Our 955L

[denick]

This is our 1972 955L. Still working regularly.

[martyn williams]

Nice machine Nick

[denick]

Some of the Track Loaders we have owned. I don't know if I'll get them in order but here goes. A 955A, probably around 1960 it had a gas pony motor, hand clutch, and pedal and lever steer. A 941B I bought new in 1976. A 955K about a 1968, I bought used in 1988 which I still have but the motor needs work. A 955L I bought new in 1978.

[JimInOz]

Hi Nick,
Thanks for the pics.I love the 955s...my favourite CAT!
I'm just wondering about the economics of running a Crawler Loader these days.....do you run them just coz they are an all-rounder & you can't get by with,say,an excavator or loader only?
Is it their all round flexibility that makes them worth persisting with?

If I was King,we'd all be operating Traxcavators....but I'd send us broke,I imagine.

Jim

[denick]

Hi Jim,

We do use the tracked loader on a limited basis because as you said they are expensive to operate. They suck down fuel and undercarriages wear quick and are expensive.

That said they are a tool and on some jobs they are very useful and productive. In my opinion worth keeping. I do shudder when I see the cost of a new one. It's hard for me to imagine the volume of work that's needed to pay for it.


Nick

[JimInOz]

Thanks Nick,
I ran a 953 about 10 years ago,which was part of a small fleet of 953s....I could never work out how the boss made money from them.The amount of fuel alone was a killer,plus there was always a bad engine,undercarriage or pumps on one of the machines.
Track Loaders are a great tool...it's a shame that a new generation of operators be able won't get on them.

Jim

[Hammer man]

Heres a Cat 955L in need of some help where i`m working:( .Dont know any details about it,apart from it apart from it being parked here then kids started to vandelise it.Looks to be in solid condition & complete.Just needs rescuing

06052009078.jpg

[Nick Drew]

Breaks my heart to see old gils like that just left to rot !!

They were great old tools in their day ...used to love the sound of them !!

Nick

[go back]

i am sure in are yard there is a 955 that is in primer hideing in one of the sheds i will try and get some photos

[martyn williams]

I love tracked loaders,my 933 sounds great when worked hard,with its slight turbo whistle.I have 5 tracked loaders.If my drive was a bit wider I would buy my mates 955k.
Martyn
click on pictures to enlarge