometimes. But hands down the loader is my favourite because of the variety of work i do as opposed to just loading trucks. Awesome advice, especially with the boom not stopping under powerlines.
That's funny you say guys think a loader is a easy machine, that was me a year in a half ago. Not easy lol, I was the guy that stayed after work when everyone else went home so I could practice. It just burned my butt to see the more experienced guys so much faster and effective, so I secretly stayed after to practice. Believe it or not I'm am actually more effective then them guys now. I'm am still learning everyday and for always! Thanks for all the videos, they really help, hopefully one day I'll be at your level! Thanks!!!
Im glad to see some other folks struggled too. …..I’m learning the loader right now for the Army and Today was my first day on the loader and it was way more difficult than I expected to be honest. We only get two days of training on each piece of equipment and I don’t think that’s enough time 😅😅
Brian, thanks for this. Growing up my dad was a truck driver, and my uncle ran yellow iron. I'll never forget watching him dig basements in a new housing development with a 966 cat loader. He'd look it over, maybe get out and shoot the grade once while he was working it, and the next thing you know, square corners, flat basement, and ready to frame and pour. I spent most of my time in trucks or running heavy wreckers, but I do use construction equpment some of the time, so it's great to see tips like these. \
Thanks for the compliment Jim! I appreciate you watching!
i am stevedore in lisbon at almost 9 years , i have 3 months of formation of almost all container terminals jobs and yesterday i work for the first time in a wheell loader a volvo in a silica earth for load in a vessell and with the machine i put loads for the crane , i not have formation of this machines ( wheell loaders , bob cats ,etc.) but with the guy explains i work ok , the volvo has only 2 joysticks , i see a lot of buttons ... but only needs 2 joysticks , the direction and break pedals , all ok and now i see this video with a great tips , may be in future i work more and put this tips in action , greats from Portugal.
ive been using loaders for years. dont waste your time trying to level out the bucket yourself. the machine will do it for you. simple. only adjust after it levels if needed... pretty simple. if u got time on your hands go ahead and do it yourself. most loaders these days will level automatically once you tap that stick. anyways. good video brother. i know everyone appreciates this one.
Great tips for new operators!!!! My one critique would be...make sure you have your seatbelt on!!! This is 101!!!!
Basic info that takes some years to learn... which makes a video like this very useful to many.
100% agree on the don’t rely on the Auto-Level. I’m only clocked in about 40Hrs so far and my first week was in an Auto-Level Loader, come next week the loader that came didn’t have the feature, now I’m on RUclips listening while I practice 😆
I ran one of these for a class mates construction company part time and enjoyed it.
Interesting video, I agree on everything, especially about the bucket tilt automation, it's a feature that comes in hand whit time but not to start whit in a new machine. It's one thing I don't if I heard you mention or maybe it isn't important enough but I remember my teacher in school 22 years ago pointed it out. He said -Never approach a hard packed pile in an angle, he meant the waist of the loader should be straight before going in to the pile whit force so that not only the first axle but also the rear axle is lined straight forward to increase the forward motion from all 4 wheel in the same direction.
I thought it could be worth mentioning. All the best from Sweden!
You guys are super knowledgeable with these awesome monsters of machine masterpiece. Thank you for the tips and info. I am becoming an even better operator than I already was because of these videos!!! 💯💯💪🏿💪🏿
Thanks for the video. Been running an old JD 544G for about 4 years. I learned by doing and often get frustrated. I've learned a few new trips and cant wait till my weekend is over to get back into it. I'm glad I don't have all that fancy stuff. I've talked to other operators that have the new machines and they actually envy me and my old dog. Lol
As a new operator finding the exact machine I was given to use helps
I grew up in a dump truck business with frontend loaders, escalators, and bull dozers but I like the wheel loader the best.
thats an amazing amount of training/info in 13 minutes, great vid thx!
Thanks! Happy Bryan was willing to come share! Make sure to go check out his channel, he has tons of great videos!
The loader you're in looks like a Caterpillar IT-28 or similar. I use to operate a IT-28 at the warrior run coal generated power plant during the building process.
I’m fixing to run my dads JD 624H loader, it’s a bit older, but nothing I’m not used too, got the same (or similar technically) 4 speed powershift trans like the 410 backhoes. But this I’ll keep in mind, cause I’ve never used it before.
