Hi From Bri

[Bri963]

I’ve been on here and the other forum a good few years now but have never done a proper introduction. I started off working on the land after doing an agricultural engineering course at Caythorpe, Lincs. Moved into construction, mainly as an operator but with some spannering and welding thrown in. Spent two and a half years as an aid worker with a Christian organisation (lowest paid but most rewarding work i’ve ever had), then ended up working for Cat in Peterborough. Been a lot more bits and pieces but I don’t want to get boring. The last few years.I’ve been in R & D spannering and testing their machines. Can’t say too much about that side of things for obvious reasons, other than that I get to work on most of the common machines, plus some you don’t see so often over here, like the compact tracked loaders. The picture is a not-so-compact tracked loader I was testing 12 years ago.

 

[Bri963]

If you look at the nearest roller door there’s a patch on it where a colleague misjudged the speed the door rolled up and the length of the crane beam on his forklift. Also note the massive industrial pressure washer on the left of the picture. No expense spared at Cat.

 

[TiltyShaun]

Hello and welcome!!

 

[Bri963]

Thanks Shaun, but I’ve been on here from the start and the old forum for about 10 years. Just decided to do a proper intro.

 

[Mintsauce]

Nice to see you Bri I've liked your humorous comments over the years.

 

[Mintsauce]

Nice shovel. Not hi drive on these?

 

[Regy53]

Hi Bri

 

[Bri963]

Nice shovel. Not hi drive on these?

It’s a pre-production 963D. With waste handling bucket. If I was doing land clearance again, that’s the weapon I’d want pinned on the front. Doesn’t detract from visibility or capacity, as it was way overpowered for the normal 4 in 1. It seemed to have more power than the production D’s. they’d moved from servo hydraulics to electro hydraulics and some of the early machines were a bit lumpy on the implement control and steering.

The little CTL’s are high drive. I’ve got one needing a new track tensioner as the original has fallen apart inside the frame and released the recoil spring.

You won’t see the 53’s 63’s and 73’s going high drive. It would be a massive redesign due to the layout of the pumps and hystat motors. Before Cat, when I was on general hire, you didn’t see a major road build without a 943, 953, or 963, I was on one job where we had the full set working. 943 was pick of the bunch for grading, 963 for loading. I normally had the 963 for trimming capping and type 1.

 

[Bri963]

Hi Bri

Hi Ross - I still have haven’t got the slew ring on the Kub, been too busy with everything else. I’ll have it done before I retire.