I spent many hours driving those old gems. We used to call them "Rock Wagons" They were built like a battleship and very reliable. They never had an AC but they were powerful. When you'd lay down the power the fan sounded like a jet engine spooling up. We used to haul iron Orr concentrate. Our company had seven of them. We even had one that had A fibreglass cab. Nice seeing these old rigs again. Here's a photo of one I operated. Thanks for posting. flic.kr/p/PQByCy
watching this video is bittersweet for me 15 yrs ago a friend of mine died driving one of these because the company did not maintain it properly and the brakes let go when he backed up to dump over a cliff .
Glad you're back and this is a good find. I remember the cab style from years back but it was probably the smaller size. The haul trucks haven't changed much since then looks like. A Cat is a Cat is a Cat. The old 631's had a 3 speed too. Guess they liked that number. I know the 71's have a 6 and the 73's have a 7 but they're electric shift. GOOD find!
Don't worry about that. I have tons of videos ready to go, I just like to space out my upload time because I don't get the chance to film as much as I used to.
They really just had three real speeds in the trans. There was a big valve body mounted to the side of the tourqe converter that changed he stall making it seemed like it had another gear. when it got dirty they wouldn't stay revved up and would roll black smoke untill you cleaned it out.
That's a late model with steel cab a lot were fiberglass. They would burn you down in the summer tie the right door to the oil fill cap for a little extra air. Drove them a bunch when I was a kid. Sure would hate to do it now. I would sure like to make a bunch of the "drivers" they got now pull about a year in one of these.
Actually it's rather easy to start these old Cats. This is back in the days before these trucks had removable keys. To start this truck, the master switch needs to be thrown followed by tuning the ignition switch, shown in the video.
My back doesn't miss driving one of these at all.
would love to hear some of these older machines start up.
I spent many hours driving those old gems. We used to call them "Rock Wagons" They were built like a battleship and very reliable. They never had an AC but they were powerful. When you'd lay down the power the fan sounded like a jet engine spooling up. We used to haul iron Orr concentrate. Our company had seven of them. We even had one that had A fibreglass cab. Nice seeing these old rigs again. Here's a photo of one I operated. Thanks for posting. flic.kr/p/PQByCy
Very cool; thanks for that! Cat entered the haul truck market late (when compared to say Euclid), but their trucks took the market very fast.
This and the 769B are in my opinion the most beautiful designed CAT trucks ever! Thank you for that video! You're living in a dreamland :-))
They are cool looking trucks and their design was so futuristic for its time. Thanks!
Yes, futuristic and graceful!
I hated running thoses pieces of shit. Brake fade and shocks all ways leaking nitrogen
watching this video is bittersweet for me 15 yrs ago a friend of mine died driving one of these because the company did not maintain it properly and the brakes let go when he backed up to dump over a cliff .
ㅑㅑㅑㄹ
Glad you're back and this is a good find. I remember the cab style from years back but it was probably the smaller size. The haul trucks haven't changed much since then looks like. A Cat is a Cat is a Cat. The old 631's had a 3 speed too. Guess they liked that number. I know the 71's have a 6 and the 73's have a 7 but they're electric shift. GOOD find!
Beautiful machine.
Love your videos, thanks for sharing.
Your welcome, thanks for viewing!
Looks in good shape for the age,Nice truck
That was really good thanks for the awesome work....
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Coal company I worked for in Clearfield county, Pa. Had a fleet of 773's
man she's a beeutee justin great to see a new vid from ya pard!! love that Ole girl!!
Haha, yes she is, thanks!
would love to restore it...
i get worried when you dont post videos for while, this was a nice surprise.
Don't worry about that. I have tons of videos ready to go, I just like to space out my upload time because I don't get the chance to film as much as I used to.
Great video!!
Thanks!
The og mighty Tonka....mine from the 80s looks the part...rusty but runs great lol
Great machine and video! :)
8:45 - Could you please explain why one would need/want "float" on the dump body?
what a beauty
Thank you!
Your welcome!
Grew up watching tons of these in the late 70s / early 80s. Building I-480 and many other road projects in Ohio
Good video
Awesome!
Another great video Justin...is the old girl retired or is there still some life left in it?
No, she's a backup truck in case a newer unit breaks down. Thanks
Is it still in use? Those front tires look nearly new, be a waste if they're just sitting there dry rotting.
Yes it is. It's a backup truck
The shocks look almost the same as the newer ones. Bet it's a beast to drive! I like beasts!
every time a nice documentary !!! thank you PA Mining :-) :-) :-)
marco polo 2nd that, Marco.
Your very welcome! Thank you
What does that original caterpillar decal represent?
The logo doesn't represent anything. It's just the letter "C" with the machine model number beneath it.
It is a C, with a sideways T inside, Caterpillar Tractor Company
Imagine driving 40 mph, that’s crazy lol.
Great video. You didn't explain how you get 9 speeds threw the 3 gears. Is there a switch for the 3 different ranges?
Its a 3 range trans with 3 power shifts in each range. He said it right in the video.
They really just had three real speeds in the trans. There was a big valve body mounted to the side of the tourqe converter that changed he stall making it seemed like it had another gear. when it got dirty they wouldn't stay revved up and would roll black smoke untill you cleaned it out.
That's a late model with steel cab a lot were fiberglass. They would burn you down in the summer tie the right door to the oil fill cap for a little extra air. Drove them a bunch when I was a kid. Sure would hate to do it now. I would sure like to make a bunch of the "drivers" they got now pull about a year in one of these.
there is a few on mc nightmere rd pgh pa
600HP!
Crystal Clear alright haha
Neat, too bad you can't start them.
Actually it's rather easy to start these old Cats. This is back in the days before these trucks had removable keys. To start this truck, the master switch needs to be thrown followed by tuning the ignition switch, shown in the video.
PAmining I meant because they've been sitting. I figured at the very least the batteries were dead