Compared with the previous 980M and 982M powershift models, Cat says its new 980 and 982 wheel loaders are 10% more productive and lower maintenance costs by 20%.
Cat is also adding 980 XE and 982 XE models to the lineup, which feature a continuous variable transmission to increase fuel efficiency up to 35% and lower maintenance costs as much as 25% compared to the M series models.
Beyond the numbers Cat says what really sets these models apart from their predecessors is the now-standard technology. "We're going to redefine fully loaded," says Bryan Cherry, Cat global marketing consultant, medium wheel loaders.
For example, Cat's new Payload with Assist — providing an accurate weighing of bucket payloads — is now standard on all 980 and 982 loaders. The system also includes low lift weigh and manual tip-off functions. "This gives the operator real-time information on his display on how much he's moving with the bucket," says Scott Schmidtgall, Cat loader applicational specialist. "This helps prevent both over- and under-loading."
Also standard are the new Cat Autodig, aimed at automating bucket loading, and Auto Set Tires, which reduces tire slip, fuel burn and loading time. Using both Autodig and Auto Set Tires automates the complete bucket loading cycle to deliver high bucket fill factors, which Cat says can add up to 10% more productivity.
"During loading, Auto Set Tires puts weight on the front axle as you come into the pile so that you have the traction you need to efficiently load the bucket," Schmidtgall says. While offering an assist to more novice operators, Auto Set Tires can also aid veteran operators during the times when they may not be paying attention. "These guys know what they're doing but if they do get distracted or fatigued, this will take over and make sure they are being efficient in their cycles," Schmidtgall says.
The models also include Application Profiles, which allow operators to pre-set machine settings for frequent tasks. "Operators may be going from truck loading to stockpiling to a load-and-carry application," Schmidtgall says. "With a single touch of a button, this allows an operator to change the settings so the machine is set up the way he wants it for each application."
