Pit & Quarry, January 2018
WHEEL LOADERS At a press event in Peoria Illinois and open house at Tower Rock near St Louis Caterpillar debuted a new wheel loader and more BY DARREN CONSTANTINO aterpillar introduced a variety of new equipment including the 988K XE electric drive wheel loader next generation excavators C Yellowmark brand budget replacement parts and the companys first ever utility vehicles The new Cat 988K XE is the first wheel loader offered by Caterpillar with an electric drive system The company says it delivers 25 percent greater overall efficiency and up to 10 percent more productivity in load and carry applications than its standard 988K model The new loader offers a range of bucket capacities from 62 to 17 cu yd Standard and high lift payload for the loader reaches 125 tons when working with face material and 16 tons with loose material Advansys Series ground engaging tools protect bucket components and reduce operating costs says the company so operations can get the most out of machine performance The 988K XE is performance matched to offer efficient three pass loading of the 426 ton Cat 770G and four pass loading of the 51 ton Cat 772 Its high lift configuration delivers five pass loading of the 61 ton Cat 773G and six pass loading of the 705 ton Cat 775G Slight changes inside the cab of the new 988K XE provide operators with the familiar functions and feel of the 988K However Cat says operators will experience improved handling smoothness and ease of operation The new loader offers a single speed range so the machine efficiently operates without the need for gear shifting New virtual gears help to control machine ground speed and deliver smooth direction shifts Remote data monitoring is provided through VisionLink so personnel can stay informed of critical machine operating data Fuel usage payload summaries scheduled service reminders fault code alerts and various productivity reports are available to help improve machine management Additionally the onboard Vital Information Management System provides the operator with operating data such as real time fuel consumption and fuel efficiency via an interactive touchscreen display The new loader is equipped with a host of technology solutions to increase 46 PIT QUARRY January 2018 pitandquarry com PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARREN CONSTANTINO LEFT CATERPILLAR RIGHT ELECTRIC DRIVE Caterpillars new 988K XE is the companys first electric drive wheel loader Cat CEO Jim Umpleby speaks to the media at the debut of the 988K XE wheel loader
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