But my dad has told me time and time again that it’s pretty scary when you’re turning and lifting at the same time, gets wobbly he said
Learned on a 1968 # International Hough with no brakes. Just learn to load up hill and use the bucket for a bake to stop. With the hough you sit on the front half, nice ride and every ting stays in front. When the hough broke down I bought a little L 50 michigan what a nightmare for a while sitting on the back. Whenever I turned it felt like I could tip over but after a couple of weeks I got it down. Got the hough fixed and now can jump on either machine no problem>
I turn them functions off that auto level got in the way I was filling the hoper on a paver with asphalt and i had to slowly drop and shake the bucket and that auto level kicked scared me a bit lol being in a big machine like that and a bucket of hot asphalt you don't want any mistakes. Good video 👍
One thing to mention about doing tight turns and loading trucks or equipment is there is no issue on smooth level ground... If some ground has bumps or uneveness have to be careful on boom height and weight. Drop into a divot, boom raised, tight turn, ample weight in bucket can send it on its side possibly
Good shit there budd. I have operated a Cat 2019 950M and what a machine,compare to other heavy machines like KCM,Kawasaki,Case and John Deere. None can match the out put of a CAT, The controlles are so easy to muster vs others.
Thanks for watching brother. Those 950m's are serious loaders. I really love how spacious the cab is but I hate the fact that those larger loaders are all twin stick.
The steering is actually much easier on a CAT with the stick. Its not like a Deere or an excavator where if you hold it out it keeps articulating until you hit the stop, it's more like you just point it where you want to go and it stays there. I think they call it Command Control steering with force feedback. Much more difficult to jerk the steering like you can with a wheel.
No 1 machine
I like the Kawasaki’s. Lots of power and pile pushing strength
@@motorcop555 I'd love to try one out
Thanks a lot Brian, going into my new quarry job with a lot more confidence👍🏾💯
Thanks for watching and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Congrats. I have yet to get a response back from a quarry, would love to work in a pit (dream job)
@@hekstoo5988 it is a coveted position and they are hard to grab when one is available
Semi new loader guy here. Third winter moving salt around, loading my plow truck with salt and sand.
Question, can I raise a loaded bucket up while doing a sharp turn safely? High enough to load a dump truck. I usually don’t start raising it up until my wheels are straight and I’m directly in line to load the dump truck. This obviously slows things down a bit.
Thanks!
Hi, Brian.
Good video and thanks for sharing. You are right about people thinking that front end loaders are 'easy'. But if you really want to challenge them, give them a front end loader with a 4-in-1 bucket and let 'em 'figger' out how to use it to its fullest potential.
Then, if you are feeling REALLY cruel, give them a track loader with a 4-in-1 bucket and rippers and send them to level a steep house site with split levels.
BUTTTT, send them to operate an earlier model machine with NONE of the fancy bells-n-whistles that you have demonstrated in this video. I think that would be a really good training ground.
We have a Cat 966C with NO bucket leveller and what is without a doubt the easiest steering that I have ever encountered on a wheel loader. You can gently 'throw' the steering wheel in whatever direction you want it to go, change direction, speed or both, and 'catch' the steering wheel just before where you want it to stop to ease it down.
On turning to load a truck, sometimes it is the hydraulics that will govern the distance that you might need to travel between the dig area and the truck. If you have good quick hydraulics, you can usually take full advantage of that turning radius. If the hydraulics are a little slow, it may help to travel just a little further to keep the revs up to help the hydraulics or maybe pause with the torque converter brake for the same reason.
Once again. thanks for sharing.
Just my 0.02.
You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
I like to confuse people on the big forklifts by turning the steering wheel all the way One direction and then click the steering control switch to another position then turn it all the way the other way then clicking it back.
When they get on the machine and start it up they can't turn the steering wheel at all in any direction! 😃😁😀
It's sort of like an anti-theft device.
They would have to know how to use that steering control switch.
