At bauma Munich 2019, Caterpillar is rolling out a wide range of equipment, technology and services that empower and encourage customers to ‘Rewrite the Rules’ of the jobsite. Advancing the Choose, Connect and Operate principles, the displays will provide customers with a wide choice of machines, the best connectivity for managing machines and the jobsite as well as the most advanced technologies to operate profitably, writes Munesu Shoko.
At this year’s bauma Munich, April 8-14, Caterpillar and its German dealer, Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH, will display a total of 64 machines, 20 of them new introductions – the largest number of products Caterpillar has ever introduced at bauma Munich at once. The Caterpillar display will occupy more than 9 000 m² in the main indoor exhibit in hall B6.
Speaking at the recent Caterpillar pre-bauma event held at the company’s Malaga Demonstration and Training Centre at the start of February, Corne Timmermans, global marketing director at Caterpillar, said the 20 new machines at bauma 2019 represent the largest new product introduction programme in Caterpillar’s history, supported by a research and development programme worth US$1,8-billion, invested in the past 10 years.
During the development phase, Caterpillar identified three major areas of focus – Choose, Connect and Operate – to empower customers with the right products and solutions in their quest to ‘Rewrite the Rules’ of the jobsite. “Thus, this year’s displays at bauma Munich will emphasise the renewed efficiencies and profitability that equipment users gain when partnering with Caterpillar,” says Timmermans.
“We would like to allow customers to choose the right solutions that suit their sites, applications and economic profiles. At the same time, we want to connect machines and jobsites through digital channels and services, while giving our customers products that allow them to operate with industry leading fuel efficiency and technology to maximise productivity,” explains Herwig Peschl, EAME industry sales director at Caterpillar.
Choose
Demonstrating the depth of machine choices are five new Cat Next Generation mini hydraulic excavators in the BCP line-up – the 301.5, 301.6, 301.7 CR, 301.8, 302 CR – designed to provide customers with the best performance, versatility, safety, operator convenience and affordability in the smallest possible packages for 1 to 2-t class machines. Industry-first standard features include joystick steering (stick steer) and a tilt-up canopy or cab, as well options such as air conditioning and expandable undercarriages.
“The Next Generation Cat mini excavators on display will be complemented by three new models in the 7 to 10-t category. The new models – the 308 CR VAB, 309 CR and 310 – provide a selection of basic configurations, allowing customers to choose the machine that works most efficiently in their applications, whether standard configuration, compact radius, or variable-angle boom,” explains Sam Mottram, Caterpillar’s global commercial manager for mini excavators.
Dr. Samantha Swanepoel, executive head: Marketing and Communications at Barloworld Equipment, the exclusive Caterpillar dealer for southern Africa, tells Capital Equipment News that Barloworld will be stocking the 302 CR, 307. S and 310 for its southern African customers. “However, all the other models in the range are available for special orders,” says Swanepoel.
The choice continues with Cat Next Generation excavators – the new 330 GC, 330 and 336 will be showcased. All the three models will be available for southern African customers from Barloworld Equipment. “The 330 and 336 are equipped with integrated Cat Connect Technology that can increase operating efficiency by up to 45%, compared with conventional grading operations, and can enhance fuel efficiency by as much as 20%, compared with predecessor models,” explains Swanepoel.
Further showcasing the wide choice approach are the new Next Generation Cat D6 dozer models, available in a broad range of configurations and updated technologies for greater versatility and performance. Of note will be Caterpillar’s launch of the new D6 XE, the world’s first high-drive electric drive dozer offering up to 35% better fuel efficiency than its D6T predecessor and the quick dirt-moving ability of constant power to the ground. For southern African customers wanting to own the high spec machine, Barloworld Equipment will take special orders. However, the Next Gen D6 model will be readily available from Barloworld Equipment.
Cat articulated trucks will be represented at bauma Munich by the completely redesigned 730, weighing 22% less than its predecessor, the 730C, yet retaining 98% of its predecessor’s capacity. The new truck features automatic control of traction, dumping and retarding, as well as the Caterpillar Stability Assist system. Available for southern Africa from Barloworld Equipment will be the new 730 and 745.
Connect
To ensure optimum efficiency, profitability and machine protection, equipment owners must be able to monitor the location and performance of their machine – anytime, anywhere. The Caterpillar display at bauma Munich will emphasise this essential capability. Cat LINK technology provides equipment owners a choice of options that best fit individual needs and budgets, ranging from simple machine monitoring to full-fleet tracking and management – all fully supported by Barloworld Equipment.
