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Archive for the ‘Caterpillar’ Category

Caterpillar Incorporated, also referred to as CAT, is a leading name in the equipment industry. The company is based in the United States and has its headquarters located in Peoria, Illinois. Caterpillar Inc., or CAT, is well known through out the world for being the largest corporation responsible for manufacturing construction equipment, mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines.

Caterpillar is well known for durable and reliable products, and for it distinctive look, the infamous Caterpillar tracks and yellow paint. Caterpillar Inc. manufactures a wide variety of heavy equipment in varied sizes and models capable of handling all types of jobs, and this would include the very popular Caterpillar D9 model bulldozer.

Caterpillar Incorporated: The History

The company dates back to the late 19th century when Daniel Best and Benjamin Holt had the notion that steam tractors held the future of farming and they began experimenting. Prior to 1925, Benjamin Holts family was the pioneer of track tractors and engines powered by gasoline. Caterpillar was eventually formed on April 15, 1925 with the merger of Holt Manufacturing Company and the C.L. Best Gas Traction Company. After the merger, the company underwent several changes, and by the end of World War II the company began to grow. This eventually lead to the launching of their first venture outside of the United States, and this occurred in 1950, marking the beginning of Caterpillars rise as a big corporation.

Today, Caterpillar equipment includes a wide range of track type tractors, hydraulic excavators, backhoe loaders, motor graders, off-road vehicles, wheel loaders, gas turbines and more. CAT equipment has become the choice brand for many different industries like construction and excavation, road building, the mining industry, forestry, energy, transportation and material transporting companies.

Sales and Business

More than half the sales made by Caterpillar are from customers overseas, and this is mostly due to the fact that CAT products are being sold in almost 200 foreign countries. The success of the Caterpillar Corporation has yielded them a worldwide network of more than 200 dealers, with 63 of them in the United States and the rest overseas. From a manufacturing perspective, Caterpillar equipment and their components are manufactured in 42 factories within the United States, and a total of 58 factories located in other countries like Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, England, India, Japan and other countries.

The Caterpillar Corporation and Labor

All big businesses have their ups downs and Caterpillar has had its share of problems. In the early 1980s, the company was faced with a massive union strike and a downward turn in product demand, and this almost led to the company’s demise. At one point during the strike, it was reported that products were piling up so high in the manufacturing plants that the temporary hires could barely move around and get to their stations to work.

Another down turn for the company occurred in the 1990s when Caterpillar was faced with yet another worker strike. However, to make matters worse, Caterpillar hired permanent replacements for the union workers that were on strike and this led to retaliations. Some of the top executives for the CAT organization and some employees were subjected to vandalism to their vehicles, and this made the situation worse for the company.

After the strike in the 1990s ended, things began to look up for the company, and economically it was doing well. It also led to Caterpillar adopting a quality management program called “6 Sigma”, which helped to reduce expense costs, inventory, and identify and correct defects that occur to processes and products.

When you hear the name Caterpillar (CAT), you think quality construction and excavation equipment. It is no surprise that CAT has come out with a series of high quality performance machines classified as the D series, which includes the 420D and 430D backhoe loaders.

The 420D backhoe loader packs 85 HP with a digging depth of 14 feet when it is fitted with a standard stick. The other backhoe loader in the D series is the 430D, which has 94 HP and a digging depth that can reach 15 feet with a standard stick. However, if using an extendible stick, the depth of the dig with the 420D is 18 feet, and with a 430D a depth of 19 feet. This capability is very impressive.

Both Caterpillar D series backhoe loader models are available in Integrated Tool carrier (IT) configurations specifically for applications that will benefit from a parallel lift loader linkage as well as the versatility of quick tool changes because of the hydraulic quick coupler. These applications will include the usage of pallet forks, handling arms, brooms and buckets.

The Caterpillar D series incorporates new and improved pilot operated hydraulic backhoe along with IT loader controls, which will assist in a smoother and precise operation with less effort from the operator. These backhoe loader models utilize excavator type joystick to control with a pattern change valve, though the valve is an optional feature. The pattern change valve feature will allow the operator to select the pattern of control.

Another feature is a 205-degree rotation capability found in the backhoe bucket linkage, and this will make it easier to dig vertical walls and clamp on to material that is going to be loaded into trucks. This rotation capability is an improvement of 40-degrees from that of the Caterpillar C series. Also, this newer Caterpillar D series has a backhoe bucket that features a single pin position, and the bucket link has been integrated with a lifting eye.

There is also an optional quick coupler feature that you can have added to the backhoe, which will enhance it by allowing faster changing of work tools. This feature adds to the versatility and ability to carry out multiple tasks with precision and speed.

