OK, don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I just recieved my model 988 loader. And I did see the flaw in the ad. But I bought it anyway, because I just had to have an early 988 Model. But what's perplexing is that as much thought as was given to this highly detailed model, they put the ladder on the wrong side. The way they applied the ladder you'd have to climb around/over the control levers to get into the cab. Also, they left the other side of the hand rail open to fall through. I've run many 988's and I never saw one of them with the ladder on the control lever side of the machine. Wouldn't you think that someone would have caught that on the pre-production model or early in production?

ACMOC had a difficult learning experience a couple of years ago on a model it was involved in. So we know it is easy to make mistakes on models. Don't know anything about this manufacturer or its reputation. We have had some good models recently - like the D9D. And you see that the D9E is coming out. Then the 491 scraper. By the way, the reduced price for the D9E models runs to November 1st, so if you plan on buying one, you'd better get your order in. GWH

RCH101,your're right about the steps being on the wrong side, I'm wondering about the cab.I spent alot of time on those old 988's,and the one we had was from 1967 or 68. It had a fiberglass cab not a steel one.The cab on this machine didn't come out till the early 70's.We had 2 of these machines, I would have rather ran the older machine myself. It had more power. The only problem I found with the older one was the hyd.oil cooler was right next to the seat and on a warm summer day it got awful warm in the cab. Mike Durkin

Am I rong
But didn't the early 988 loader have walk thru with doors each side
n May B a ladder each side
Q: Wot side of the beast should the ladder B on??

cya
§wishy

I also bought the model and it is very nice.

I don't know if this helps but, there is a photo of an open cab 988 In the book "Caterpillar Century". On page 200 and 221, in the book , it shows a ladder on the right hand side of the machine like the model. There is also a photo of the left hand side of a 988 with a cab in the book "Caterpillar" that shows no ladder like the model. I would assume the ladder is on the right on that machine also.

Perhaps they made them in different configurations?

Sorry. The above post should say page 220 and 221, not page 200 and 221.

After I made my first comment about this model it got me thinking. I went out and checked one of the last 988's we have and yes the ladder is on the right side and you do have to climb over the controls.It does also have walk through doors.