Construction World August 2017

COVER STORY

CAT 426F2 designed to withstand TOUGHEST MARKET CONDITIONS

Caterpillar has been producing backhoe loaders for more than 35 years, from the A Series to the current F2 Series which combines reliability, power and a quality operator environment. The Cat 426F2 backhoe loader continues this tradition with a comfortable cab, superior hydraulic system, and Product Link™ connectivity for remote reporting of machine information. Barloworld Equipment, the Southern African dealer for Cat earthmoving equipment, is excited to be unveiling the 426F2 ‘in the iron’ to customers in South Africa in August. Operator comfort Productivity starts with the operator and the all new 426F2 cab design is more spacious, allowing the operator to move freely when turning from one mode to another and providing comfort and ease of operation. Excellent visibility is ensured with flat tinted glass and a curved front windscreen. Other cab features include additional storage space and easy-to-reach controls. Power train Versatility and productivity rely on consistent power. The 426F2 comes with a 68.5 kW Cat 3054C engine, a four cylinder four stroke engine with direct injection turbo. Axle and brakes The 426F2 has sealed and lubricated axles that save time with no daily maintenance requirements. The heavy duty rear axle features self-adjusting inboard boosted brakes as well as the ability to engage the 100% differential lock when required for maximum traction in poor ground conditions. Caterpillar will launch its 426F2 backhoe loader in August 2017 to complement the existing Cat F2 backhoe loader family.

All-wheel drive is engaged via a front console panel switch or by the brake pedal during all-wheel-braking operation. All-wheel drive can be engaged on the move, under load, in any gear and in forward or reverse. The drive shaft to the front axle comes with a drive shaft guard to protect critical components. Best in loading The 426F2 parallel lift loader boasts class leading lift capacities and breakout forces and the parallel lift loader arms offer excellent forward visibility. At an operating weight of 7 990 kg, the 426F2 is available with a 1,05 m 3 General Purpose Bucket with bolt-on teeth. Smart hydraulics A load sensing variable displacement pump allows the operator to maintain consistent control by matching the demand and power needed for an operation. Simply put, the hydraulic system provides power where needed, when needed. The pump design helps to keep fuel burn and hydraulic oil temperature low, as well as reducing component wear in the hydraulic system. Excavator style boom Caterpillar’s unique excavator-style boom outperforms straight boom designs. Whether the job requires getting close to the truck for loading or needs to dig over obstacles, the excavator-style boom outperforms the rest. Combine this with the load-sensing, flow sharing hydraulic system inherent in all Cat F2 backhoe loaders and the result is the best boom and stick combination in the industry. Swing and boom cushioning assists with material retention, allows smooth and precise operating, and reduces wear to components such as pins and bushings. Servicing made easy The 426F2 is easy to service, with grouped service points, maintenance free axles, fast and simple access via the hinged

cooling pack, and an air pre-cleaner, all minimising time spent on daily checks. The 426F2 also comes standard with Cat Product Link™, which can be activated and managed by customers to monitor machine hours and locations online. Customer support Barloworld Equipment partners with customers for optimal fleet management, from helping choose the right machines to preventative maintenance with genuine parts, as well as other services such as operator training. Customer Support Agreements (CSAs) can be individually tailored to suit customer requirements, from parts only to full preventive maintenance including oil sampling to check for wear. 

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2017