Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/885126
October 2017 | EquipmentWorld.com 20 saw an increase to 96.4 horsepower from the previous model's 92 horsepower. The SVL90-2s also has a greater ROC (up 150 pounds to 3,200 at 35 percent of tipping load), higher flow volume (up from 33 gallons per min- ute to 40) and an increase in pressure to 3,555 psi. Five presets match flow to attachments. Takeuchi now has two large-frame vertical-lift CTLs, the TL10V2 and the TL12V2. Compared to the previous radial-lift model, the TL12V2 has 38 percent more oper- ating capacity (ROC of 4,107 pounds at 35 percent of tip- ping load) and a slight bump in horsepower (increased to 111.3 from 109.9). Both the TL12V2 and radial-lift TL12R2 have operator stations that are 4 inches wider, with a canopy or the optional cab. Controlling costs Dotto says site conditions and operator habits play a large role in reducing owning and operating costs. "Avoid op- eration on paved or concrete surfaces," he says. Also keep the site free of common debris, such as broken concrete and pieces of rebar, that damages tracks. Fill curbs and dips with gravel. Keep the undercarriage clean and the tracks properly tensioned. Use gradual turns and avoid counter-rotation if possible. Avoid idling, especially when temperatures dip into the 50s. Excessive heat burns money, so keeping machines cool is a good way to reduce O&O costs. ASV tests their machines at 100 percent load for the entire test cycle at up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Fan type varies by model size category. Smaller machines (RT-30, RT-50, RT-60) use engine-driven fans. Larger machines (VT-70, RT-75, RT-120) have variable-speed hydraulic fans. The Heavy Duty option on the RT-75 and the Forestry option on the RT-120 add auto-reverse operation to that hydraulic fan. The reverse function can be initiated by timer or by cool- ant temperature. Coolers on ASV CTLs are not stacked; the oil and water coolers sit side-by-side at the back of the machine and are accessible through a single service door. The air condi- tioning condenser is mounted to the cab and is cooled with an electric fan. The charge air cooler is mounted on top of the hood and is cooled by air being drawn into the engine bay. Bobcat Marketing Manager Jason Archbold and Prod- uct Specialist Mike Fitzgerald say CTLs amplify operator comfort. Where a typical skid steer loader might see 600 to 800 hours in a year, a CTL may run 1,000 or even 1,200 hours, because it extends the construction season and can work on soft ground. Archbold and Fitzgerald say more machines are being spec'ed with such creature comforts as cabs, air condition, radios and upgraded seating. Some features provide multiple benefits. The new Bobcat T870 features the company's 5-Link torsion suspension. While this provides a smoother ride for the operator, it also im- proves grading, levelling and carrying performance. machine matters | continued C Series CTLs from Volvo include several key design features intended to reduce O&O costs by minimizing maintenance and repair expenses. O-ring face seals provide leak-free hydraulic connections. Large side-swing and up- swing rear doors give easy service access, as does the tilt cab with locking gas struts. The 239D and 249D are the smallest CTLs in the Caterpillar lineup. Options include an open or enclosed ROPS, the latter with or without air conditioning. Perfor- mance packages offer standard or high-flow hydraulics (18 or 26 gallons per minute) with self-levelling up and down and electronic snubbing up and down. The 331G and 333G (shown) large-frame CTLs from John Deere boast 88.5 and 96.6 horsepower, 3,100- and 3,700-pound ROCs and bucket breakout forces of 7,600 and 9,250 pounds, respectively. Both have Quick-Tatch, al- lowing changes between buckets and forks in just seconds. Three-way switchable controls offer ISO- and H-pattern as well as hand and foot controls.