Product Snapshot: CVT Wheel Loader and Tandem Roller
Chicago Pneumatic is bringing its line of compact tandem asphalt rollers to the North American market. The AR90G is the smallest of the new lineup and, unlike the others, features a gasoline-fueled engine. The roller features vibration on the front drum, with drive control on both drums. The slightly larger, diesel-powered AR100 features dual-drum vibration.
Chicago Pneumatic; www.cp.com
The RT120 Ride-On Tractor is powered by a Tier-4 Final, 120-hp Deutz diesel engine. The tractor comes standard with a one-piece, rigid frame for greater durability. A tilt-frame configuration, which can dig vertical trenches on uneven ground, is also available. The tractor can accept a variety of hydrostatic attachments, including two types of trencher attachments, a vibratory plow, a combination trencher-and-plow, a backhoe, a reel carrier and two types of saw attachments. Dial-style cab controls are standard for attachments and ground speed.
Ditch Witch; www.ditchwitch.com
Caterpillar Inc. next year will expand its XE Advanced Powertrain to include two new medium wheel loaders: the 966M-XE and the 972M-XE. Introduced on the 966K two years ago, Cat's continuously variable transmission replaces a conventional torque convertor with a hydrostatic variator and electronic controls that conserve engine power. The result is a hybrid-like fuel-efficiency improvement of up to 25%, without the complexity and cost of a hybrid power train. When ENR drove the 972M-XE (pictured) this month at Caterpillar's training facility in Edwards, Ill., we found the XE transmission has greatly simplified operations�there are no gears to shift�and made digging into the pile go quickly. Under heavy loading, the variator is noisy but not annoyingly so. The XE is priced about 7% higher than the standard option but will pay back in less than three years, according to Cat. The 966M and 972M, which carry buckets sized at 3.25 cu yd and 3.75 cu yd, respectively, also can be had with conventional transmissions, which cost less than the XE but still deliver up to 10% better fuel efficiency than the outgoing models'. Both new M-Series models, which will be on display at CONEXPO-CONAGG 2014 next March in Las Vegas, are designed to meet U.S. Tier-4 Final emissions standards.
Caterpillar Inc.; www.cat.com
This week we look at some Tier-4 wheel loaders from Caterpillar with continuous-variable transmissions and a compact tandem wheel loader from Chicago Pneumatic.
Click here for the slide show.
For more on Caterpillar's Tier 4 Final plans, see our coverage here.
