Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/426956
EquipmentWorld.com | December 2014 51 C aterpillar added a second mod- el to its line of vocationally- focused work trucks with the unveiling of the Class 8 CT681 truck at the company's Edwards Proving Grounds outside of Peoria, Illinois. Caterpillar first previewed the new truck at ConExpo- Con/Agg in Las Vegas earlier this year, and the Edwards launch provided enhanced details on the new truck, which is now in full production. The CT681 borrows heav- ily from the existing CT660 model, but features a host of enhancements designed specifically for tough voca- tional applications such as snowplow, mixer, dump and super dump. The truck features a set-forward front axle for a longer wheelbase with a 114-inch BBC measurement. Caterpillar's global on-high- way product manager Dave Schmitz says this configura- tion offers better ride qual- ity on both long hauls and rough dirt roads while giving body-builders more flexibility and room for behind-the-cab installations. Power is provided by Cat's CT Series vocational truck engine family, with several ratings from 365 to 430 horsepower available. Schmitz says Cat's truck engine philosophy is "still evolving," but says addi- tional, higher horsepower ratings will appear in the near future. It is possible this could be as early as next year, coin- ciding with the launch of the next Caterpillar truck, the CT680, which Schmitz says will be a stylistic departure from the CT660 and CT681. The CT681 has already made a move away from the CT660 in terms of appear- ance. The new truck fea- tures a more robust, spartan look. The wheel loader- inspired, brushed aluminum grill guard and trim that give the CT660 such as distinctive look have been abandoned on the CT681. Schmitz says this move was necessary to accommodate the CT681's new, higher, radiator con- figuration and simplify front engine PTO access. The CT681's engine can be spec'd with Cat's pro- prietary CX31 automatic transmission. Schmitz says that today, more than half of all new Cat trucks are rolling off the factory floor with the CX31 AMT, which features a high power-to-weight ratio, full power shifting and quick acceleration. The transmission has been fully integrated with the CT Engine series to deliver opti- mal fuel economy or power to meet any type of terrain or road conditions. trucks | by Jack Roberts | JRoberts@randallreilly.com Caterpillar's CT681 vocational look has new look, better ride