Caterpillar unveils 3 F Series wheeled excavators with restyled exterior for improved comfort and safety

Updated Nov 23, 2015

Caterpillar’s new F Series wheeled excavators—the M314F, M316F and M322F—offer a redesigned cabin aimed at improving operator visibility and comfort.

The exterior features new designs for the three access steps and door handrails, optional heated mirrors, rain visor and light protectors. The cabin provides higher pressure, features a larger door with additional glass, a larger skylight and a new windshield with parallel wipers.

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A new tilting and height-adjustable steering wheel complements the addition of a tilting left-hand console for entering and exiting the cabin. Lighting features include a counterweight light (which assist the counterweight-mounted rearview camera), three cabin-mounted working lights as well as a boom light. All standard lights are now LEDs.

The F Series also makes use of a PIN-code anti-theft system that stores the last code entered before engine shutdown for a set period of time, making it a good option during short breaks in production.

To help cut down fatigue, operators can take advantage of an automatic system that locks the axle-oscillation function to set the service brakes, which keeps them from having to constantly press the brake pedal. The brake and axle locks are release when an operator again presses the travel pedal.

Cruise control is standard and can be activated by the monitor’s Quick-Access button. The monitor also allows an operator to quickly adjust the machines to personal preferences, such as matching settings for attachments. Also assisting with attachment changes from the cabin are quick coupler lines and circuits that can be used with the Cat Pin Grabber Coupler.

A new blade profile also is available that helps material roll in front the blade more easily, and the M316F and the M322F feature a blade that keeps parallel to the ground at any height.

Quick Specs

M314F
Engine: Cat C4.4 ACERT
Power: 141 hp
Operating weight: 31,658-35,164 lbs
Max speed: 23 mph

M316F
Engine: Cat C4.4 ACERT
Power: 141 hp
Operating weight: 33,973-38,559 lbs
Max speed: 21.7 mph

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M322F
Engine: Cat C7.1 ACERT
Power: 169 hp
Operating weight: 45,330-54,450 lbs
Max speed: 18.6 mph