Caterpillar touts new excavators, UTVs at press event

PEORIA, Ill. — Caterpillar demoed their newest products – including mini excavators, UTVs, backhoe loaders and compact wheel loaders – earlier this month during its year-end press event.

Though the equipment was first revealed at GIE+EXPO in October, the company invited media to its headquarters in Peoria to get an up-close look at the new products. Among other products, project managers additionally revealed Caterpillar's new Cat App, the Cat GRADE with 3D and the C13B engine.

For the event, Caterpillar flew in customers who helped conceptualized the new models and who have tested these products for several months. Greg Worley, a senior product engineer, said his team received input from hundreds of clients as they designed, particularly with their new line of Next Generation mini-excavators.

"An engineer can design anything in the world, but it might not be of any value to the customer," Worley said. "It's not just a group of customers that have been here to test products. It's every customer who's come to a dealer and complained, 'Why can't my machine do this?'"

Caterpillar's lineup of Next Generation hydraulic excavators includes the 1-2 ton 301.5, 301.7 CR, 301.8, and 302 CR, as well as the 7-10 ton 307.5, 308 CR, 308 CR VAB, 309 CR VAB and 310. All of the models can change from conventional lever/foot-pedal steering controls to joystick control at the touch of a button.  They all feature a tilt-up canopy or cab for easier servicing and maintenance.

Comfort was also one of Caterpillar's focuses, as the cab is pressurized and sealed to reduce dust intrusion and includes heating and air conditioning. The front window slides upward and stores overhead, and larger glass areas on the side, top and rear of the cab increase visibility. The operating consoles feature adjustable wrist rests, and a suspension seat is available. The excavators also all have expandable undercarriages across the range.

UTVs and more

Caterpillar launched a two-seat UTV model last year, marking the first time the company dabbled with utility vehicles. Now it has the gasoline-powered Cat CUV82 and diesel-powered CUV102 D models. They both have five seats and the same bed size as last year's UTVs, plus they can reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour.  Both vehicles tout a 1,000-lb total rear cargo capacity, 2,000-lb towing capacity and a long swing-arm suspension. Cat UTVs can be adapted with over 50 accessories. 

UTV marketing manager Norma Aldinger said Caterpillar always knew it wanted to start with the two-seat UTVs and get those right before expanding to a five-seat model. She said there's an increased demand for larger UTVs that correlates with an increase in landscaping and hardscaping jobs.

We could get used to this view ?? We're trying out @CaterpillarInc's new UTVs at their indoor facility in Peoria. pic.twitter.com/GWtKYTiklg

— Lawn & Landscape (@lawnlandscape) November 15, 2018

"I've run into a lot of landscapers who say they want versatility. They have UTVs for work and for play," Aldinger said. "[They] are carrying rocks and more of that material from job site to job site. People want to get more out of their vehicles."

Caterpillar also exhibited its new line of backhoe loaders and compact wheel loaders. The 440 backhoe loader boasts a 25 percent lifting improvement over Caterpillar's previous 430F2, plus revamped single tilt loader arms that provide parallel lift and versatility in a multitude of applications. The 450 BHL offers 15 percent higher lifting capacity than the 450F and introduces an all-new cab for increased operator comfort. Meanwhile, the 903D and 918M compact wheel loaders boast a higher pay load per pass, improved ground speed and more attachment capabilities than previous models in Caterpillar's CWL family.

For more information on all of Caterpillar's new products, visit the company's website.