CATERPILLAR 966, 972 WHEEL LOADERS

Caterpillar's wheel loaders 966 and 972 

 

The Cat 966 and Cat 972 Next Generation Caterpillar wheel loaders each have 321 and 339 horsepower. The two Caterpillar medium wheel loaders have working weights of 51,124 and 54,858 pounds, respectively. Both are offered in an XE version with a continuous variable gearbox (CVT), which improves fuel economy by up to 35% compared to the outgoing powershift models.

 

What the Cat XE loader can do

The company states that performance and fuel economy have been significantly improved by integrating the cooling, hydraulic, and engine systems with the CVT drivetrain. To enable efficient digging, accurate control, and operation, these loaders independently modify engine rpm and machine speed in place of the torque converter common in mechanical drive systems.

The XE loaders' CVT technology enables fast speeds uphill and smooth, rapid accelerations. Features like speed-hold and anti-rollback enhance machine control on gradients. Advanced rim pull control helps to reduce tire wear. Lower rated engine speeds in the XE series lead to quieter operation and fewer component wear.

 

Cat loader technologies

The manufacturer claims that a combination of common on-board technology allows the loaders to produce up to 10% more than earlier generations. All four versions have Cat Payload with Assist for accurate bucket payload weighing. The operator can boost truck load accuracy by using the manual tip-off feature to confirm the weight in the final bucket load of a cycle. Data is delivered in real time to the operator display.

In order to significantly reduce tire slip and wear, the company claims that Autodig with Auto Set Tires offers automatic bucket loading with effective loading strategies.

 

Watch how Auto Set Tires and the performance bucket boost output:

Application Profiles configure various machine characteristics with the click of a single button to optimize settings for the task. The loader is now simpler to operate and has customizable on-screen job aids, which increases productivity for workers of all experience levels.

The optional Cat Advanced Payload with Assist features Tip Off Assist, better lists management, site integration, and extended scale functions. This addition automatically modifies the final bucket load to match the hauling unit target. On the website, from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, the Cat Productivity membership option provides comprehensive and exhaustive information that may be used to take action.

The 966 and 972 series designs eliminate the 500-hour service intervals and raise maintenance intervals to 1,000 hours.

Ride control serves as a shock absorber to improve the ride quality on unpaved conditions. To reduce noise, the cab contains sound-dampening features, seals, and viscous mounts. An expansive door that can be opened remotely from the ground and inclining steps are additions to the cab entry/exit over earlier models.

The company's basic seat-mounted electro hydraulic joystick steering technology gives the operator more legroom, improved comfort, better loading accuracy, and more precise machine control with fewer arm motions than the previous models.

In order to balance the machine's linkage and shape for high fill factors and material retention, Cat Performance Buckets, which range in size from 3.75 to 18.25 cubic yards, are made.