Caterpillar Puts Skid Steers to Work, Adds Six Families of Tools to Roster

Caterpillar has announced six new families of performance-matched work tools to further expand the application range of all Caterpillar skid steer loaders. Designed specifically for Cat skid steer loaders, these new work tools provide additional versatility and productivity capabilities for a variety of specialized jobs. Work tools are a critical purchase or rental decision for most skid steer loader customers and have earned skid steer loaders their reputation for versatility. The new Caterpillar work tools include: Material Handling Arm The Caterpillar material handling arm is a heavy-duty design for industrial, construction and agricultural applications to pick up, load and carry a variety of materials and equipment in virtually any application. Features include: 907 kilogram (2,000 lb.) rated structural capacity, 2.1-meter (7 ft.) maximum reach with the primary lift point of 1.6 meters (5.4 ft.) with the secondary lift point for heavier loads, single bent boom design, heavy-duty locking clasp that swivels a full 360 degrees and two storage compartments for chains and hooks. Utility Forks Caterpillar utility forks are designed for handling light materials in agricultural and landscaping applications. Primary uses include removal of compacted livestock waste, transport of small bales, loose straw/hay and trees/shrubs. The multi-tined design is available in two widths &#8212; 168 centimeters (66 in.) and 183 centimeters (72 in.). The hardened, pin-on fork tines are removable and replaceable for added flexibility. Utility Grapple Forks and Buckets Cat utility grapples are designed for handling a wide array of loose, light materials in agricultural and landscaping applications. Available in fork and bucket configurations, Cat Utility Grapples are available in two widths &#8212; 168 and 183 centimeters (66 and 72 in.). Produced from Cat utility forks and buckets, each shares a common full width, bolt-on grapple assembly that can be removed or added for increased flexibility. The wide jaw opening capability of the grapple assembly allows these work tools to handle light, irregularly shaped materials with ease. Angle Blades Caterpillar offers two sizes of angle blades for moving dirt, gravel, livestock waste and snow. The heavy-duty, high capacity design is available in 183- and 213-centimeter (72 and 84 in.) widths. Both blades feature two-way hydraulic blade articulation (30 degrees to the right or left of center), a blade locked for dozing and a spring-loaded blade trip feature when moving snow. Two adjustable/removable skid shoes offer blade control on hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt. Options include a bolt-on, non-metallic edge for concrete surfaces, a bolt-on top snow flap and bolt-on antennas for working in snow applications. SG16 Stump Grinder The new standard flow Caterpillar SG16 stump grinder offers good torque and cutting wheel speed to efficiently remove stumps in residential and commercial settings. The heavy-duty design incorporates a durable, direct-drive system that generates approximately 292 N (215 ft./lbs.) of torque at a maximum operating pressure of 3,300 psi. A variable speed, unidirectional high torque motor matches the standard flow auxiliary hydraulic output of all Caterpillar skid steer loaders. Cutting is accomplished with a heavy-duty 56-centimeter (22 in.) diameter cutting wheel with 32 bolt-on carbide teeth. Standard features include: electro-hydraulically adjustable cutting head, boom swing (70 degrees) and boom extension, plus adjustable stand feet. For more information, customers should contact their local Cat dealer. This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.