Excavator Controls

New toy. The machine is set up for the two styles of control Sae and Iso. Which would be the better to learn and get comfortable with. Thanks Jim

If you won't be switching around to someone else's machine that's set up one way or the other, and won't be loaning it to others who are used to one or the other, whichever seems more natural to you. It's usually an easy switch, so you could try it for an hour each way and see what you thought. If you are really 6 on the one hand and half a dozen the other, go ISO.

Whichever you use, make sure that if you do loan it out, rent it out, or permit anyone else to operate it that you be sure they understand which mode it is in [b:dcee8a690a]before[/b:dcee8a690a] they get in the cab, and if they are wedded to the other one, flip the switch - but be sure to flip it back before you use it again if you have gotten used to the one you use.

Switching between them is where you get into trouble, IMHO - you expect this control to do that thing, and it does something else.

Had to rent an excavator - coming off my 4-stick backhoe. The joystick boys were sure I'd love the joysticks, but really it's whatever you are used to - I've been running 4 sticks for 10 years. Most things you can do with joysticks that are awkward with 4 sticks are not things that you actually need to do when digging, IME.

Which ever seems the most natural to YOU. Some people are used to running track excavators and some are used to running rubber tired backhoes. Set them up for the type of machine you're most likely to use the most. Good operators can use both. It's the same as skid steers. Some people like hand controls and some like foot controls. It's your preference, not anyone else's. Dave

It is really up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

While I can run both equally well I really rather run the Cat (ISO) controls.
I do know some that like the John Deere (SAE) controls better because the dipper stick and bucket are on the same control. You can rub your nose for that second while still digging.
Either is a whole lot better than that dang foot swing Case has.

Dozers are hard for me to switch between. I much rather foot clutch over hand clutch. To many things for my hands to do.