Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/348131
I DA U N I V E R S A L J u l y -Au g u s t 2 0 1 4 21 Caterpillar D Series Track Loaders Designed from Scratch NUTS & BOLTS continued from page 19 e compact track loader is becoming a more popular choice for farms as pro- ducers look for ways to be more effi cient at work. e track design off ers greater versatility in a lot of situations, and the new Caterpillar D Series is designed to off er a better user experience, more cab comfort and improved visibility. " ese are Tier 4 Final machines," says Rich Harms, BCP marketing repre- sentative. " ey use a diesel particulate fi lter to meet fi nal emission standards; there's no diesel exhaust fl uid for this system." at's an achievement even at this lower horsepower rating. e new D series includes six new models which replace the B3, C and C3 series prede- cessors. ey range in rated operating capacity - 50 percent tipping load - from 2,800-lb. to 4,650 lb. Mid-size frame models as narrow as 66 inches are the 257D Multi Terrain Loader and the 259 D Compact Track Loader. Larger frame models include the 277D and 287D MTL and the 279D and 289D CTL. Tier 4 fi nal power comes from an electronically controlled 3.3 liter engine. e Cat 3.3B engine provides 74 hp with 8 percent more torque and 6 percent improved fuel economy compared to the previous models. For Harms, and his colleague, Joel Ongert, also with Cat BCP, the key is operator comfort and visibility. " ere's an advanced display option for the line that comes with a rear view camera," Ongert says. "In the past, customers had been adding the camera as an a er- market item." at optional integrated camera is a fi rst for the industry. e cab of the new line got plenty of design attention. For example, there are three seat options - basic, air-ride with a higher back and even a heated seat option. And all air-suspension seats feature inde- pendent arm bar/joystick control adjust- ments so the machine can be confi gured for a wider range of operator sizes. e standard control monitor off ers single-code security to prevent the . And the Advanced Display Control expands the number of security codes to 50 and can store and recall operator preferences for each one. ose preferences include language, gauge style, ride-control, creep speed, top speed and other features. is allows the machine to be tailored to specifi c operator preferences or experience levels. And that display expands the diagnostics capability too. For the optional cab there's a larger fi ve-inch display that provides he opera- tor a lot more information during use of the machine. " e user can set the display to show what they need to see during operation," Harms says. at fresh-start approach created a roomier cab design, but there are also improvements to everything from the chassis design to hydraulics. e tough working conditions that loaders encoun- ter was also part of the design - especially with a new diesel particulate fi lter in operation. at unit can get hot, but it's away from the cab and engine checks and maintenance points are designed away from those heat-producing areas. As for maintenance, the cooling sys- tem was designed for easy cleaning. A side-by-side placement design is easier to reach than a system with stacked com- ponents. Even drain lines are strategi- cally positioned. " ese are details that count, espe- cially to an agriculture customer who does a lot of his own maintenance," Ongert notes. ● http://farmindustrynews.com, June 3, 2014 Nuts & Bolts continued on page 27