Equipment Roundup: Deere hi-cap SSL/CTL LM90 buckets; DOJ sues FCA over emissions; JLG H800AJ boom lift; New Deere loader buckets; Cat-branded mobile accessories

Updated May 31, 2017
Field

John Deere intros LM90 high-capacity bucket for skid steers, CTLs

John Deere has introduced a new bucket for skid steers (SSLs) and compact track loaders (CTLs) featuring a high-back, high-capacity design.

Deere says the new Light Material High-Capacity Bucket (LM90) is designed “to take advantage of the improved performance capabilities and boom design” of its G-Series SSLs and CTLs and can handle light materials such as snow and mulch in large quantities.

The company says the buckets “significantly” reduce cycle times versus smaller buckets. Deere product marketing manager Gregg Zupancic says the buckets make SSLs and CTLs “capable of working just as hard as a larger piece of equipment.”

Read the full story here.

 

DOJ sues FCA over Ram, Jeep diesel emissions

The U.S. Department of Justice today filed a civil lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over alleged violations of federal diesel emissions regulations.

FCA has faced these allegations since January when the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board accused the automaker of installing undisclosed engine management software that led to increased nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) in 2014-2016 Ram 1500 pickups and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs equipped with a 3-liter EcoDiesel engine.

The EPA drew comparisons between FCA’s alleged violations and Volkswagen, which is still recovering from emissions violations of its own. According to a report from The Detroit News, DOJ officials say that the vehicles in question “meet emissions standards in the laboratory and during standard EPA testing, but during certain normal on-road driving emit oxides of nitrogen…that are much higher than the EPA-complaint level.”

Read the full story here.

 

JLG marks 20 years of hybrids with debut of H800AJ boom lift

Now in its 20th year of hybrid technology, JLG will release the H800AJ, an 80-foot hybrid boom lift designed to reduce emissions, noise and fuel consumption.

The machine, which will be available in late 2017, is based on JLG’s standard 800AJ articulating boom. The main difference between the machines is the electric motor/generator engine that powers the H800AJ. The hybrid’s Tier 4 Final engine can run exclusively in electric mode through its battery pack located in the counterweight. The batteries are charged on demand by the machine’s generator during operation.

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The platform can rise to 80 feet and hold 500 pounds. It comes standard with JLG’s SkyGuard sensor that stops and then reverses most functions in use should the platform hit a force of 50 pounds or more. The standard jib can rise for additional reach independent of the main boom.

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John Deere launches enhanced production loader buckets in 30 configurations

John Deere has introduced 30 wheel loader bucket configuration options aimed at boosting production and improving material retention.

Designed for the 744K-II, 824K-II and 844K-III wheel loaders, Deere says the new enhanced production series buckets boast improvements to loading, visibility, serviceability and bucket life.

The buckets feature an updated design with curved profile side cutters which Deere says improve material retention while allowing for better bucket fill of loose material. Narrow spill guards allow for better visibility to the load. Deere says that in allowing the operator to see how full the bucket is more quickly, this improvement alone reduces loading time, fuel consumption, wear and tear through the number of loads on the machine, and protects the machine’s linkage.

Read the full story here.

 

Cat-branded Bluetooth speakers, portable chargers anchor new mobile accessory lineup

Looking to expand the company’s brand power even further into the market for smartphones and mobile accessories, Caterpillar has agreed to license its brand to a new product lineup that will include Bluetooth speakers, chargers and cables.

Cat is no stranger to mobile technology. In addition to selling a line of smartphone cases, screen protectors and mounts, the company also licenses its brand to Bullitt Group which manufactures a line of Cat smartphones including the impressive, thermal-camera packing S60.

Those products are all sold at catphones.com. This new accessory lineup, through a licensing deal with Aries Manufacturing, at least initially will be sold at catmobileaccessories.com. The two companies are also seeking out other retail partnerships through the website.

Read the full story here.