Cat reveals new 18-tonne wheel loader

Caterpillar has lifted the lid off the newest member of its wheel loader family- the medium sized 950 GC with heavy duty frames, fuel efficient engines, a better cab design and most importantly, great value for money.

Caterpillar said the 950 GC is well-suited for stockpiling, load-and-carry work, hopper charging and truck loading. In can be fitted with other attachments such as a pallet fork for materials handling applications as well.

The 950 GC is powered by the Cat C7.1 engine that features a new fuel-injection system, offers an output of 170kW and emits equivalent to EU Stage IIIA emissions levels.

An Engine Idle Management System and an electronically controlled, hydraulically driven, variable-speed cooling fan serve to optimise fuel efficiency while lowering operating sound levels, as compared to previous models.

The 950 GC's electronically controlled countershaft, power-shift transmission with four-forward and three-reverse features high contact ratio gears to ensure longevity.

The transmission design incorporates an Electronic Long-Range Transmission (ELRT) control valve that allows directional shift changes at full-power. Heavy-duty axles with inboard-planetary final drives feature hydraulically actuated wet-disc brakes and specially heat-treated bevel gear. Limited-slip differentials are available as an option.

The 950 GC features Caterpillar’s Z-bar loader linkage designed to offer aggressive digging capabilities, high breakout forces, and lift and reach capability to handle a wide range of loading applications.

The 950 GC also offers a hinge pin height of 4188mm and a 3649mm loader arm clearance for easy loading of high sided trailers and charging of large hoppers. Also available with the 950GC is the Cat Performance Series buckets featuring a long floor and curved side sheets, enabling operators to attain 10 per cent higher bucket fill as compared to legacy designs.

The load-sensing hydraulic system provides only the hydraulic flow and pressure required to perform the task at hand, hence conserving engine power and saving fuel.

A variety of pin-on and coupler attachments are available for 950 GC applications.

The 950 GC’s cab is spacious and features a comfortable, cloth-covered, mechanical-suspension seat (air-suspension seat available as an option) and pilot-operated implement controls. Joystick implement control is also available. Joystick control includes directional-shift and downshift switches.

Cat said it has designed the 950 GC controls with the operator in mind. The interface panel display contains five analog-like gauges, colored indicator lights and an LCD screen all placed within clear view of the operator.

Ladders and integrated handrails are located on both sides of the machine and provide access to the cab or to service the engine. A large roof-to-floor flat glass front windscreen, optional rear-view camera and standard exterior mirrors with integrated spot mirrors provide exceptional visibility. The 950 GC comes standard with air conditioning.

Hydraulic and electrical service centers provide ground-level access to grouped service points. Large gull-wing side panels and a tilt-up rear grill provide easy access to filters and the machine’s Scheduled Oil Sampling ports, which can be used to collect circulating-oil samples for analysis.

The Cat Product Link telematics system also comes standard with the 950 GC which permits location tracking, geo-fencing, and remote monitoring of operating parameters, such as hours, fuel consumption, idle time, and event or fault codes.