Cat tweaks its medium wheel loaders

cat wheel loaders

Cat has updated its M Series medium wheel loaders to include numerous new tech features designed to lower operating costs, enhanced operator comfort, meet emission standards and expand productivity measurement tools.

The 2019 product update applies to Cat’s 950M – 982M medium wheel loaders.

Periodic updates allow Caterpillar to bring new features to market more quickly and frequently than new product introductions.

Remote flash

Remote flash is one of the new features available on the new wheel loaders. The feature allows dealers to push software update files to the customer’s machine and authorizes the user to initiate installation via the dealer service portal. Any authorized user with Caterpillar Corporate Web Security ID and a mobile device can initiate flash, which takes 30 minutes from initiation to completion. The service is provided at no cost to dealers for machines with cellular Product Link with remote-flash-compatible software.

Extended service intervals

Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V models save maintenance costs by extending engine oil, engine oil filter and hydraulic oil filter change intervals from 500 hours up to 1,000 hours. Based on estimated comparisons of total engine and hydraulic fluids, filters, and sampling costs during a 6,000-hour period, costs can be potentially reduced by 16 to 23 per cent. As well, several fuel and engine oil filters are being converted from spin-on to cartridge-type. The benefit of cartridge-type filters includes fewer parts to replace at servicing as the housing is retained, easier disposal of used elements and less costly replacement parts.

Next gen seats and suspensions

The next generation of seats and suspensions offers three trim levels — comfort, deluxe and premium plus — and feature high-visibility, seat-adjustment controls, as well as ride stiffness adjustments.

A new suspension for deluxe and premium plus trim levels increases dampening at the top and bottom of seat travel, providing additional suspension stability and avoid hard stops at travel limits.

The ride stiffness of the seat suspension is adjustable to different settings, allowing operators to tailor seat dampening to individual preferences and to the application. This feature was previously included only with EH steering (joystick and wheel). With the 2019 wheel loader update, it is now included with HMU steering wheel units with deluxe and premium plus seats.

Payload management for wheel loaders

The Cat Advanced Productivity application is a web-based tool used to visualize production-related data and complements Cat Payload, Cat Production Measurement 2.0. The tool is accessed from VisionLink and includes a user-customizable report dashboard, cycle-by-cycle downloadable data and a list of features for truck and material identification lists.

Other key features include a new mobile friendly user interface, time series data, multiple asset comparison, fleet or individual asset key-process-indicator target settings and support for multiple machine types.

New configurations

New configurations in the medium wheel loader lineup include the 982M forestry machine and the 982M high lift.

The new 982M Forestry Machine is capable lifting 12,700 kg with a pin-on mill yard grapple. Changes from the standard 982M include a larger tilt cylinder, upgraded rear frame and heavier counterweight.

The 982M high lift, compared with the standard lift version, increases dump clearance under the bucket pin from 4.7 metres to 5.1 metres. Configuration changes from the standard 982M include a new lift arm, new tilt cylinder, new tilt link, and the counterweight from the 982M Aggregate Handler.

Advansys GET

The Advansys ground-engaging-tool (GET) system included in the product update is a Cat tip system designed with features that result in less drag and higher productivity. The new tip shapes place wear-resistant material in the most vulnerable areas, resulting in longer service life. A stronger adapter nose equals up to 50 per cent less stress, and improved adapter-nose geometry reduces sliding wear on adapter surfaces. New 980M and 982M wheel loader buckets are released with weld on adapters; 950M – 982M bolt-on adapters are interchangeable with the former J and K Series. 

Among the package of updates for medium wheel loaders is a new universal coupler for models 966M – 972M. The new coupler eliminates width interference with multiple tools and a reduced offset increases breakout force by 4 percent.

Furthermore, new LED and halogen work and roading light packages increase safety when working in dark conditions.

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