Cat 955l vs cat 953b question please

I,am considering buying one of these 2 machines for farm work and I need someone who has operated both to help me make a decission. I,am a old fella and my legs dont work good anymore in fact I use a cain to even get around so my question is which machine would be the easyist for me to operate with leg problems ? guys getting old in body is very tough so enjoy your health while you have it because most likely it will fade and if your like me and enjoy a good days work it makes you feel like a slacker because you cant do like you you,st to do. all help is appreciated bob

Just my opinion , I'd go for the 953B. The steering pedals are a little more user friendly , some 955 steer easy , some you got to stand on. You could also weld on similar steps and handles like on the late 53C , there is a step on the loader arm and a grab bar on top the lift arm to aid in getting on and off. I don't care who you are or how old these things help.

953B would be my choice any day.

all imput is appreciated fellas

Pedals are easier on the 53 and they really aren't that tall to get in. I worked with an older gentleman who carried a short aluminum ladder with him to get in trucks and equipment. I know what you mean, in my mid 50's and can see the wear and tear of being on equipment and tractors since I was 5 years old. You can probably find someone with both machines that would let you run one for awhile to see which you like. I ran a 955k for years, good machine but you knew you had set on it all day. I had a 53 for a few years and really liked it. Good luck

As a 955 current owner I would say get the 953. I like my 955 but don't like sitting in it all day as gwhammy mentioned. The good thing is I can fix about anything on it, cannot say the same with the 953. If it breaks it can be costly from what I've read here on the forum. Good luck

DOESNT THE 955L HAVE sleves in the engine ? I,ve been told the 953 dont. theres a real nice 955l,1982 model 1 owner fairly close to me I,ve found for asking price of 18,500.00. its has a 4-1 bucket also

You are right. The A model has the same motor as the 55's. The B has a 3116 throw away motor. I like the older motor, they are basically a 3306 with two cylinders gone. Fairly dependable if you keep oil and water in them.

Is the pedels on your 955 hard to push down ?

BCOWANWHEELS said: Is the pedels on your 955 hard to push down ? Click to expand... Not if everything is working right and adjusted. Just finished fixing my breaks and now she steers pretty easy. have not driven a 953 so I have no comparison. Just bought new chains and sprockets to put on mine in the spring. Then replace the track tension springs

Cant you get wide pads for the 955 ? I dont want to tear up my pasture any worse than I have to.

BCOWANWHEELS said: Cant you get wide pads for the 955 ? I dont want to tear up my pasture any worse than I have to. Click to expand... Pretty sure you can, just takes money. While mine is not a LGP they don't tear things up much doing to havening what most call "street tracks", they don't mess up asphalt either. The down side is they don't dig in as well

I,ve noticed alot of guys take the guards off the 955 track spring area. why ? all the crud goes where it isnt supposed to be...

BCOWANWHEELS said: I,ve noticed alot of guys take the guards off the 955 track spring area. why ? all the crud goes where it isnt supposed to be... Click to expand... When I bought this one years ago it didn't have one there, prior owner said it had rusted away. It would be better as you say IMO to have it replaced. As part of my rebuilding I'm thinking about replacing it. or make one and install my self.

theres a 955 that is being parted out in louisville on craigslist.

BCOWANWHEELS said: theres a 955 that is being parted out in louisville on craigslist. Click to expand... Send a link and I'll have a look, I'm real close to TN and when I bought mine I saw one up there and it was in real bad shape, might be the same one

sorry its in frankfort,ky. http://lexington.craigslist.org/hvo/4815800219.html

Doesn't look bad for it's age, and says it runs and has heat and air. Has to be something wrong (trans final drive my guess) with it if he is willing to part out. Might have to give a call to find out what the issues are

i,d at lest get the gaurds you need. who knows you might get the whole rig cheap

Called the guy and he sold it last week. oh well just the way it goes