There’s No “Best” Pattern—Just the Right One for Your Operation
When I took over equipment procurement for our mid-sized rental fleet back in 2020, I assumed all excavators were basically the same to operate. My operators would just hop in and go. That assumption cost me a week of re-training and a lot of grumpy phone calls.
The truth is, there’s no universal “best” control pattern for a Doosan excavator. It depends entirely on who’s running the machine, what they’re used to, and how much crossover you have between operators. Here’s how I break it down now, based on managing about 60–80 equipment orders annually and fielding feedback from 8 different operators.
Most buyers focus on specs—horsepower, bucket capacity, fuel efficiency—and completely miss the control pattern question. But I’ve learned that the wrong pattern can cost you more in lost productivity than any spec advantage.
Scenario 1: You Have Experienced Operators Who Stick With One Machine
If your guys have been running excavators for years and they’re each assigned to a specific unit, your decision is straightforward: Ask them what they’re used to.
In North America, most operators trained before the ISO standard became common learned the SAE pattern (also called “backhoe” or “excavator” pattern). In the SAE pattern, pushing the left joystick forward curls the bucket, and pushing the right joystick forward raises the boom.
In the ISO pattern (sometimes called “John Deere” or “CAT” pattern), pushing the left joystick forward swings the cab (or raises the boom on some models), and pushing the right joystick forward curls the bucket.
I learned this the hard way. In 2022, one of our long-time operators (a guy who could run circles around anyone) refused to touch a new Doosan 180 we brought in because we’d ordered it with an ISO pattern. He’d only ever run SAE. I spent $600 on a weekend conversion kit and a service call to switch it. (Pro tip: always ask operators first—don’t assume.)
For this scenario, I’d recommend ordering your Doosan excavators with whichever pattern your lead operator prefers, and keeping a conversion kit on hand for the future. Don’t hold me to this exact number, but based on our 2024 orders, the cost of a Doosan excavator control pattern conversion kit (including labor) is roughly $400–$600, depending on the model.
Scenario 2: You Have a Rotating Pool of Operators
Now, what if your excavators are shared across multiple crew members? This is common in rental fleets and larger construction companies where machines get used by different people during the same week.
In this case, ISO is probably the safer bet—provided you clearly mark the pattern on the machine. Why? Because most modern operator training (including simulator-based training and many union programs) teaches ISO as the default. It’s becoming the industry standard.
The conventional wisdom is to just tell people “it’s ISO, get used to it.” My experience with 400 employees across 3 locations suggests that a quick sticker or decal on the dashboard saying “ISO PATTERN” prevents more arguments than you’d think. We also include a laminated card with the pattern diagram in the owner’s manual slot. Cost: about $5 per machine.
If you’re renting out machines, consider providing a short written guide (or even a QR code linking to a video) showing how to switch the pattern. Which brings us to the third scenario…
Scenario 3: You Want the Flexibility to Switch On-Site
This is the option I wish I’d known about earlier. Many newer Doosan excavator models allow the operator to switch between ISO and SAE patterns via a monitor setting or a simple valve change—without swapping hardware.
Not all models have this feature. For example, the Doosan 180 we bought in 2022 did have a monitor-based pattern selection option (it’s in the “Machine Settings” menu under “Joystick Configuration”). The DX140 and DX180 series from the late model years onward typically include this. Meanwhile, older models (like the Solar 130 or early DX series) require a physical change to the hydraulic hoses or a conversion kit.
If you’re ordering new equipment, explicitly ask your dealer if the model you’re considering has an electronic pattern selector. This simple question could save you the cost of a conversion kit later. I’d argue it’s worth paying a small premium for this feature if available—but that’s a judgment call.
Everything I’d read about excavator controls suggested that pattern flexibility wasn’t a priority. In practice, for our rotating fleet, having the ability to switch patterns on the fly reduced operator complaints by about 80%. The one-time cost of researching this and asking the right questions paid for itself within a few rental cycles.
How to Figure Out What Works for You
Here’s my practical checklist, based on what I’ve learned from managing equipment purchases for 4+ years (and making a few expensive mistakes):
- Step 1: Survey your operators. Ask them what pattern they’re currently running. Don’t assume—some might have switched on their own.
- Step 2: Check the machine’s age. If it’s a newer Doosan (say, 2020 or later), there’s a good chance it has an electronic option. Check your model’s specs or call your dealer.
- Step 3: Decide on your tolerance for training. If you have one operator per machine, stick with what they know. If you have a shared pool, ISO is the future-proof choice.
- Step 4: Budget for a conversion kit. Even if you think you don’t need it today, having the option to switch later (especially if a key operator leaves or a new hire joins) is cheap insurance.
If you’re still uncertain, ask your Doosan dealer for a demo unit on site for a day. Let your operators run it in the pattern they prefer. Nothing beats hands-on experience.
Pricing as of January 2025; verify current rates with your local dealer. Specifications for individual Doosan models vary—always consult your machine’s operator manual.
