Cat showcases excavators, wheel loader at event in Peoria

By Allison Kral| October 31, 2014

Caterpillar rolled out some of its new equipment at a media event Oct. 28-30 at its headquarters in Peoria, Ill.

At the company’s Edwards Demonstration & Learning Center, employees demonstrated Cat’s F-series hydraulic excavators, M950 wheel loader and CT681 vocational truck.

323F and 335F hydraulic excavators

Cat’s 323F and 335F hydraulic excavators were showcased at its demonstration facility in Peoria, Ill.

Cat’s 323F and 335F hydraulic tracked excavators were designed with two enhancements in mind: lower operating costs and enhanced performance.

“We focused on reducing operating costs for our customers. We also focused on performance and job site versatility,” said Brian Stellbrink, product specialist at Caterpillar in Aurora, Ill.

By reducing the engine speed and increasing the hydraulic pump displacement, they were able to accomplish both of those goals, he said.

“At the end of the day, we’re seeing fuel consumption reduced up to 10 percent on the 323 compared to its predecessor (the E-series machines) and up to 17 percent on the 335.”

The machines come standard and are equipped with Cat Grade Control, which is a slope and guiding system, and passive emissions systems.

Cat’s 950M wheel loader features optimized linkage and joystick steering.

950M wheel loader

Cat’s 950M wheel loader was designed to improve customer efficiency.

Featuring joystick steering, the wheel loader has optimized linkage and is fitted with fourth valve hydraulics.

It has a Tier 4 engine and a new five-speed Cat power-shift transmission. According to the company, the machine also delivers 10 percent better fuel efficiency than its previous K-Series models.

“It’s kind of an entire system’s integration. We designed the work tools and the tractor all together,” said Dick Mars, North American product application specialist.

The CT681 vocational truck has a set-forward axle to improve ease of use for customers.

CT681 vocational truck

As with its other products, Cat designed its CT681 vocational truck with the customers’ needs in mind.

The truck can be fitted with a number of applications and includes a set-forward axle for customers affected by bridge law formulas and for those who prefer a longer wheelbase truck.

“The best part about it is, with it being a set-forward axle, we’ve designed it so that it is ready for the customer to work,” said Charissa Ebbert, marketing consultant with the on-highway truck group in Peoria, Ill.

The truck also comes redesigned with an optional true front frame extension and a front engine power take-off.

“With the front frame extension and with the way we designed the front of the truck, you can easily put work tools and attachments onto the truck to make it more effective for the customer.”