Caterpillar announces a range of new Cat attachments to increase application flexibility of its next generation skid steer loader (SSL) and compact track loader (CTL), mini hydraulic excavators and certain backhoe loader models.
Built to deliver performance in the field, these new attachments are designed to optimize the performance advantages offered by next generation machines when completing land reclamation, grading, construction, demolition, agriculture, snow removal, trenching and other applications, according to Caterpillar.
"Next generation Cat CTL and SSL models ushered in a new era of machine performance and capabilities," said Hayden Murray, global director of compact products. "Our new heavy duty multipurpose (HD MP) buckets provide increased bucket capacity and durability, meeting the higher power and performance of next generation loaders. For larger CTLs equipped with rear auxiliary hydraulics, we now offer a retrieval winch optimized for land management machines and the ripper/scarifier tool breaks up and conditions the ground for grading and landscaping applications."
Versatile Buckets
New Cat HD MP buckets help to optimize SSL and CTL versatility when digging, dozing, clamping, scraping, back dragging, grading and leveling. Designed specifically for next generation Cat 250 — 285 models, eight different bucket options offer widths ranging from 74 to 92 in. and capacities of 0.7 to 0.88 cu. yds. These new HD MP buckets deliver up to 21 percent higher capacity versus similar standard MP buckets, according to Caterpillar.
With their serrated clam and dozer edges, these new buckets provide better material clamping retention. Reinforced side plates enhance bucket longevity and performance in demanding digging conditions and bolt- on replaceable cutting edges offer edge protection, enhance structural strength and prolong bucket life. Serrated steps help to ensure the operator's safety when entering/exiting the cab.
Ideal for Land Management
Designed for larger Cat 270 to 285 XE models equipped with rear auxiliary hydraulics, the new Cat retrieval winch allows operators to self-retrieve or recover a stuck machine due to challenging terrain or adverse underfoot conditions.
Featuring an industrial planetary gear and hydraulic winch motor, this new winch offers a rated line pull of 18,000 lb. ft. The design minimally impedes rear camera view to give operators maximum visibility to machine clearances and recovery operations.
With its quick-disconnect hose design, the retrieval winch integrates into the joystick controls for dedicated hydraulic power-in/power-out operation. Its recessed roller fairlead design provides protection from damage, while permanently lubricated bronze bushings offer long roller life and smooth winch rope retrieval. Featuring a swing-away winch frame design, service techs maintain full-service access to the engine bay with simple removal of the retention-pin, according to Caterpillar.
Efficient Ripping/Scarifying
Designed for use with Cat CTLs with rear auxiliary hydraulics, the new Cat ripper/scarifier breaks up, loosens or conditions the surface layer of compacted soil. It is ideal for scarifying tree roots, fields and small to medium rocks and, when paired with the Cat smart dozer blade and Cat smart grader blade, it enhances grading in construction applications. Integrated with joystick controls, it features dedicated operational control.
The removeable and replaceable shanks and teeth are the same design as those used on Cat motor graders, and its multi-shank design allows the operator to select the number of shanks necessary for the application. The ripper/scarifier's unique parallelogram linkage design allows shanks and teeth to rotate inward when raised to maximize machine departure angle. When lowered, it enables full-service access to the engine bay for daily maintenance tasks, according to Caterpillar.
"Our innovative next generation mini excavators made significant performance and serviceability advancements with groundbreaking designs, technology integration and an elevated operator experience," said Murray. "These new mulcher, grading beam and tilting bucket attachments, specifically designed to meet customer needs, offer more solutions to enhance productivity and utilization, so customers can do more jobs with one machine."
High-Performance Mulching
New Cat bite-limiter mulchers for 6- to 10-ton Cat mini excavators deliver high-performance cutting and mulching of vegetation, saplings and undergrowth from overgrown agricultural and forested terrain. With ribs on the rotor limiting material penetration of the chisel teeth to prevent stalling, the new mulcher quickly reduces trees and shrubs into mulched material, making it ideal for environmental maintenance and land reclamation, according to Caterpillar. Smaller bits provide a finer finish product for fast decomposition.
An integrated thumb bracket allows the operator to pull or push material into position for mulching or to move it away from the mulching area. With a gauge included to ensure correct sharpening, the chisel teeth deliver a consistent cut and finished product, according to Caterpillar.
The design features a variable displacement piston motor that provides high torque at low speed to power through tough material with reduced risk of stalling and automatically switches displacement to high speed once the material is cleared.
Precise Grading
Designed for use with 5- to 10-ton Cat mini excavators, the new tilt rotate system (TRS) Cat grading beams deliver precise grading and leveling capabilities, especially for 2D and 3D applications when used with TRS6 and TRS8 attachments, according to Caterpillar.
Available 59.5 in. and 78.7 in. widths allow these grading beams to offer efficient, high-performance grading with 360 degrees of rotation and up to 40 degrees angling capability. TRS vibration combines with machine down pressure to effectively compact material for a quality surface finish.
Enabling clean leveling and grading at the job site, fixed in-line grading beams easily collect, transport and spread materials and spill guards positioned on top of the in-line wings provide added control over material movement. Depth of the heavy-duty roller and scraper assembly is variable via side bearings for added versatility, and the heavy-duty scraper cleans the roller drum in both forward and reverse direction to prevent silt, clay, mud and other materials from sticking to the roller bar, according to Caterpillar. When performing material compaction, the roller can be used in both forward and reverse directions.
Ditch Cleaning Buckets
New pin-on Cat tilting ditch cleaning buckets feature tilting angle flexibility for digging trenches, slopes and other applications where up to 45-degree digging angles are required. With widths and capacities ranging from 48 to 60 in. and 12.9 to 16.4 cu. ft. respectively, bucket designs are available for next generation 307.5, 308, 309 and 310 mini excavators as well as center-pivot and side shift backhoe loaders. A two-cylinder bucket design creates equal left/right tilt speed and equal hold force. The horizontally positioned two tilt cylinders are connected to one auxiliary for precise, synchronized movement of both cylinders.
Their modular bracket design limits loss of breakout and digging forces, and the bracket connection features low offset for maximum digging efficiency. Limiting wear and reducing maintenance, the bucket has a hardened head center bolt and hardened bushings design. Integrated tilting head stops protect cylinders from overload, while dirt deflector spill guards protect the cylinder from potential material impact damage, according to Caterpillar.
Optimal for grading and digging work, the curved side plate design with curved cutting edges provides easier material penetration and better loading and unloading, and standard waterholes provide draining and anti-vacuum when digging sludge.
For more information, visit cat.com.
