Yes, but the trailer has 2 12k axles, meaning it likely has a sticker on it saying it's gvw is 24k. Your truck gvw is likely 12k.
Even tho you are under the 26k in weight, the gcvw is 24 +12 = 36k, which is 10 k over the cdl requirement of 26k. The fine would likely be $10,000 if i remember correctly, because it used to be a dollar a pound for overweight. Basically there's a gcvw rule and then an overweight rule. You would be good on the weight rule, but your non cdl license would not be good for the combined weight combination, so they got you there. Then they could see that the truck you are using isn't rated to handle that much on a bumper pull setting, so even more (you need to look into what truck you want to pull that with, i think my 350 is only rated for an 18k bumper pull, everything heavier is 5th wheel or gooseneck). You also need a medical card, so if you/ the driver didn't have that even more fines. They would likely require a log book for interstate travel, possibly a mc or dot number because you are out of state, different insurance, etc. Basically all I'm saying is you need to be aware of all this crap because that's what it's come to anymore. There's a reason most people try to avoid cdl stuff like the plague, because a few idiots made them enact all these rules and so it's a giant pain anymore.
As far as the controls yeah most machines will have a switch that you can go from cat/excavator controls to deere/backhoe controls. If i remember right the machine you rented has it in a small compartment right as you get in the machine by the floor, secured with a lock so an idiot doesn't switch it on you for giggles if you go take a leak or something. I don't have a bunch of seat time in newer machines, but i have a 3 stick with foot swing backhoe that I'm pretty good with. When you are digging you are lifting the boom as you crowd with the dipper, and are trying to keep the bucket moving perfectly flat. This requires that you pull back on both levers in a synchronized manner, subtly adjusting which one's controlling what. The brain masters this brilliantly, much like a video game control. Well you get used to one arm doing one and the other doing the other, and it's very very hard to change that unless.... you cross your arms so the arms are doing their "proper" task
you only need to do the arm cross thing if the machine can't change controls, and the old wobble stick backhoes require you to reroute hoses to change controls (giant headache), so for as little as I'm ever on one you just swap hands so you can still do stuff. The swing and curl are still messed up, but the main thing of moving in a flat plane is good so you can work safely. I've met some dudes that can run both, but they are definitely the exception to the rule and in construction where they are digging next to people and things you don't want hit, having the right controls is literally a life or death thing.
