FORT HOOD, Texas - Mechanics and engineers from 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, 1st Cavalry Division here learned hands-on a new piece of construction equipment Aug. 10-22.
The Caterpillar equipment, a 120M Grader - a construction machine used to grade or level the ground - has been in service since 2012, and replaced the 130G Motor Grader model, which has been in service for more than 30 years. New features on the 120M include a quieter engine, electrical software, all-wheel drive, an air-conditioned cab and hand controls.
The mechanics learned the maintenance and software of the grader while the engineers learned preventive maintenance and how to operate it, said John Galvan, a Cat new equipment fielder-trainer.
The new grader offers engineers advanced build techniques, which allow them to be more productive in their work, said Sgt. Dwayne Phelps, a Bronx, New York, native and engineer assigned to Company A, 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd BCT.
"The grader is going to be very beneficial to our work," said Phelps. "We support armor crews and have to build the roads and tank ditches for them."
Both, engineers and mechanics are learning skills of the future by using this advanced machine.
"This is the future of grading in construction," said Galvan. "(New construction equipment) is going from the manual-lever to the electro-hydraulic side of operations."
With technological advancements in equipment, he was excited to be part of this training, said Sgt. Brent Ziegler, a native of Canton, Ohio, and a mechanic assigned to Forward Support Company E, 8th BEB.
"I was intrigued and excited to learn the mechanics of this new equipment," said Ziegler. "The grader is easy; definitely operator- and mechanic-friendly and easier to diagnose with the installed software."
The software for diagnosing electrical problems is useful not only for the grader but for all Caterpillar equipment, which gives mechanics a more universal approach to fixing equipment, said Galvan.
In addition to universal software, the newer universal joystick controls and improved interior will allow operators a more comfortable environment to work in, said Galvan.
"My favorite part is the joystick controls," said Phelps. "The younger Soldiers are used to using controls in video games like the joysticks in the grader, making it easier for them to learn quickly."
Overall, the benefits of the 120M are substantial to both mechanics and operators, said Phelps.
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