cw-6-2i

A Whole New Family of
Cats Play in the Spanish
Sun
Caterpillar may have decided not to attend Intermat 2015
- the platform for the launch of new equipment for many
companies. However, the recent event at the Caterpillar
Demonstrations and Learning Centre at Malaga, Spain
demonstrated that the company continues its R&D program
with the introduction of a raft of new models. The
new announcements were not restricted to a specific product
type but across a wide range.
The company presented the latest additions to their
range of tracked excavators, tracked dozers, articulated
dump trucks, wheel loaders, tracked loaders, material handlers
and backhoe loaders. The presentations also showed
the company’s commitment to using technology to further
lower fuel consumption while increasing productivity and
overall operating efficiency.
The Spanish weather also contributed with two warm,
sunny days providing the perfect backdrop to the new additions
to the Cat family.
Technology Supersedes
Engineering
Ten years ago when a company introduced a new model,
the emphasis was mainly on stronger undercarriage, a bigger,
more spacious cab, stronger booms and arms to increase
payload and other engineering enhancements.
Today, manufacturers have realised that weight to load
ratios are as good as they can be in engineering terms. The
emphasis, today, is on the rapid growth in digital technology,
which, when integrated into the mechanical systems
can provide an almost autonomous solution to routine
tasks, maintenance and investment management.
However, there continues to be further engineering
improvements to strengthen critical areas for improved
Contractors World International Vol 6 No 1
stability and load handling capabilities.
Latest in Excavators
The new Cat 336F L/LN excavator, replacing the 336E L/LN,
is powered by a C9.3 ACERT engine, rated at 321 metric
horsepower (236 kW) that meets EU Stage IV emissions
standards. This and other new features enhance overall
fuel efficiency and deliver fuel savings of up to 8 percent,
compared with its predecessor.
A heavy-duty, 6.5 m reach boom and three stick options
—3.9 m (available only with the long undercarriage),
3.2 m and 2.8 m — provide excellent all-around versatility
for general excavation work, such as multipurpose digging
and loading. The 6.18 m mass-excavation (ME) boom
and matching 2.55 m stick are designed for enhanced performance
and production when moving high volumes of
heavy material.
Many customers will welcome the news that the latest
models are to have advanced technology fitted as standard.
Cat Grade Control Depth and Slope, a factory-integrated
system standard for the new 336F models, uses protected
sensors in the front linkage to provide real-time positioning
and cut/fill data through the cab monitor.
Operators save time by attaining specifications on the
first pass, while conserving fuel, reducing machine wear,
conserving fill materials, and minimizing grade-checker
involvement.
The system can also be upgraded to meet customer
needs. Cat dealers can easily upgrade the system to 3D capability
with Cat AccuGrade GPS or Universal Total Station
(UTS) packages.
LINK technologies, such as the Product Link system,
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