Got the Cat home today

sweettractors · Nov 9, 2004

We bought the Cat D3B over the wekend and got it home today. Only 1 hour of operating time today. So far, so good. I have a pond to clean out right away and I guess it is going to get muddy. pretty quick.--Ken Sweet

Bird · Nov 9, 2004

I don't know much about those machines, but that one looks pretty good, Ken.

sweettractors · Nov 9, 2004

Thanks Bird, I got about 2 hours operating time on it this afternoon and I am pleased with the performance, so far? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif--Ken Sweet

ScottAR · Nov 9, 2004

Apex pads, good choice for pond work. That one have wet clutches? The early ones were dry. If dry, monitor the amount of moisture buildup in the clutch compartments lest they begin sticking.

Dargo · Nov 10, 2004

How does that compare to the Cat 955? Several years ago I had a 955 when I was building my pond. I think it was around 90hp. I had the "swamp" tracks on it that were really wide, and it worked great. I used it for 2 years, kept up with all of the maintenance of it, and then sold it for a slight profit. Sometimes I wish I still had it around. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I used that 955 and a JD 650 excavator to dig a 1 1/4 acre pond that is 20' deep. Oh yeah, I also had two tandem axle dump trucks too. I guess I was fortunate from what I hear. I completed my entire project in two years and basically broke even on all of the equipment overall by the time I sold each piece. Good luck with yours. You should love it!

sweettractors · Nov 10, 2004

That one have wet clutches?

Yes, wet clutches. I had a chance to dig our a couple 3-4 ft diameter oak stumps today and now I am really glad I took the advice of the TBN guys "Buy a little bigger than you think you may need" I believe it will easily do the farm chores fine and also we do have a employee that may operate it some commercially for neighbors.-- Ken Sweet

sweettractors · Nov 10, 2004

How does that compare to the Cat 955? 

I really dont know about the 955 series? I am running HP in the mid sixties and around 16000 Lbs. Our company plan is to start selling good used small dozers, excavators, bobcat/skidsteers, ditchwitches, etc in the coming year. We feel there is a need for those in our community.--Ken Sweet

ScottAR · Nov 12, 2004

955 is 110-120 hp crawler loader... 2yd if I remember...

Tigerotor77W · Nov 13, 2004

955C: 70 hp; 21, 145 lbs; 1.5 cubic yards (integral loader)
955E: 70 hp; 22,400 lbs; 1.5 cubic yards (improved undercarriage)
955H: 100 hp; 24,950 lbs; 1.75 cubic yards (power shift, turbo, oil-cooled brakes)
955K: 115 hp; 28,000 lbs; 1.75 cubic yards (horsepower and bucket capacity increase)
955L: 130 hp; 33,800 lbs; 2.0 cubic yards (ROPS cab, SALT)
955L: 130 hp; 34,950 lbs; 2.25 cubic yards

SALT = sealed and lubricated track.

sweettractors · Nov 13, 2004

Thanks for the specs. There are some big fellows in that group!---Ken Sweet

Dargo · Nov 14, 2004

Well, BobcatS250's post makes me feel better about my memory. I do remember that my 955 did weigh about 25K, because I have a written reminder somewhere from going across some scales on the highway once with the wrong weight plates on my trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Therefore, I wasn't that far off when I was guessing that it had around 90hp. Heck, by the time I finished with mine, it likely had dropped from 100hp to 90hp. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Now is one of those times I wish I still had that thing. I knew I'd miss it! The odd thing is, that I sold it to an OB-GYN Dr. I guess it's not that odd, just sounds that way for a guy like him on a dozer.

Tigerotor77W · Nov 14, 2004

Sure. (to sweettractor's post)

Yeah, I was surprised... usually Cat doesn't throw a lot more power or bucket capacity in the same frame with the same model number. Oh well.

sweettractors · Nov 14, 2004

I guess it's not that odd, just sounds that way for a guy like him on a dozer. 

I have found that operating a dozer is very relaxing, almost theraputic for relieving stress. Maybe the Dr. had something like that in mind when he purchased yours. --Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Wildlife Foodplot Development Tools and Supplies*

ScottAR · Nov 14, 2004

I disagree, they've been doing that very thing for years. Besides, the early 955s were based on D4 chassis. Later models were on the D6 chassis.

The D6 is another model that's grown nearly 3 times in size and output. The "D6" in D6 originally meant "Diesel, 60hp." The current D6R puts out 165hp.

Tigerotor77W · Nov 15, 2004

This is a good point. More recently, however, horsepower increases haven't been too grandiose. (953B to 953C, 446 to 446D, 262 to 262B, 970F to 972G II, etc)

Gary_in_Indiana · Nov 16, 2004

"operating a dozer is very relaxing, almost theraputic for relieving stress" 

Yeah... there's nothing quite like taking something you control through and over something that had been around for years. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

sweettractors · Nov 16, 2004

I have a spring on the farm that did supply water to the home stead before we got city water thru here about 35 years ago. Over time, dirt fell in around it and no water came to the top. I spent 2 hours this afternoon with the dozer and I have got the water going again. I will now, form a small holding pool with a spillway that will guide the water back underground. I feel good about fixing things back the way they used to be /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Supplies for Wildlife Foodplots*