Equipment Roundup: Cat intros 78L engine; Manitou launches its largest telehandler; Robot dog could become ultimate jobsite companion; LiuGong intros 9018F excavator; Equipment Operators Sound Off

VIDEO: Equipment Operators Sound Off on Green Operators, Machine Tech, Cat Operator Challenge

During the North American Finals of its Global Operator Challenge, Caterpillar invited four operators that took part in the competition to talk about their experiences competing. But the conversation also included their opinions on finding new operators, using machine control and other technology, and other issues that impact their jobs on a daily basis.

You can check out the full discussion in the video below.

 


 

LiuGong intros smallest of next-generation excavators to U.S.: 1.8-metric-ton 9018F

The smallest of LiuGong’s new F-series excavators has arrived in the United States for dealer review.

The 1.8-metric-ton 9018F features a retractable undercarriage width from 51 to 39 inches for working in tight spaces and for fitting through bay doors. It also features reduced tail swing. The narrower width, along with its low height of 7 feet 9 inches, makes it easier to transport, the company says.

The sixth-generation compact excavator runs on an 18-horsepower Yanmar engine. The hydraulic system is designed to save fuel by using 15 to 20 percent less engine power than its predecessor. The 14.5-gallon-per-minute proportional control valve is designed for better flow to attachments.

 

To read more, click here.


 

Spot the robot ‘dog’ could one day scan jobsites, do layouts and maintain machines if Trimble, Hilti, Boston Dynamics collaboration succeeds

People and dogs have enjoyed mutually beneficial relationships since the dawn of time. And now there’s a new breed of dog that’s eager to help you on your construction sites.

His name is Spot and he’s a Boston Dynamics robot. In this collaboration, Boston Dynamics engineered the carrier vehicle, while Trimble and Hilti provide a variety of “reality capture devices,” cameras, scanners and GPS receivers. Hilti is also collaborating with Trimble on the design for reality capture solutions and in the future may add support for work tools.

“Trimble has been involved in autonomous technologies for quite a long time,” says Aviad Almagor, senior director of mixed reality and BCI, Trimble. “In extending our autonomous vision we have been looking for partners to take this concept into construction sites, build environments, mining, and oil and gas facilities. Hilti shares this vision and Boston Dynamics has the sophisticated, terrain-agnostic robotics technology to support it.”

 

To read more, click here.

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Manitou launches MHT 12330, its largest telehandler with 73,000-lb. lift capacity

Manitou has unveiled its largest telehandler – one of the largest on the market – with its new MHT 12330, which has a lift capacity of 72,750 pounds.

That puts the telehandler at third-highest capacity in Equipment Word’s recently released 2019-2020 Spec Guide.

Manitou designed the telehandler for moving industrial equipment in areas where cranes can’t go. That includes infrastructure projects, mining, bridge construction, steel mills, oil refineries, quarries, power distribution and heavy hauling, the company says.

 

To read more, click here.


 

Cat debuts a new 78-liter, V16 engine for industrial use

You read that right.

Cranking out 2,100 horsepower and 8,275 foot-pounds of torque at 1,650 rpm, the 16-cylinder Cat 3516E is the latest and largest of the company’s dual-certified engines, meeting both the U.S. EPA and CARB Tier 4 Final and the EU Stage V emissions regulations.

 

To read more, click here.