Mini skid steer and loader operators have new attachment options following an announcement from Caterpillar.
A new industrial brush cutter expands the current range of Caterpillar brush cutters. The attachment is engineered for applications that involve removing or controlling large amounts of brush, small trees and dense vegetation, such as land clearing, right-of way maintenance and site prep. The brush cutter is designed for use with skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, Cat multi terrain loaders, and compact wheel loaders fitted with a universal coupler.
The industrial brush cutter provides a 1.8 metre cutting width and is able to handle material up to 20 cm in diameter for all types of auxiliary configurations, whether standard-flow, XPS high-flow, or XHP high-flow.
The attachment’s high-strength frame and push-bar are designed to direct standing vegetation toward a series of four, hardened, reversible blades that quickly reduce material volume.
To extend service life from the cutter’s drive mechanism, the hydraulic motor and gearbox are designed for sustained operation in high ambient temperatures. As well, an anti-cavitation valve, in conjunction with an accumulator, protects the motor by ensuring consistent fluid flow, even during shutdown, according to Caterpillar.
Furthermore, the industrial brush cutter includes a heavy-duty, 410 kg blade carrier that provides high inertia for swinging the blades through dense brush; integrated debris deflector and heavy-duty skids; heavy-duty bearing case for securing the blade carrier to the drive system; and well-protected Cat XT-3 ES auxiliary-hydraulic hoses with a case-drain line for motor protection.
Caterpillar’s universal coupler
Caterpillar also introduced a new universal coupler for mini excavators.
The universal coupler either pins to the stick, or may be picked up with the Dual Lock Coupler, allowing skid-steer attachments to be interchanged and operated on an excavator.
The range of tools offered in the skid-steer interface includes bale spears, pallet forks and multi- and general-purpose buckets, which increase the versatility of the mini excavator in agricultural, construction, landscape and site-prep applications. The new coupler is designed for use with 4-ton, 5-ton, and 8-ton mini excavators.
The universal coupler incorporates manual handles to lock tools in place. The high-strength coupler weighs up to 130 kg to ensure strength and lifting capability.
