Deere vs Cat Controls: Which One Works Better for You?

[Rigroller]

Hey everyone, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on Deere vs. Cat control layouts in excavators. I’ve worked with both and seem to prefer Deere controls for my style, but I’ve heard a lot of people swear by CAT controls. What's your go-to control system and why? Would love to hear your experiences with each.

 

[John Calvin Lewis]

Both have their pros! I’ve always leaned toward Cat controls since they feel more intuitive to me, especially for fine grading. But I get why people like Deere, if you grew up on them, switching can feel awkward. Do you think it’s more about preference, or do you notice an actual difference in performance?

 

[Jobert_Scott]

I think it mostly comes down to what you’re used to. If you start on Deere, Cat feels weird, and vice versa. I’ve used both and can adapt, but Cat controls just feel a bit smoother for me, especially for precision work. Curious if you ever tried switching the pattern to see if it changes your preference?

 

[Grab_a_Buck]

Totally get what you're saying, Jobert! I’ve used both as well, and while I started on Deere, I’m actually leaning toward Cat controls now. They just feel a bit more responsive, especially when I’m doing those finer adjustments. I haven’t switched the pattern yet, but maybe I should give it a try to see if it makes a difference. It’s all about what feels natural at the end of the day!