The three positions being:
1. 4-wheel steering
2. 2-wheel steering
3. and crab steering
I just got a brand new CAT 980M this week and before it was delivered to me, another of our quarries had run it for about a week (I got it with 40 hours on it). Let me tell you that NOTHING was set correctly. All the kick-outs were way off, the implement positioning system for the hydraulic stops and scale weren't calibrated right, and the scale was nearly 2 tons off per truck! After 1 day during any breaks I had in loading trucks I had everything set perfectly. I can now drop the bucket and cut perfectly level like a dozer. When they delivered it, and you hit the return-to-dig, it would be dragging the heel plates and riding up the pile. It was so easy to fix, but you had to know how to level your bucket by eye and by feel, then push and hold 1 little button and it was all set! They couldn't figure that out in the 40 hours they had it? It took me 5 minutes. As for the hydraulic stops, this machine is supposed to have soft stop abilities so when you get close to the end of the travel limit, it slows the hydraulics a bit to gently come to a stop at the bump stops. However, try tr rack the bucket back and it doesn't go all the way back unless you let go then rack back a second time. Then as you're dumping if you just hold dump it SLAMS into the bottom stop. With the soft stop enabled you should be able to hold the direction and it should slow down about 1-2 inches from the full stop position then lightly bump the stop. Not slamming into but fully resting on the stop. No wonder I was made lead loader operator at this quarry in just over 10 months. (Ok, actually it was because the previous lead operator quit and I was the only loader left, but still lol.) If anyone has any questions about quarries, operating a loader, or specifically about CAT 980M or 982M loaders I'll be happy to help! And remember, always wear a seat belt in any machine, 1 click could save your life.
Yeah...important to learn your machine and set it correctly. My guess is that 40hrs was prob a break in period with a few different operators? Like that slow stop...much less jumpy!
It never ceases to amaze me the number of longtime, experienced operators who don't take the time to go through the machine to change parameters and set the machine up the correct way. I also see a lot of guys that it never occurs to them to change machine parameters for different digging conditions. Good operators know all the little things about their machines and how to tweak them for max performance. Thanks for the comment Wraith!
It's the same for all the machines always 2000 out if a driver wants 95 thousand I put 98 it is what it is Volvo jd cat
How do you know when the bucket is flat manually?
@@jlew6985 you can usually tell by how it cuts the ground when close to level. If it's cutting too deep it needs to be rolled back a little, and too shallow it won't cut anything but it will just float along the ground. You can also guess and check by getting out and looking at the cutting edge, but most experienced operators can just "feel" if the bucket isn't level while scooping.
Once you find that spot where the bucket is close to level, you can choose a reference point that you can use to bring it back to level each time you curl or dump the bucket.
Some good tips and sound advise. Thanks much. I just purchased my first wheel loader and your advise will be well applied.
I just hop on this video and I dont know how to drive a front end loader. But it gives me knowledge how to drive it though i need to do it hands-on. I like the way he said do not depend on the auto control as every machine has different settings and learn to do it manually and it will serve you much better which is very truem i am a forklift driver and i want to ask if the control is a bit similar.
Thank you.
Thank you… a lot. I didn’t know I was making some of these mistakes
I use to not like running a loader they intimidated me but I've been running one a lot for work and I'm slowing following in loving with the thing
I used to feel that way about backhoes, kept getting put in them and finally figured them out. now they're my favorite machine for doing civil and roadwork. 4 in 1 all day
Perfect crash course in how to operate a loader! Now, time to go get my tundra out of the mud! This is a last resort. Glad the highway department was working near by! They won’t mind!
Brian! Great to see you on HML. Your explanations are always so clear.
Just started a few days ago. Thanks for these videos.
I recently retired from the operating engineers and ran mostly loaders for over 20 years.
I ran all kinds of loaders up to about a 1050s with one other bigger loader that had joystick controls.
I love the 2-4 transmission setting and usually run in auto shift.
And I always tried to leave the clutch lockout turned off. I hate the way it jerks when I touch the brake pedal.
It was always weird trying to use both pedals at the same time to keep the RPM's up while trying to control the travel speed with the brake pedal.
Another main thing I didn't like about some of those was the z bar linkage on the loaders. You can set the bucket level on the ground and as your bucket goes up it curls up a little bit and then it starts dumping about 2/3 of the way up.
My extreme preference is for parallel linkage to maintain the same bucket level all the way up and down which is a future on what they call tool carrier machines which is a standard feature on the big forklift, except they use hydraulic parallel linkage, it's not the mechanical parallel linkage that is found on smaller tractors and some farm tractors particularly for using forklifts and hay spears.
I agree with practically everything you said.
I also prefer buckets that have a heel instead of a rounded back, they are better for grading, like using a grading box in reverse.
After so many years I ended up getting trigger finger on several fingers by grabbing knobs and levers a lot.
I also liked running mini excavators. I never cared for the big ones.
Also hated running scrapers and compactors.
Just glad to be retired now. 😉😃
The loader was my nemesis last winter lol
Good tips, man.
articulate and well delivered tutorial💯
Really good advice mate good work ..yes loading dumpers any size is all about angles lessens travel time saves diesel and really bumps up the tally of loads daily it's called the V
I learned how to operate a loader with farming simulator. I hooked up a steering wheel and a stick and went for it just because I was curious from watching heavy machines as a kid. Then I had the chance to operate a loader at work. They asked me if I can operate it and I said yes. 😂 Luckily the skill transformed well and I never ran into something of what you said cuz I knew by eye whats cool and what not. Learning how to level your bucket by eye is really essential. Oh and always use your brain.
