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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013
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COMPACT EQUIPMENT
manoeuvrable in tight, confined areas, and
easily transported between job sites. However,
it claims the machines do not sacrifice power,
safety, visibility, comfort or productivity.
WORKING ON RUBBER
There are currently nine rubber track loader
models in the Caterpillar lineup, including
both radial and vertical lift machines. The
rubber multi terrain loader line comprises
four models ranging from 46 to 55 kW (62
to 72 hp), and the steel embedded, rubber
track compact track loader line comprises five
models ranging from 55 kW to 82 kW (72 to
110 hp).
Caterpillar offers two distinct tracked
undercarriage designs, with each said to
provide advantages. Cat claimed these options
allowed its dealers to tailor the type of machine
to the customer’s application to provide a
solution offering the highest productivity for
the application with the lowest owning and
operating cost.
Both the MTL and the CTL rubber track
models feature a suspension system that
attaches to the machine chassis via torsion
axles. This is said to provide improved traction
and flotation as the torsion axles allow the
tracks to stay in contact with the ground.
Caterpillar claims to be the first in the industry
to offer a sealed and pressurised cab, standard
ergonomic low-effort joystick controls and an
adjustable suspension seat.
With the introduction of the D-Series
models, Caterpillar’s Intelligent Levelling
system (ILEV) enables three features –
Electronic Dual Self Level, Work Tool Return
to Dig, and Work Tool Positioner. The D Series
models also feature a new dial-type hand
throttle, and electronic throttle pedal that
provides a patented “decel” feature when at
high idle.
Finnish manufacturer Avant has added a
new model to its 600 series family of compact
loaders with the Avant 640. This is the third
machine to join the Avant 600 series and is said
to bring more drive speed and pulling force to
the 600 series with enhanced drive technology.
It is equipped with the same Kubota diesel
engine as the company’s 635, but thanks
to powerful two-speed drive motors, the
maximum drive speed of the 640 is 22 km/h
(13.7 mph) in second gear, and the pulling
force on first gear is as high as 1,400 kP. Avant
said the machine was small enough to work in
tight working conditions yet powerful enough
to lift over a tonne.
Avant’s loader range has also expanded with
a new R-series featuring two new models – the
R28 and R35. The R-series is different from
other Avant models in that the cab is located
on the back frame instead of the front. Jani
Käkelä, vice president Avant Finland, said,
“With the new models, we want to provide
the benefits of Avant loaders also to those
customers who are used to driving the loader
with the cab located on the back frame. “Our
aim is that the R-series driving experience
should be similar to a typical Avant loader.”
The new models are based on the existing
Avant 528 and 635 models. “You can really
notice the driving benefits of R-series in small
spaces and tight corridors,” said Mr Käkelä.
“Although the turning circle is itself exactly
the same as the familiar sibling Avant models,
the new R-series loaders are easier to reverse
in tight spaces because the cab in these loaders
will not turn outside the tyre line.”
Size is also important for Yanmar’s three
machines in its skid-steer loader range – the
752, 903 and 903 Speed+ models – which are
described as very compact. The 752 is only 1.7
(5.6 ft) wide and 2.5 m (8.2 ft) long (without
the bucket) while the 903 and 903 Speed+ have
a width of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and a length of 2.6 m
(8.5 ft), again without the bucket.
The 752 and the 903 have operational
weights of 3,300 kg (7,260 lb) and 3,600 kg
(7,920 lb), nominal loads of 750 kg (1,650 lb)
and 900 kg (1,980 lb) and discharge heights
of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and 2.6 m (8.5 ft). They can
travel at 13 and 15 km/h (8.1 and 9.3 mph)
respectively, and the 903 Speed+ travels at 11
and 22 km/h (6.8 and 13.7 mph).
They are equipped with Yanmar diesel
engines of 44 and 51 kW (59 and 68 hp), and
Mustang has introduced its latest evolution of its
tracked loaders with the launch of the 3,900 kg
(8,605 lb) 1750RT NXT2 and 4,486 kg (9,890 lb)
2100RT NXT2. Both machines are powered by Tier
IV Interim/Stage 3A Yanmar diesel engines with
the smaller machine having 52.1 kW (69.9 hp) and
the larger 53.7 kW (72 hp) respectively. According
to the company, these new loaders provide
highly efficient tractive effort through a unique
management system that efficiently transfers
power into productive performance. Both feature
Mustang’s IdealTrax automatic track tensioning
system that the company says extends track life,
and simplifies track maintenance and servicing
requirements.
The Avant 640 is said to be small enough
to work in tight working conditions yet
powerful enough to lift over a tonne
Yanmar’s skid-steer loaders are described as
being very compact
The 260 and above use a vertical lift version
of the JCB Powerboom single arm that JCB
says provides maximum reach at full height,
while the 225 and 225T are radial lift and
provide maximum reach at the mid-point of
the lifting path.
The range also includes eight small platform
models. The 175, 190, 205 skid steers and the
190T and 205T compact track loaders are
vertical lift machines. The 135, 155 and 150T
models feature a radial lift design said to offer
improved digging. JCB said the machines were
At bauma, Hitachi launched
two new 8 tonne class short radius
excavators, the ZX85US-5 and ZX85USB-5,
designed for use on cramped urban projects
