Cat announces upgrades for M series loaders

Update package includes better emissions control, new seats and suspension for improved comfort and added machine configurations

Caterpillar has announced a series of refinements on its M series medium wheel loaders (950M to 982M) aimed at providing lower operating costs and improving operator comfort.

Model year 2019 M series loaders will feature engines with more advanced emissions control to meet the latest global emission standards; new seats in the cab; added machine configurations; expanded productivity measurement tools; remote software update capability; and refinements in ground engaging tool and coupler systems.

Engine and emissions control

The new engines now meet U.S EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards, and had the engine oil, engine oil filter and hydraulic oil filter change intervals extended from 500 hours to 1000 hours.

Based on estimated comparisons of total engine and hydraulic fluids, filters, and sampling costs during a 6000-hour period, costs can be potentially reduced by 16 to 23 percent, according to Caterpillar. For Tier 3 equivalent models, extended intervals apply only to hydraulic filters.

Seats and suspension

There are three trim levels in Cat’s new seat and suspension package—comfort, deluxe, and premium plus—all with high-visibility, seat-adjustment controls, as well as ride stiffness adjustments.

A new "breakthrough" suspension for deluxe and premium plus trim levels increases dampening at the top and bottom of seat travel, providing additional suspension stability and avoiding hard stops at travel limits.

The ride stiffness of the seat suspension is adjustable to different settings, allowing operators to tailor seat dampening to individual preferences and to the application. This feature was previously included only with EH steering (joystick and wheel), but with the 2019 product update, it is now included with HMU steering wheel units with deluxe and premium plus seats.

New 982M configurations

New configurations in the medium wheel loader line-up include the 982M Forestry Machine and the 982M High Lift.

The new 982M Forestry Machine is capable of lifting 12,700 kg with a pin-on mill yard grapple. Changes from the standard 982M include a larger tilt cylinder, upgraded rear frame, and heavier counterweight. Third party logging grapples and woodchip buckets are available.

The 982M High Lift, compared with the standard lift version, increases dump clearance under the bucket pin from 4743 to 5143 mm. Configuration changes from the standard 982M include a new lift arm, new tilt cylinder, new tilt link, and the counterweight from the 982M Aggregate Handler.

Payload management

A new web-based application - Cat Advanced Productivity is available on the new M series loaders used to visualise machine production-related data and complements Cat PAYLOAD and Cat Production Measurement 2.0. The tool is accessed via VisionLink and includes a user-customisable report dashboard, cycle-by-cycle downloadable data, and a list of features for truck and material identification lists.

Other key features include a new mobile-friendly user interface, time series data, multiple asset comparison, fleet or individual asset key-process-indicator target settings, and support for multiple machine types.

Remote flash support

Remote flash support allows dealers to push software update files to the customer's machine and authorises the user to initiate installation via the dealer service portal.

Any authorised user with CWS (Caterpillar Corporate Web Security ID) and a mobile device can initiate flash, which occurs in 30 minutes from initiation to completion.

Advansys GET

The Advansys ground-engaging-tool system included in the product update is a Cat tip system that gives less drag and higher productivity.

The new tip shapes place wear-resistant material in the most vulnerable areas, resulting in significantly longer service life.

A stronger adapter nose results in up to 50 per cent less stress, Cat said, while an improved adapter-nose geometry reduces sliding wear on adapter surfaces.

The improved tip shapes shadow the adapter straps and welds for longer adapter life.

A new universal coupler is also now available for models 966M to 972M. The new coupler eliminates width interference with multiple tools and a reduced offset increases breakout force by four per cent.

New LED and Halogen work and roading light packages increase safety when working in dark conditions.