Caterpillar Takes 2.7- to three.5-tonne Mini-excavators to the Subsequent-gen Degree

Previous this week, Caterpillar introduced the most recent additions to its Subsequent Technology lineup with the advent of the 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR compact radius hydraulic mini-excavators, which incorporate “industry-first options” for the two.7- to three.5-tonne magnificence. Those logo new fashions change the 20-year-old 302.7 D, 15-year-old 303 E and 10-year-old 303.5 E2 designs.

The Subsequent Technology platform is designed to ship a constant operator enjoy right through the 1.5- to 10-tonne, with ordinary options corresponding to stick steer, cruise keep watch over, operator adjustable settings, tilt-up cover or cab and Bluetooth radio connection.

“Each Subsequent Gen type has those self same options and advantages,” says Greg Worley, Caterpillar marketplace skilled. “The commonality for our consumers and operators [means] they’re now not reinventing the wheel each and every time they transfer from device to device.”

The format of the cab is identical throughout fashions for ease of operation. “A large number of operators will hop more than one fashions right through the week – they could be in a 303.5 nowadays and a 310 the next day to come,” Worley feedback. “Now, we’ve made {that a} commonplace enjoy throughout all of the vary. If I will function a 336, I am lovely certain I will function this as it appears to be like precisely the similar.”

Extra Functions in a Compact Package deal

The brand new Subsequent Gen mini-excavators be offering standard- and long-stick configurations, with ordinary digging depths starting from 96.5 to 110.6 in., and lengthy stick digging depths extending from 104.3 to 122.4 in. Interchangeable counterweight applications permit device weight to be adapted to activity necessities. The “mild” counterweight possibility provides 221 lbs. to the device weight, whilst the “further” provides 551 lbs.

A regular dozer blade allows the machines to deal with backfilling and grading duties. It options considerable above- and below-grade trip and has an ordinary go with the flow serve as for simple cleanup. An perspective blade possibility on the 303.5 CR provides additional flexibility in backfilling programs.

The 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR include mounted undercarriage widths of 59.1, 61.0 and 70.1 in., respectively. The 302.7 additionally provides an expandable choice.

“A large figuring out issue for those [smaller] machines is get right of entry to – seeking to get right of entry to any individual’s yard, seeking to get at the aspect of a boulevard thru an alley,” says Mark Perkes, Caterpillar product utility specialist. “Something we’ve in this 302.7 that we now have by no means had in this measurement device ahead of is an expandable undercarriage.”

The expandable undercarriage lets in the observe to be hydraulically retracted to a width of 53.3 in. to suit thru gates and different confined get right of entry to spaces and increase to 70.1 in. for enhanced digging and lifting steadiness.

Energy and Efficiency

Design improvements to the 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR permit as much as 10% extra efficiency in trip and trenching in comparison to the predecessor fashions. Hydraulic gadget upgrades toughen lifting efficiency and cycle occasions, whilst customizable operator settings toughen potency.

The 302.7 CR and 303 CR are powered by way of a Cat C1.1 Turbo engine, whilst the 303.5 CR includes a Cat C1.7 engine. Each engines are rated at 23.6 internet hp, meet Tier 4 Ultimate emissions requirements and come with ordinary auto idle and auto engine shutdown to assist take care of gasoline potency.

Load-sensing hydraulics with a variable-displacement pump supplies as much as 26-gpm oil waft. Prime main-relief pressures coupled with waft price, generate the hydraulic capability for prime digging and lifting forces and extra environment friendly use of a spread of attachments. The usual auxiliary gadget, whole with quick-disconnect strains, supplies a collection of one-way, two-way or steady waft.

Two trip levels with speeds as much as 2.8 mph assist to facilitate shifting across the jobsite. Usual cruise keep watch over minimizes operator interplay when touring longer distances between paintings places.

Advanced Operator Enjoy

The brand new fashions include enhanced device safety choices, with each a passcode and a Bluetooth key get started to be had. The complex touchscreen possibility supplies intuitive device serve as keep watch over and simple tracking of important running parameters, together with gasoline stage, coolant temperature and upkeep information.

The proprietary Stick Steer Device is helping to simplify device keep watch over. “With all of the consumers we’ve talked to, [using Stick Steer and cruise control], they have been in a position to make use of mini-excavators in tactics they have by no means been in a position to ahead of,” Worley asserts. And on the contact of a button, the operator can transfer from standard lever/foot-pedal guidance controls to low-effort joystick operation. “You continue to have the normal keep watch over, so we are in a position to deal with everyone. We are making type of reasonable operators [into] higher operators, and in doing so, we aren’t hindering the knowledgeable operators available in the market as a result of they are able to nonetheless use the device how they would like and in reality get much more out of the device and turn into tremendous operators.”

The 302.7 CR, 303 CR and 303.5 CR include a collection of cover or a sealed and pressurized cab enclosure, which will also be provided with heating and/or air con and features a entrance window that slides upward to with ease retailer overhead.

Commonality Aids Serviceability

Expanded use of commonplace portions right through the Subsequent Technology excavator line, along side damage-resistant external development, assist to cut back portions stock funding and decrease restore prices. The lean-up cab design additionally provides simple get right of entry to to key elements for servicing.

“Something that consumers have advised us is that day by day upkeep, it’s a vital evil, but when we make it as simple as conceivable, it is a lot more more likely to get completed,” says Perkes. “Now we have endured that custom of constructing it extraordinarily simple to do your day by day upkeep on those new machines. All your day by day upkeep exams will also be completed by way of getting access to the aspect panels that may be independently opened and closed in any order, and you’ll be able to get flooring stage get right of entry to.”

Greater provider durations imply the excavators spend extra time at the activity and no more time within the workshop, as neatly.

Mixed, those options decrease general possession prices as much as 5% in comparison to earlier fashions.