Caterpillar recently announced a range of new Cat® attachments available for backhoe loaders and mini excavators, increasing application versatility for these machines. Rugged and reliable, the new models span the range of demolition and sorting grapples, multipurpose grapples for Cat Tiltrotators, vibratory compactor plates and cold planers.
Expanded demolition and sorting grapples
Expanding the Cat Demolition and Sorting Grapple line, the new G306 and G308 models are specifically designed for 5- to 6-ton and 7- to 10-ton mini hydraulic excavators respectively. These new models excel in waste, recycling and heavy-duty material handling applications where precise material placement is required. With open and close functions controlled by the machine’s first auxiliary function and rotation head handled by the second, these grapples deliver fast and productive material handling with 360-degrees of bidirectional rotation.
A slim design makes it easier to get into tight spaces, and material capacities range from 160 l (0.21 yd3) with the G306 to 240 l (0.31 yd3) for the G308. Vertical perforated shelves offer high wear resistance, positive penetration, good load visibility and easy positioning, while the oversized heavy-duty cylinder with load holding valve delivers constant clamping force, even when maneuvering the grapple or machine. Providing reliable operation with low maintenance intervals, the swing bearing features a single-ball heavy-duty, internally driven design. For longer life, the weld-on base edge design is made of HB500 Brinell equivalent material and bolt-on cutting edge (BOCE) from high-strength, abrasion-resistant steel.
A first for Cat Tiltrotators
The first hydraulic attachment expansion for the Cat Tiltrotator (TRS) product family, the new Cat G206 and G208 Multi-Purpose Grapples expands the grapple technology in combination with the TRS6 and TRS8 models for 5- to 10-ton mini hydraulic excavators. These models allow maximum maneuverability with TRS attachments, and an integrated bracket provides minimal offset to optimize performance of grapple functionality.
With the G206 sized for 5- to 6-ton excavators and the G208 for 7- to 10-ton models, these multi-purpose grapples deliver 14.5-kN (3,260-lbf) and 18.4-kN (4,136-lbf) maximum closing force respectively. An integrated cylinder load holding valve maintains grapple closing pressure with no leakage, while the hard-mounted piston accumulator maintains grapple arm closing forces with shifting loads. Optimal routing of the integrated jumper lines and hoses safeguards against damage and dirt infiltration for long-term reliability.
The grapple design is optimally matched to the tilt rotate system, and the rotation of the TRS allows for quick and easy material engagement. To avoid any bending torques in radial direction, these grapples feature a welded box structure. With grapple arms and arm edges built with AR450 steel, the arm offers high abrasion resistance for longer wear in extreme conditions.
Performance-matched vibratory compactor plates
Caterpillar expands its Cat Vibratory Plate Compactor line with the new CVP28 and CVP55 models and relaunches its CVP16 and CVP40 compactors with new design enhancements. Well suited for the compaction of soil, sand, gravel and asphalt, the compactors’ flexibility delivers lower investment and maintenance costs for contractors engaging in residential, commercial and industrial work.
The Cat CVP range is performance-matched to Cat machines, covering all backhoe loaders and excavators ranging from the Cat 302.7 to the 313. They offer compaction widths from 304.8 mm (12 in) to 660.4 mm (26 in) and compact areas ranging from 0.19 m2 (2 ft2) to 0.53 m2 (5.7 ft2) at vibration frequencies from 33.3 to 40 Hz (2,000 to 2,400 vpm). Delivering best-in-class performance, optimize compaction frequency combines with force to drive material particles close together for solid, stable compaction.
Their heavy-duty steel frame delivers maximum power to the ground. Rubber mounts isolate vibrations from the compactor attachment, minimizing vibration feedback to the rest of the machine. The high efficiency gear-type hydro motor is vibration driven for consistent, reliable power. The design’s access cutouts are laser cut for easy access to hardware when mounting the top bracket. The compactor is simplified with standard auxiliary hydraulics.
Expanding the flexibility of the CVP range, post and plate driver attachments bolt to the bottom of the CVP28 for specialized applications. All models can be equipped with a backfill blade to help spread out material in the ditch prior to compaction, and a swivel mount rotates 90 degrees in each direction to minimize machine movements.
Milling precision
Designed for small paving jobs in residential and commercial applications, new Cat Cold Planers deliver economical restoration of asphalt and concrete surfaces. They efficiently mill imperfections prior to resurfacing and remove deteriorated pavement and traffic lane stripes.
Offering a working width of 350 mm (13.8 in) and 120-mm (5-in) maximum milling depth, the new PC35 is designed for operation with side-shift backhoe loaders and 5- to 6-ton mini hydraulic excavators. The new Cat PC45 replaces the PC404 with its 450-mm (17.7-in) cutting width and 150-mm (6-in) cutting depth and is ideal for use with backhoe loaders and extends the planer’s compatibility to 7- to 10-ton mini hydraulic excavators.
The cold planers come standard with a cut depth indicator, giving the operator a quick view of set depth. Delivering consistent depth control, milling depth is manually adjusted and locked in. Their heavy-duty gear motor provides high torque and efficiency across the speed range, while a hydraulic relief valve limits pressure to the motor for increased longevity. Helping to maximize productivity, a standard pressure gauge provides feedback to the operator to allow for ground speed adjustments. Simplifying operation, the PC35 and PC45 reuse existing hammer lines and are equipped with drum center and width indicators.
More details on Cat Demolition and Sorting Grapple, Tiltortator Multi-purpose Grapple, Vibratory Plate Compactor and Cold Planer attachments can be found by contacting a Cat dealer or visiting https://www.cat.com.
