New Cat excavator ‘delivering on sustainability’

Caterpillar’s 350 excavator

Caterpillar has released a new 47 tonne excavator, the Cat 350, which is said to consume up to 13% less fuel than the Cat 349 to lower costs, reduce CO2 emissions, and operate more sustainably.

The model, which will initially be launching in North America, also has three power mode options – Smart, Power, and Eco – to match the excavator to the job to further reduce fuel consumption.

“Caterpillar is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while helping our customers meet their climate-related objectives,” said Brian Abbott, Caterpillar global product manager for large hydraulic excavators. “The 350 is our latest example of delivering on that commitment.”

The new 350’s standard Cat 2D Grade system indicates depth and slope on the monitor with alerts to increase operating efficiency. Grade Assist helps the operator to stay on grade with single-lever digging. For truck loading and trenching applications, Swing Assist automatically stops excavator swing at operator-defined setpoints to consume less fuel.

Lift Assist helps to avoid machine tipping by letting the operator know the load is within safe working range limits. To safely work around obstructions, 2D E-Fence prevents the excavator from moving outside of operator-defined set points.

The new Cat 350 Excavator can be equipped with large buckets up to 3.2 m3

Cat Payload onboard weighing gives real-time weight estimates to achieve precise load targets and improve efficiency. When combined with VisionLink, Payload offers remote managing of production targets. Alternatively, the monitor’s USB port allows fleet managers to download up to 30 days of work for progress management without an internet connection or VisionLink subscription.

Available in-cab grade technology upgrades include Cat Grade with Advanced 2D for creating and editing grade designs via a second touchscreen monitor and Cat Grade with 3D to create and edit designs on that second monitor plus see the front linkage’s full range of motion.

Cat says that all of its Grade systems are compatible with radios and base stations from top third-party technology suppliers.