Santa Margarita - pre-loaded

Hi, Walt D73t.
With a crawler tractor and scraper combo, the loading is pretty much equally shared and the gears used will depend on loading conditions, the size of the scraper relative to the tractors and the tractors themselves. F'rinstance, if you have a 17A D7 pushing a 9U D6 and Cat 60 scraper, it is possible that you would load in 2nd gear with both tractors.

With a wheeled self-propelled scraper, the scraper operator would normally let the pusher do most of the work and only have enough revs on the scraper engine to give sufficient power for the CCU or hydraulics to control the scraper. Tire spinning on a self-propelled scraper while loading ist VERBOTEN.

In BOTH cases, the scraper operator needs to be on the ball controlling the cut to achieve the best efficiency. There is a sorta delicate balance between lessening the cut to avoid changing down and having to change down to enable a deeper cut to load quicker. This applies mostly to direct drive pushers 'cos a powershift pusher can downshift pretty easily and seamlessly on the run.

Just my 0.02

Thanks Deas,

NOW I am an expert???????😄😄😄😄

However, in all seriousness, I look forward to really learning.:biggrin1:

[quote="Walt D7-3T"]Thanks Deas,

NOW I am an expert???????😄😄😄😄

However, in all seriousness, I look forward to really learning.:biggrin1:[/quote]

Walt, if you get the chance to run a push tractor here's a few tips for you.

Get on the biggest push cat available, preferably a D9 with a straight blade, the push cushions take the "feel" out of it for scraper operators. Scraper operators tend to get sleepy between loads from boredom I guess and like to be alerted by a second gear (third if direct drive) bump upon hookup. Not much, just enough to move 'em 10 feet or so until they can get it in gear and get their focus straight ahead. It helps them become one with the machine and speeds up production. Clears the fog if you will. I've been told that it helps to get the buggy in gear, kinda like double clutching.

You'll make all kinds of new friends with this helpful tidbit and they'll be showing you that you're number one all day long. Good luck with it and remember that advice is free, but you'll be the star of the show and long remembered.

😄 😉.....

Hey D9gdon,

Your advise sounds similar to Jan's on another thread. I like your approach... It's important to train the beginners right, like we used to do with apprentices. They got told they were number 1 a lot too... Roflmao

Hi, D9gdon and Glen.
Is this approach the 'adult' version of 'Spare the rod and spoil the child'?????????

Wunn wunderz.

I forgot to say, right before you get them loaded and the bowl is nearly overflowing go ahead and throw it in reverse and get back to push another. Your work is done and the momentum from your push will be a nice send off from the 1' gouge down below the cutting edge. Gives 'em time to get that apron down and flow test the lift cylinder hydraulics. The tractor tires need a little warm up like the dragsters or they'll bounce. They didn't put that steering column there for nothing.

Good luck with it.

Hey Walt,

I searched for a short video that gets right to the point on how to push with a Cat. Enjoy and learn.
Glen

http://youtu.be/V3GJycgu-cs

Hey Walt,

I searched for a short video that gets right to the point on how to push with a Cat. Enjoy and learn.
Glen

http://youtu.be/V3GJycgu-cs