The Cat Product Link™ telematics system – which Barloworld Equipment facilitates – collects data from machine assets, any type, any brand, including, for example, asset location, engine on/off, work hours, fuel burn, and diagnostic-code alerts.
“One of our new connected technologies is the PL161 work tools tracker designed to track operating hours and location of work tools. For many customers the fleet of work tools represents a high value that needs to be managed and maintained for uptime,” explains Rogier Tonies, marketing manager, Work Tools at Caterpillar.
The PL161 offers frequent data updates, providing location of attachments across worksites. This reduces the number of lost attachments. It also tracks utilisation (actual attachment working time), and plans attachment maintenance and replacement cycles. The information is available to the owner via a secure website, Cat VisionLink, for full fleet management. Customers can track via smartphones with Cat App or on My.Cat.Com. Of note is that it can be mounted on any asset, brand and type.
Also, on display at bauma Munich will be recent examples of Caterpillar technology that further expand machine connectivity. The new, industry-first Cat App is designed to allow users remote access to telematics data – tracking machine hours, location, receiving diagnostic codes, and managing maintenance directly from their mobile phone without turning on their computer.
“With the operator ID feature, individual performance can be tracked and training opportunities identified. In addition, users can use their mobile phone as the digital key for starting select Next Generation Cat machines. Users can also find value in viewing telematics data and additional equipment management resources on the companion website: https://my.cat.com,” explains Peschl.
Also new is a suite of Cat Connect technologies that provides remote equipment diagnostics and software updates. Cat Remote Services includes two key offerings – Remote Troubleshoot (allows dealers to run diagnostic testing and pinpoint potential issues) and Remote Flash (allows dealers to remotely load current versions of on-board software). These technologies will be coming soon to selected machines in southern Africa through Barloworld Equipment.
Operate
Caterpillar machines and technologies on display at bauma 2019 are designed to help customers operate with industry leading fuel efficiency and technology to maximise productivity. For example, the new 320 GC and 330 excavators offer up to 25% less fuel consumption compared with their predecessors. The Next Generation D6 dozer offers up to 20% more fuel efficiency, while the D6 XE is up to 35% more fuel efficient than its predecessor, the D6T. This is significant in that fuel consumption accounts for up to 30% of jobsite costs.
“The New Generation Cat excavator range has the industry’s highest level of standard factory-equipped technology to boost productivity. Integrated Cat Connect Technology increases operating efficiency by up to 45% over traditional grading operations,” explains Julien Roux, EAME product & application manager for excavators at Caterpillar.
“The standard Cat Grade with 2D system provides guidance for depth, slope, and horizontal distance to grade through the standard touchscreen monitor, making operators more accurate. The system is readily upgradable to Cat Grade with Advanced 2D or Cat Grade with 3D.”
Meanwhile, standard Grade Assist automates boom, stick, and bucket movements so operators can effortlessly stay on grade with single-lever digging. Cat Payload delivers precise load targets and increased loading efficiency with on-the-go weighing and real-time payload estimates without swinging to prevent truck over/underloading.
The E-fence feature prevents the excavator from moving outside operator-defined set points – particularly useful when working beneath structures or near traffic. Cat LINK™ hardware and software connect jobsites to the office and provide customers with machine-critical operating information.
Meanwhile, the Next Generation D6 dozer is powered by a 4-speed full automatic transmission that provides increased productivity and up to 20% better fuel efficiency versus its 3-speed predecessor.
“The fully automatic D6 reduces momentary hesitation when the traditional machine shifts, so more momentum and drawbar power are maintained through the entire push. Caterpillar engineers designed the auto shift to work up and down the entire working range, so power to the ground and fuel consumption are optimised for a greater percentage of the time. An added gear between first and second ensures more seamless shifting,” explains Jean-François Villard, product application specialist for dozers at Caterpillar.
Both powertrains on the D6 range offer unprecedented ease of operation. The operator simply sets the ground speed and the dozer continuously optimises for maximum power and efficiency based on load. With electric drive, there are no gears to shift. The fully automatic 4-speed power train optimises the transmission without the operator having to worry about shifting.
With Caterpillar’s understanding that operators have a 30% influence on jobsite costs, the OEM is investing in training programmes, as well as reward, recognition and incentive programmes for operators. Locally Barloworld Equipment trains operators from all over southern Africa through its Caterpillar Certified Operator Training Academy.
Peschl says operator training is of great importance “Skilled operators use 10-12% less fuel per day, while they work five to six times faster than their unskilled counterparts. A skilled operator also reduces wear and tear on engines, transmission, tyres and undercarriage, while enhancing overall jobsite safety,” concludes Peschl.
