Wanted Tour - Finning Canada

GROUNDBREAKERNew Cats on the BlockNeed more power but concerned that will mean asacrifice in comfort? Need more versatility but worriedthat it could cost you some juice? Caterpillar’snew 319C LN excavator and 904B compact wheelloader ensure that neither of these conundrumswill come to pass.Dirt, not problems, is all you’ll dig up.The 904B replaces the 902 model and provesthe adage that bigger isn’t always better. At justcustomers, the 319C LN is the latest Cat in the20-tonne class of excavators. The new machinecombines the upper structure of a 318C (themodel it replaces) with the lengthier undercarriageof a 320C LN, translating into improvedstability and lifting capacity. In fact, the overthe-frontlifting capacity for the 319C LN is morethan 20% greater than the 318C. The hydraulicsystem is also at the top of the class, so expect2.4 metres tall with a bucket that’s 1.8 metreswide, the efficient 904B provides the versatility ofa skid steer loader, while maintaining the power,comfort and fuel economy of a wheel loader.Using a mechanic or hydraulic quick coupler,the new Cat can handle a wide range of skid steerloader and wheel loader work tools, all with a designthat makes life easy for the operator. Whilethe Z-bar linkage offers superior digging capabilities,the short back end, compact dash and largefloor-length windows allows for a full view of thework area with clear site lines of the actual tool.And when it comes to working in tough terrain,the 904B delivers Cat reliability, durability and efficientoperation.Designed specifically for utility and rentalhigh performance, controllability and versatility. Arange of boom/stick options and a full line of jobmatchedbuckets and Cat work tools (includingquick couplers, hydraulic hammers, demolition/sorting grapples and multi-processors) means theworld is your oyster in terms of applications.But what makes operators drool is the ToolControl Pro option. This feature allows you toselect the flow/pressure settings for up to fivehydro-mechanical work tools without having toleave the spacious C-Series cab. Sliding switcheson the joysticks provide smooth control for thetools, reducing operator fatigue, while oil changeand greasing intervals have been extended.Power, comfort and versatility – the newest pairof Cats offer all three in one dynamic package.Alliance. “It introduces a new fuel source. By havinga dual-fuel vehicle, you can take advantage ofwhichever fuel source is best.”It’s a win-win situation for all involved. Eventhough the price of natural gas has increased oflate, Milner calls it “short-term pain,” expectingit to drop to the point where it will make economicas well as environmental sense to convert.Natural gas has traditionally enjoyed a significantcost advantage versus gasoline, she says, whichmeans vehicle owners can recover their initialinvestment in a relatively short time. “There aretwo sides to it for many companies – economicsand environment,” she says. “Some have to balanceboth.”The money available for the project comesfrom the $9.9-million Natural Gas for Vehiclesmeasure that was a component of the 2003 federalbudget. The project is open to Canadian corporationsand organizations that operate vehicles ina high-fuel-use fleet, such as municipal/provincialfleets, utilities fleets and private urban fleets,as well as contractors and small business operators.Go to www.ngvcanada.org for details.www.finning.ca Spring 2006 • TRACKS & TREADS 7