6 minute read
MACHINERY
NEW CAT® 966 GC WHEEL LOADER DESIGNED FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE, EASY OPERATION, AND LOW OPERATION COSTS
The new Cat® 966 GC Wheel Loader is designed for reliable performance and long-term durability in a wide range of applications, as well as for various tasks in governmental applica tions that require a capable, versatile machine that fits the budget.
Power train/front linkage
The Cat C9.3B engine, with a maximum gross power rating of 239 kW (321 horsepower) and emitting equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIA emission levels, features a new common-rail fuel injection system designed for fuels available in emerg ing markets. An electronically controlled, hydraulically driven, variable speed cooling fan, combined with the Cat Engine Idle Management System, results in lower fuel consumption and reduced sound levels. An op tional automatic reversing fan assists in cleaning cooling cores in high-debris environments. A high-ambient cooling package and cold-start system also are available.
The new loader uses a 4F/4R electronically controlled, planetary powershift transmission, designed and built by Caterpillar, and featuring an electronic clutch, pressure-compen sated, single clutch shifting system for smooth, efficient gear changes in all operating situations.
The field-proven Caterpillar Z-bar loader linkage, with cast crossmem ber and tilt-lever, is designed to deliver both strong digging capabili ties and high breakout forces with Cat Performance Series buckets. The load-sensing implement hydraulic system continuously controls flow and pressure to precisely match re quirements of the operating situation, reducing both the load on the pump and overall fuel burn.
A range of available work tools in cludes a selection of Cat Performance Series buckets (general purpose, rock, and light material configurations), which incorporate a long floor, wide opening, and curved side plates. These design features enable operators of all experience levels to routinely attain 10 percent higher bucket-fill fac tors, compared with legacy designs, improving cycle times and reducing fuel consumption. The Cat Fusion™ quick coupler and controls also are available, and combined with optional third-function auxiliary hydraulics, the coupler allows use of a wide selection of Cat work tools.
OPERATOR ENVIRONMENT/ SERVICEABILITY
The intuitive, ergonomic 966 GC control system includes an operator interface display—with five analog-like gauges, color indicator lights, and an LCD screen—all within easy view of
the operator and designed to allow operators to quickly monitor machine systems. Low-effort, pilot-operated implement controls feature a remote kick down switch for best operating comfort.
Inclined ladders and integrated handrails are located on both sides of the machine to provide access to the cab and to the engine air filter—with safety in mind. A large roof-to-floor, distortion-free, flat glass front wind shield; standard rearview camera; and exterior mirrors with integrated spot mirrors provide all-around visibility. Air conditioning with 10 louvered vents is also a standard feature.
Ground level access to grouped service points reduces maintenance time, and large gull-wing engine hood side panels and a tilt-up rear grill provide unrestricted access to daily service points, greasing points, filters, and fluid-sampling ports. An optional Cat Autolube greasing system further reduces maintenance time.
Doosan Infracore Launches New XiteCloud Smart Construction Solution in South Korea
Doosan Infracore has launched XiteCloud, its new smart construction solution, in South Korea. XiteCloud is the first step towards the commercial ization of Concept-X, the company’s integrated unmanned and automated control solution, first demonstrated to the world in 2019.
XiteCloud maximizes productiv ity by incorporating complex 3D drone construction surveys and earthwork calculations into a cloud platform, allowing them to be com pleted in just one to two days. Following the successful introduction in South Korea, Doosan Infracore is intending to launch XiteCloud in international markets including Europe in the near future.
These events have opened the door to Doosan Infracore to further expand its business portfolio into the field of construction site manage ment, to complement its existing operations in manufacturing and sales of construction equipment.
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
With XiteCloud, a contractor can manage multiple tasks such as surveys, terrain analysis, and equip
ment operation and construction management on a single platform, thereby reducing construction costs and saving time while increasing work accuracy, which in turn raises productivity.
The solution even makes it possible to digitize earthwork site informa tion into three dimensions as well as to analyze rock formations. Since it is cloud-based, XiteCloud makes it easy for stakeholders, including contractors and clients, to join forces and manage the progress of a given project together.
Even on unfriendly terrain such as steep slopes and cliffs, XiteCloud calculates exact work volumes using advanced drone-based surveys. By analyzing vast amounts of field data quickly and accurately, XiteCloud completes construction surveys and earthwork calculations, which typically take as long as two weeks, within a day or two.
XiteCloud has already gone through the technology verification process at more than ten construction sites of large-scale apartment complexes and infrastructure facilities in Korea among others.
Doosan Infracore plans to expand XiteCloud’s applicability to largescale construction equipment by exploiting 5G mobile technology and telematics. Having successfully launched XiteCloud in the domestic market, Doosan Infracore now plans to start its overseas launch in the near future.
In November 2019, Doosan Infra core held a Concept-X demonstration event at its performance test site in Boryeong, Korea, and introduced the construction site of the future, which will be characterized by a high con centration of advanced unmanned and automated technologies.
“Concept-X is a comprehensive control solution that encompasses the entire construction process, including drone-based surveys, automatic analysis of topographi cal data, construction planning, and unmanned construction machinery and control centre operations,” said an executive of Doosan Infracore. “We will launch various solutions in stages even before the full-scale commercialization of Concept-X, with the launch of XiteCloud marking the very first step towards that goal.”
JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE:OSK] and leading global manufacturer of mobile elevat ing work platforms and telehandlers, announces a campaign in support of French manufacturing.
Since the development of the first AWP product by Delta Systems, JLG France has held its base in the south of France, between Bordeaux and Toulouse. A rural area, in the province of Entre-deux-Mers, home to JLG’s Toucan Series and more recently the DSP Stock Picker.
JLG France is focused not only on building equipment that keeps people safer at height, but also equipment that constructs and maintains our countries infrastructure, the roads and bridges
we travel, the homes and buildings in which we live and work. JLG supports the region and is committed to keeping French manufacturing strong.
“We know contractors have many options when it comes to which brand of equipment to put to work on their job sites”, says David Courtin, JLG’s Sales Director for Southern Europe and North Africa. “When you select quality; French made equipment like JLG, you not only support French jobs, you also help keep our local economies strong. So far customer feedback on the initiative has been really good, our customers appre ciate the campaign and recognize local industries need to be kept strong, now that we are emerging from Covid-19.”
Herve Richez, plant manager in Ton neins comments; “Where the Tonneins facility is unique is that engineering and manufacturing are united on one location. Engineering works hand in hand with manufacturing. During the product development process this has proven to be a major advantage. The design engineering department, where our prototypes are built is located next door to the general manufacturing plant. Meaning there is frequent discus sions between engineers and production, ensuring what we develop meets requirements for production. We foster a culture of frequent conversations, with the end-result of a solidly engi neered product.”
