4 lever vs 2 lever backhoe

[RoninGlo]

Hi I origionally learned on a 4 stick machine I switched over to 2 lever controls later and can run either very well. I found there are a lot of joy stick guys who have trouble with 4 sticks but every guy who learned on a 4 stick machine has no trouble running either. I agree with what you said about the comfort of the 4 stick over the two. The big advantage I have found is that with the 4 stick machine you can operate two levers with one hand but you can't do that with a two stick machine where this comes in handy is when you are digging a ditch you can push yourself ahead useing crowd and the boom controls with on hand freeing up the other hand on the steering wheel keeping the machine straight impossible with a two lever machine. So for all you young guys who think us old timers who prefer a 4 lever machine are just set in our ways and don't want to change. This is from someone who can run either machine very well. so if you can't run a 4 lever mschine don't knock it
 

[craigco]

I learned on a 3 stick then the two stick. Then had to learn the two diffrent control patterns for the two stick. That was the hardest, I can go from trackhoe to backhoe with out a problem. Havent had to run a 3 stick in over 10 years. just dont seem them around much. I am proably one of the young ones to in my early 30s.
 

[gusbratz]

I just upgraded to 1990 426 cat, it is a 2 stick. I have spent the last 6 years using my 1960 3 stick case 530 and am pretty good with it. I was sitting in the cat admiring everything and was thinking the same thing, " how in the world am I going to reach back over my seat and put down pressure on the boom as I lever the dipper stick out to push my self along while I gas it and steer." I don’t thing I am going to miss the foot pedals though.
 

[B Dean]

I learned on a 2 stick,Bought a old international 3444 2 sticks on each side of seat.Got used to it finely.then bought a 580 k case with 3 stick/foot swing pedals,didnt like it. Found a 2stick at a junk yard but they wanted to sell the cab with it .About a month later he told me he would sell the controls,I said no Im used to the case controls now,now it dont matter.
 

[JOHNNYfromMI]

First one I run had long levers for the clutches and foot pedels for the breaks. Never had a hyd oil leak because it had cables and clutches to make it work. The last one a 375 cat had 2 joysticks, a soft seat, radio, ac/heat, door with window.


Love the jotsticks.
 

[NCWayne]

I work on machines more than run them, but I did learn to run a backhoe on a 4 lever machine. For someone like myself with big hands/long fingers, a 4 stick is really easy to operate. While I won't claim to be as good with a 2 stick as with a 4, I can operate them pretty well too. Like you I know many younger guys that have never run a 4 stick machine and play heck trying when faced with one. I always give them he!!, but it's all in fun because I once had to learn myself...
 

[Billy NY]

I can do it, its been a long time since using a 4 lever backhoe, I can remember running an old dynahoe that was 4 lever, and of course the same discussion ensuing at times. My opinion was joystick controls, like on modern backhoes, (CAT setting, is just fine for me)is still better. Maybe some call it excavator controls in other areas.

I can perform any task with ease, need a light touch, no problem. Operating the backhoe in one fluid motion vs. jerky uncoordinated, beginner moves,dangerous to someone working in the trench or near you is just easier and safer, well that is until you get used to the 4 lever, and I can't say I could exhibit the same finesse as a joystick or 2 lever. Thats just me, I think the 4 lever is a thing of the past, would prefer the 2 stick for many reason, however if thats what I had or was paid to run I'd try to master it, it does take more coordination. When I was a kid we sold Ford tractors, and backhoes, 3500-6500's, all were 4 lever, seemed most were back then.


So many years later while in between jobs, and for the 2nd time, I went to the operating engineer school in NJ Local #825, to test on all their machines, figured I could do that and make a decent buck, same as I was in management, having over 4 years full time experience and all the years growing up around equipment, no problem. Showed my skills were excellent on all, loader, excavator, dozer, then they had a Case, foot swing, never even heard of one let alone run one of these, well I told the guy observing, don't laugh, first time ever on one, still got the trench dug, just took a few steps to learn it. YOu probably will adapt after a day or so, no I hated that arrangement, due to the situation but again, won't knock it, as if assigned to run one of these, you just have to adapt. Another waste of time, was more about who you knew, then your skills, never did get in and tried 2 locals back then.
 

[Stick welding]

What about the early excavators that used 2 foot pedals and 2 long levers to control the functions. That would take some practice. Just like the debate over skid steer controls.
 

[DonBC]

It has been years since I have operated a backhoe and only TLB's. They were either 4 stick or three stick and foot swing. No problem with either. Two sticks under each hand and the bucket seemed as if it was an extension of my own hand. Smooth and precise. I have never had a chance to run a two stick machine but I could probably pick it up quickly. A two stick machine might be easier for a new operator and maybe a little smoother for an operator that has no natural talent. I worked with a guy that had owned his own machines for years and was a terrible operator. He was about as smooth as a one fingered typist and was always replacing cracked hydraulic lines or welding cracks on the boom.
 

[steve n carol]

When I was a kid, the neighbor was a backhoe operator, and quite the mechanic! He had a FORD TLB.

I don't recall how many levers/pedals he had on that machine long, long ago, but I do remember that he took a handful of 3/8" drive universal sockets and welded them to the original controls up to 2 separate sticks.
 

[Mike (WA)]

Here's a tip- if you have never run a 2 stick before, don't try chunking up a stump burn pile as your first attempt!

I hired a professional operator to split and dig out stumps (fir, up to 24 inches). He rented the biggest excavator he could get, and by putting a tooth on top of the stump, and rocking back and forth while pushing down, was able to split most of the stumps. Then dug 'em out and we piled and burned them.

Before he left for the weekend, he showed me how to operate it, so I could "chunk up" the piles as they burned down. It was maddening- I would kind of get the hang of it, would just about have a pile done, then one false move and I'd knock the whole thing apart and have to start over. Took me an hour to do a 10 minute job. But look at the fun I had!

Wife went to the house, later said she was afraid I'd "accidentally" knock her down with the thing, because she was laughing so hard. I told her she was perfectly safe- I couldn't have hit her on a bet.

I now have an Allmand backhoe with 2 stick, and I'm OK at it. But that first lesson was pretty rocky. . .
 

[scotc]

I'd say I was probably 7 when I learned to run the 4-stick 555A in our gravel pit. In 92 we stepped up to a late 555B 2-stick. I haven't been on a backhoe in over 2 years now but bet I could hop on either one and go right to diggin.
 

[ihman73]

I learned on a 580 Case 3 lever foot swing, I wouldn't call myself a pro but I can do what I need to do.