What a great tutorial!
I’ve always wondered, what camera and mic setup do you use? Great angles and audio!
Great video and very informative 👍🏻👍🏻
Here goes one. When going into a pile with the rear end out of line pay attention to what your rear and front wheels are on if using the lockers. I've seen people totally forget they are on asphalt or have rear tires that are still on asphalt. Locked axels and turning equals bad times.
That description alone was good for a shudder
Greta tips. We have a John Deere 544L loader at our plant (concrete and mortar plant) and I hate when they leave the loader on Drive 4th gear 😑... I plan on watching all your videos even though we only have 1 loader and nothing else, but I'm gonna get a head start for when I branch out to hopefully become a heavy equipment operator 🤘🏼
Thanks for watching and feel free to reach out if you've got questions!
you're an excellent instructor
I run a deere 544kk-|| an a t 550 bobcat skid steer everyday. I run both. In the loader while watching this vid lol. An the jerking is funny watching guys do that lol. An I down shift to first when I move dirt. Great tips man.
I appreciate that! Watching guys learn the loader always cracks me up a little because so many people think it's an easy machine.
@@DieselandIron it is easy if you have some experience but a totally green person it's gonna kick their ass the first few times. It's the jerking or you'll hear them hit the bucket stops or slam it on the ground ect.. lol.
Thanks for the comment! Definitely go check out Bryan’s channel...tons of great content!
Why not have it in auto instead of dropping down?
I take my time. Good points. Here is one. If you have down time. READ the manuals !!
Something that has helped me is not grounding the bucket going into a pile. Grounding the bucket is for grading.
Cutting into a pile with the bucket grounded and struggling to move is slow..
Lifting that bucket when you cut into a pile improves efficiency
Very good video very detailed about the most important shit in the loader
When you become quite experienced, you'll realize when you do and don't have to step down on the bucket when you back drag.
When you are leveling on an even plain field I agree, don't raise those tires.
When you are leveling onto a uneven plain field where there's bumps, step down on the bucket. Be careful though, watch what you're doing because you can make a bigger mess.
I'd arguably say that an excavator is a step up to the loader. As the guy said; the controls are easy, easy to drive but what you do with it, the quality, how you do it, how you manipulate it is what makes you a good operator.
PS: Recycling yard manager/operator
I'm heavy machinery's teacher nice video bro I sent you my greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴
4:20 digging into a pile with a non-straightened machine increases tyre wear.
Nice job man thanks for the education
It just takes time ,esp to grade with a loader ,but once u got it u get better and better ,and I love running a loader and loading trucks or whatever
Thanks Brian 😊
Thank you! I appreciate the support!
New driver, I admittedly use most of the aforementioned functions.
Auto raise because I'm feeding trommels, hoppers or moxy's so it's always going up the whole way, though being a triple stick machine one fingers always on the stick to cancel any auto function and it's a much more positive lock/detent than the joystick.
Use auto level a lot since my transmission toggles on the right of the triple stick cluster and with how close my hopper & discharge are my fingers just aren't long enough to operate 3 sticks & transmission simultaneously to get the bucket in position in what's lucky to be 5 metres.
It's easier to just smack it into reverse, Auto level and close my highlift as I come out that way I've only got to hit forward & manually lower my boom which is easy as they're next to each other not on opposite ends of the cluster.
Admittedly it's a very triple stick problem, the joystick machine mas more functions on one stick and everything is manual
Some decent info. Been a loaderhand for 10 years. Agree that everyone thinks they can run a loader until it’s time to do loader stuff. Don’t believe me, see how many pipe crew loaderhands get laid off.
Increíble canal, Muchos saludos desde Ecuador.
🇪🇨 🇪🇨 🇪🇨
I use the auto level but I also self adjust if it doesn't look right or of the loader even has it. Only 2 loaders I've ran had it and both were kumastu, a decade a being a loader operator insured with everything he says because I operate very similar. There was one time they wouldn't get a new blade and it was so rounded off because we deal with a lot of aggregate so it's rounded from and back so I got mad trying to back drag a hum eventually just put all the pressure down to where the front wheels came us and to that hum straight down to the linstone lol. It's mostly limestone where I live in Texas.
ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದೆ ಸರ್ ಅದ್ಬುತ ❤️
We have front End loading at the Bulk sites at Longshore...Great 5 Hour Gig
Great training video for sure. But the one thing that no new operator is Ever Told is how to lift the bucket as you're going into a heavy pile to prevent digging, they all dig and they can't figure out how to stop it I would love to see your training video on that.
I start my training January 👍🏻🏴
John deere loaders have a setting to make them start in 1st gear all the time. I always start in first because I do alot of root raking and need the torque pretty much all the time
nice demonstration
I am operating a big jcb front end loader which is always in second gear in piles cause this piece of junk is so light it will always lift its rear end off the ground. In its defense I operate with a high lift boom and a high tip 6cbm bucket
That setup will do that. The high lift is nice for getting into trucks but it is a pain when it comes to balance especially when you put a pretty good-sized bucket on the machine
Looks so easy to operate Brian.
Thanks
Thanks so much!! Great video
100% Bang On !!!!
So many dont get it !!!!
learned a lot. Thanks!
Very helpful- thanks
Safety first always! 👍🏼
Back dragging is really hard on Volvos. it's gauranteed to start cracks in the lower hitch of the front frame.
Thanks for the insight.
Thanks for watching Mike!
That part about not having to back up to get square. I find when I try that going into mulch, the bucket stays where I want but the machine like, power slides away. Naturally, that'll Goin into fill or top too. I'm in ming 10 hrs a day so I get to try all sorts of methods.
Thanks for very nice video 👍👍
Thanks for watching
My all time dreams hoping very soon they gonnar turn on to what I have been minding
Good luck...thanks for the comment!
Brilliant video thank u 😍😀😀😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you
Thx for tips!
Personally I never really use 1st gear because my area is all sand so we just get fill from the hill side and everything is soft so even 2nd gear you can still easily spin and sink
Maneuvering around with a loaded bucket. Do and don'ts having bucket to high can be dangerous. That could've Been a good topic
Will you guys make any more videos?
Thanks for the refresher. Tomorrow or Wednesday I have a loader test for a new job in composting, and I don't have much experience. I'm not going to show off, just hoping not to make a complete ass of myself.
How'd it go?
@@mrjohnconnory Got the job! Been turning compost for 6 weeks!
I learned how to drive a loader last week, they told me to figure it out, so I’ve trained my self lol.
Thats how I learned to run a backhoe, boss said go "play" with it for a day.
Very well it's fine
I learned on a 924k too with the same bucket, ran that for a few months and got used to using the flat top of it as my gauge for what is level. Next machine was an older John Deere 544J with a different style of bucket where the top just kept at a 45 degree angle or so and had no flat top like the Cat bucket so I couldn't tell what level was. Took me a good month or so to rely on the literal _feel_ of the machine before I started to get things pretty level while pushing forward. Eventually it just became like second nature, no technology required.
Thanks. Super informative...awesome
Thanks, I been trying to find videos explaining the Instrument Panels on CAT Wheel Loaders but there are none I found on any Series WL.
Do you have any vids like this ?
Hey , I’m learning on a 966H Loader do you back blade all materials the same ? ie : sand - A gravel
5:00 it's all cool, but when you have a heavy load in a bucket, long arm and irregular terrain, you may flip the machine if it's not straight. The thing is even worse when you have custom bucket which is bigger, so you can overload it
Greeting from Poland tho. :D
Thank you your the man
Thanks for this learson
very nice job
Thanks Mike! Hope things are good in Indiana!
Thanks Mike!
I'm subbed to all 3 of you guys...this is awkward.
You have good taste! Thx man
Thank you sir!
shut off all auto controls until you know your machine. I have been asked a few times if I want the bucket level fixed, I always say nope, I tweak it anyway. Downshift to 1st before touching the pile, it saves missing shift and charging a pile. Higher gears while pushing is hard on the transmission. The transmission is worth more than the cost of the motor. I've seen someone ( the owner) forget to downshift, dig a test hole in 3rd gear, and trash a transmission. 1st gear will not harm the transmission. A loader works better if you drive in a V or curve when changing direction or forward/ reverse. I operate a 2006 Cat 930G. We have a 2020 930G, i do not like it. We make/sell gravel and concrete. Also do snow removal in central Canada.
34 years old with 11yrs of operating exp at a mine. Im here to tell u if ur new. eventually it all clicks at this point the machine is an extension of myself. i agree heavily that the auto level/auto dig/and return to dig features will do nothing but hinder you as you learn.