A free Cat 955L track loader, ran when parked !

[c-series don 8,690]

Recently I was offered this Cat 955L for free! It belonged to my father in law who passed almost three years ago, from a sudden massive heart attack. I remember operating this machine for him close to thirty years ago. It’s been sitting since his passing.He was semi retired from the excavation business and just used it on his wife’s horse rescue farm, to do things that you do on a horse farm with a bulldozer…..Anyway his wife contacted me and asked me if I wanted it, and at first I was like heck yeah! I have the means to move it and a place to store it so why not? Then I started thinking 🤔 how much money am I going to put into this thing? Because I know it’s going to need batteries and a muffler and that could be just the beginning. I know I’d want to paint it because that’s the way I am.Then what? It sits on my buddies farm where I’m probably not going to use it but once or twice a year? Yes I could fix it up and sell it but honestly I have enough to do without this project. I also have access all kinds of heavy equipment if necessary. 
 So I started thinking (again!) who would want this machine, that would bring it back to life and take care of it? And then BINGO ! The Long Island Antique Power Association! Last year I gave them my antique road grader and they loved it. I contacted the president of the organization and right away he said “Heck yeah, we’d be happy to add it to our collection!” They have guy’s that will be all asses and elbows into it to get it running and move it to their property. They (I🙂) will use it during demonstrations at their shows 3-4 times a year just pushing dirt around. We have not nailed down a date yet to get it moved but I’m sure with new batteries and fresh fuel it will come to life. As you can see the track adjuster on the left side is not working properly so maybe they just pump it up for the demonstrations? Or maybe they fix it ? I don’t know. 
 I feel like I’m doing the right thing by giving it to the association and my father in law will be looking down and be happy! Pictures will be posted when we bring it back life and move it. Thanks for reading. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,547]

[WHX?? 48,815]

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

how much money am I going to put into this thing?

Money pit fer sure. Track roller frames & pins turned... who knows? 

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

They have guy’s that will be all asses and elbows into it to get it running and move it to their property. They (I🙂) will use it

Odd ...clubs around here would push it back to their many piles of projects... you know Don too many chiefs and not enough Indians. 

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

feel like I’m doing the right thing by giving it to the association

ABSOLUTELY you are doing the right thing. The even better thing, if/when they get it running spring for signage with the history... just sayin. 

Edited July 14, 2023 by WHX??

[c-series don 8,690]

@WHX?? Good idea with the signage! I just might do that! 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Respectable way to keep FIL alive Don ... even if they just use it as a static display. 

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

I remember these 955's on construction projects i would work on as a young man.......    Then the rear engine track loaders took over

[WHX?? 48,815]

11 minutes ago, Wheel-N-It said:

   Then the rear engine track loaders took over

Not familiar with them Van? 

[c-series don 8,690]

@Wheel-N-It Yes that is an L series, the last of the front engine track loaders. Then came the rear engine 943,53,63 and 73 machines. Around here you rarely see them anymore, the excavator and skid steer have taken its place. That machine is odd for Long Island because it doesn’t have a 4-in-1 bucket. Today I was on this machine.

Edited July 14, 2023 by c-series don

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

13 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Not familiar with them Van? 

 

See the above pic Jim. These rear engine loaders are fun to operate. 

I'd rather drive one of them than to eat !!! 

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

13 minutes ago, c-series don said:

@Wheel-N-It Yes this is an L series, the last of the front engine track loaders. Then came the rear engine 943,53,63 and 73 machines. Around here you rarely see them anymore, the excavator and skid steer have taken its place. This machine is odd for Long Island because it doesn’t have a 4-in-1 bucket. Today I was on this machine.

 

 

Today was a good day for you !!!  It is amazing what an excavator and skid steer can do working as a team. More especially with the skid steers being manufactured now. Some of them are really powerful and fast.  I downsized from a Bobcat 863 to a 773 for my needs around home. The 863 was a big boy back in 1998 when new, but these new machines are stronger and run circles around it now. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Lol ... please tell me Don my dog does not mind all the rumblings and shaking! 

Short story... when I went to the Navy recruiter at ripe old age of 17 I mentioned to him I was working for an excavator running heavy. He said I should sign up to be a SeaBee... no thanks I said those guys get shot at... what about submarines??? 

[c-series don 8,690]

@WHX?? In fact she fell asleep today on the machine! Similar story, in high school I wanted to go in the army and join the operating engineers but my guidance counselor said no! You could get killed! This was at the beginning of the war in Kuwait. I still kinda regret listening to him. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

14 minutes ago, Wheel-N-It said:

 

See the above pic Jim. These rear engine loaders are fun to operate. 

I'd rather drive one of them than to eat !!! 

Way before my time Van. Best we could muster is late 70s early 80s JDs. POS with turning clutches shot or out of adjustment. I learned to wrestle! 

Sorry Don didn't mean to get nostalgic on ya. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

4 minutes ago, c-series don said:

@WHX??  I still kinda regret listening to him. 

Here too when I see what a operating engineer makes these days and how rare they are to find. Even with the unions they they have and such. 

I would whole heartily agree with the road grader comments on making the pavement strait before the paver.

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,455]

9 hours ago, c-series don said:

used it on his wife’s horse rescue farm, to do things that you do on a horse farm with a bulldozer…..

🤔. 

That splains it.  😂.  

 

 

 

Excellent deal all around Don!!

 

 

[squonk 41,079]

Kids up in here! 

 

I remember being around some old steam machines and oil puffers . Some old tymey equipment you see at the steam shows but actually workin for a livin. 

 

I bet the Antique Power Club will be all over that like flies on stink. I know my Steam Club guys would. It would make a great addition to the "sandbox"