Cat 352 excavator built for the big jobs

Caterpillar has added the 352 hydraulic excavator to its 50-tonne class stable, featuring a range of options and technology for increased productivity.

“Built for big jobs, the 352 delivers unmatched performance in its size class,” said Brian Abbott, Caterpillar global product manager for large hydraulic excavators.

“It can be equipped with high-capacity buckets to dig and load tons of material in fewer passes or large hammers to work in demanding quarry applications.”

An engine producing 443hp and an electrohydraulic system allows the excavator to efficiently power through difficult materials, Caterpillar said.

An auto dig boost feature is available to increase bucket penetration by eight per cent when encountering resistance in the cut, while an auto heavy lift function increases lift capacity by eight per cent, which comes in handy when picking up heavy loads like sandboxes and pipe, Caterpillar said.

There are three engine modes available to match excavator power to the demands of the job. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions to lower fuel consumption, while Power mode delivers maximum power to meet the most demanding tasks. Eco mode reduces engine speed to a constant 1500rpm to minimise fuel consumption.

The Cat 352 offers a choice of fixed or variable gauge undercarriage. The variable gauge undercarriage retracts to a 2390mm width, making it easier to transport. When expanded, it is 150mm wider than the fixed gauge undercarriage for greater stability. 

Different cab trim level options are available. The Deluxe cab option comes with a heated air-suspension seat while the Premium cab option comes with a heated and ventilated air-suspension seat. Both have a tilt-up left-hand console for easier access in and out of the machine. Optional Cat Stick Steer makes for easy maneuvering through one-hand operation and includes cruise control.

The 352 features keyless pushbutton start with an available Bluetooth® key fob. Engine ignition can also be done through an Operator ID passcode that also lets operators quickly save and restore joystick button, response, and individual pattern preferences.

A high-resolution touchscreen monitor offers quick navigation through machine controls and provides easy access to the digital operator’s manual.

The Cat 352 comes standard with Cat Grade technology that the company claims boosts excavator productivity by up to 45 per cent. Cat 2D Grade indicates depth and slope on the in-cab monitor with auditory alerts, while standard Cat Grade Assist allows the excavator to stay on grade with single-lever digging.

Upgrading to Cat Grade with Advanced 2D or Grade with 3D offers the ability to create and edit designs and efficiently complete more complex grading tasks. All Cat Grade systems are compatible with radios and base stations from top third-party technology suppliers.

Operators can store up to four depth and slope offsets to quickly cut to grade without a grade checker, Caterpillar adds.

Cat Payload on-board weighing provides real-time weight estimates to help operators achieve precise payload targets. It can be combined with VisionLink to remotely manage production targets.

Cat Swing Assist automatically stops excavator swing at operator-defined setpoints in truck loading and trenching applications, increasing safety and conserving fuel. Auto hammer stop warns operators after 15 seconds of continuous firing and then shuts off the hammer after 30 seconds to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

Remote troubleshoot and remote flash functions allow dealers to diagnose fault codes or update operating software without having to physically travel to job sites. Product Link collects vital machine operating information like location, hours, fuel usage, idle time, maintenance alerts, diagnostic codes, and machine health and shares it through web and mobile applications.

Being a heavy-duty excavator, the Cat 352 has been designed to offer high ambient temperature capability of 52° C, cold-start capability at -18° C and can work at up to 4500m above sea level, Caterpillar said.

The auto hydraulic warmup gets the machine to work faster in cold temperatures and helps prolong the life of machine components.

The air intake filter with pre-cleaner features high dust capacity, and a hydraulic fan cools the engine on demand to reduce fuel consumption. Long-life fuel, oil, and air filters combine with synchronized 1000-hour oil and fuel filter service intervals to reduce downtime.

Cat 336 digs deep

New next-gen Cat mini hydraulic excavators unveiled

Cat M320 wheeled excavator breaks cover