Cat® Wheel Loader Technology and Advancements are Proving Useful on Today’s Farms and Ranches

Similar to our smartphones, computers and vehicles, machine technology is continually advancing. Many of the advancements on Cat® Wheel Loaders are especially helpful on the farm or ranch. However, it can be difficult to stay on top the latest features and technology while also managing all the moving parts of your operation. The following article highlights some of our wheel loader advancements that can help you save money and gain more time to tackle all the tasks that must get done each day.

Utilizing Kickouts and Production Measurement for Better Material Handling

Kickouts allow the operator to save lift and tilt positions and recall them with a simple motion of the joystick. Cat Wheel Loaders allow this to be done inside the cab and provide smooth, predictable loader arm movement.

Production measurement is a recent advancement available as an option on our 924K, 926M, 930K, 930M, 938K and 938M Wheel Loader models that helps you precisely measure how much material is loading into your bucket—a tool that is especially helpful when mixing feed rations. These features work hand-in-hand when loading feed wagons, making the process much simpler and more efficient and helping to eliminate wasted material.

Switch Tasks Easily with Quick Couplers

Cat Wheel Loaders are built to be used in several different applications. Whether it’s using a bucket to load a feed wagon or off-loading hay bales with a hay fork, a variety of Cat Wheel Loader attachments are needed to complete everyday tasks on the farm. Our loaders are equipped with advanced quick couplers. They allow you to switch tools in less than 30 seconds without having to exit the cab and also secure the attachment more tightly to the machine to reduce component wear.

Machine Operating Software Advancements Help You Manage Your Fleet

The display systems in our cabs serve as a vital tool not only for machine diagnostics but also for tracking fuel consumption. Cat secondary display systems have a four quadrant screen that allows you to track the overall average fuel consumption of the machine, time until the fuel tank is empty, real-time calculations of the amount of fuel being used per hour, as well as use a resettable job clock to track fuel usage per task.

If there are multiple employees operating a single wheel loader on your farm, our coded start technology allows you to track fuel consumption and system diagnostics based on the operator codes. Coded start systems are also equipped with a master code, enabling you to lock out certain features on the machine. For instance, performance mode can be deactivated on the machine, in which case operators must complete tasks in fuel-saving standard mode.

Emissions Technology: Maximize Uptime and Save Money

Cat patented emissions systems use state-of-the-art technology to reduce exhaust temperatures, minimizing accident and injury risk. The systems utilize a clean emissions module designed to require no operator interaction or disruption of work cycles, which increases machine uptime. It also cuts fuel consumption and maintenance expenses.

• Regeneration of our diesel particulate filter (DPF) occurs passively at a low temperature. Comparatively, some wheel loaders have to stop every 500 hours and be parked in a safe zone in order to regenerate due to the high temperatures created by the process—a task that takes about 45 minutes.
• Our DPF is designed to last the life of the engine without needing to be serviced. This increases uptime and can save owners up to $10,000 throughout the life of the machine. Comparatively, the emissions systems on many wheel loaders require the DPF to be taken out and serviced by a dealer every 3,500 to 5,000 hours, which could cost about $2,500 each time.
• With current Tier 4 emissions standards, if the valve lash gets out of adjustment, it can reduce the life of the DPF. Cat machines are equipped with hydraulic valve lash systems that self-adjust, eliminating the need for regular service intervals. Comparatively, many manufacturers engineer their wheel loaders with a mechanical lift system, which requires servicing every 2,000 hours to get the valve lash adjusted.

While the learning curve on new machine technology can be an obstacle at first, the end result is worth it: saving money and getting the work done faster so you can have more time to spend with your family and friends. To learn more about the latest Cat Wheel Loader technology that is becoming especially useful on today’s farms and ranches, contact your local Cat dealer.