Capital Equipment News February 2020

GRADERS

The Cat 150 AWD’s all-wheel drive system assists with traction and manoeuvring, allowing the machine to work in any environment.

Setting new grading standards

New motor grader launches from SDLG and Caterpillar usher in new grading standards with a host of features that speak directly to increased productivity, operator comfort and ease of service, to help maximise return on investment. By Munesu Shoko .

I n today’s machine developments, leading origi- nal equipment manufacturers distinguish them- selves by placing “the voice of the customer” at the centre of their innovations. An area that has significantly seen vast innovation in line with customer requirements over the years has been the motor grader market. Of significant interest to the customer has been the simplification of operation, op- erator comfort and ease of service – key parameters that have a huge influence on overall productivity and, ultimately, quick return on investment. Two new motor grader launches from SDLG and Caterpillar are true cases in point. Caterpillar is using the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG – to be held in Las Vegas from 10-14 March 2020 – to showcase its new 150 AWD motor grader. The new model’s major talking point is its all-wheel drive system, which

assists with traction and manoeuvring, allowing the machine to work in any environment. Latest from SDLG is the G9290, which marks the Chinese OEM’s entrance into the heavy-duty motor grader market. With a base operating weight of 22,9 t and a 14” wide blade as standard, the productivity of blade down force and blade pull is said to make the SDLG G9290 a strong contender in its size class. Cat 150 AWD Efficiency is one of the key design focus areas of the new Cat 150 AWD. A case in point is the Eco mode, which delivers up to 10% greater fuel efficiency without productivity loss, and owning and operating costs are reduced via new filters and longer service intervals. The new mastless 3D Cat GRADE control system unleashes the potential of the moldboard to give it

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS FEBRUARY 2020