The 430D and 420D backhoe loaders utilize a turbocharged direct injection, along with a four-cylinder diesel engine, and a displacement of 4.0 liters. This engine design truly offers superior lug performance that can be attributed to the responsive fuel injection system it has.

Another beneficial attribute is the standard power shuttle transmission. It provides four forward speeds as well as four speeds for going in reverse. It also allows for synchromesh while in all gears, further allowing for permit on the go shifting. Also, the forward and reverse mechanisms of the electric power shuttle will be providing an instant directional change relayed through the powered clutches.

The Caterpillar D series models have an auto-shifting feature, which will automatically shift between the lowest gear and highest gear, making them easier to operate. This feature incorporates five forward and three reverse gears, and it also has a transmission kick switch located on the lever of the loader control for convenience.

Another nice aspect of the Caterpillar D series loaders is the operator’s ability to choose from a standard two-wheel drive or an all wheel drive. This allows the operator to engage more easily when on the go or under heavy loads, all with a flick of a switch that is conveniently located on the front console.

The name Caterpillar is synonymous with versatility and efficiency, and the Caterpillar D series backhoe loaders fit right into those specs, as they are versatile and mover faster than many of the other backhoe models on todays market. Diesel engines are fast, and this machinery is equipped with enough tractions and control that it can handle the worst terrains like mud and rock.

These models also have a variable load sensing hydraulic system that will assist in adjusting the flow and pressure of the equipment, and allow it to meet the demands of work with an increased pressure capacity of 3,300 PSI. This hydraulic system is set to work effectively and efficiently with the type of engine they have in these models, and it provides the necessary hydraulic force for the working tools that are on hand and at the right engine speed.

The new Caterpillar D series backhoe loaders really aim to reduce demands on the machinery operator, decrease fuel consumption, and lessen wear and tear on the engine. It is also much quieter compared to some of the other models available. With all the perks and pluses, the Caterpillar D series is comparably the best backhoe loader on the market.

The D-11 is a type of bulldozer manufactured by the reputable company Caterpillar. It is a model in a series of tracked typed tractors, which are amongst the largest conventional bulldozers on the market today, and is second only to the Komatsu D575. The Caterpillar D-11 bulldozer comes in two different variations, a standard D-11R, and an even bigger and heavier model, the D-11R CD.

The Caterpillar track type tractors are typically classified in a range according to power and size from D-3 (77 HP) to the D-11R (935 HP). As you can see, the D-11 bulldozer from Caterpillar is at the upper end of these models of track type tractors.

This monstrous bulldozer, the Caterpillar D-11, is utilized in large construction projects, where it is used to move large and heavy quantities of rock, dirt and debris in short distances and in confined spaces. Commonly, the Caterpillar D-11 is the choice machinery used in quarries. Because of the price, size, power, and weight of the Caterpillar D-11, it is generally put to use in major projects. The main industries that utilize the Caterpillar D-11 are forestry, mining, excavation and quarry operations.

The Caterpillar D-11 bulldozer is well-known and a popular choice when needing powerful machinery that can rip into earth, which is why it also makes it an ideal piece of equipment in the agricultural industry and other types of rock ripping work. On the back end of the Caterpillar D-11 is the ripper, a long claw-like tool that does exactly what its name says — rips. This claw tool, the ripper, comes in single shank or in multi shank rippers, which are groups of two or more, and are used in heavy ripping projects.

Using a ripper will allow the operator to rip at the ground surface rocks, and break them into smaller pieces and rubble, which will make for easy handling and transport of the debris. Once the removal is accomplished, the area can be graded.

There is even an agricultural ripping feature that will break up rocky and extremely hardened ground. This can take a piece of land that had been considered non-usable for agriculture and turn it into a quality piece of land once agricultural applications is implemented.

Like most bulldozers, the Caterpillar D-11 is no different in the types of blades it uses on the front. There are three varieties of blades to choose from: the straight blade, the universal blade and a combination blade.

The straight blade is short with no lateral curve. It also has no side wings and this makes the blade perfect for fine grading.

The universal blade is tall and curvy. The side wings are large and this makes it ideal for carrying material.

Then there is a combination blade, which takes aspects of the other two varieties and incorporates into this blade. The combination blade is shorter and has a minimal curvature, and it also has smaller side wings.

From a competitor standpoint, the only other bulldozer that can compare to the Caterpillar D-11 is the Komatsu D-475. However, the two bulldozers can be distinguished from each other by the elevated drive sprockets, or what is known as high driver system that results in the Komatsus triangular shape, as opposed to the Caterpillars track oval shape.

Caterpillar is definitely a reputable company and the Caterpillar D-11 bulldozer lives up to the fine and superb craftsmanship produced by this company. Caterpillar D-11 bulldozers are highly reliable and durable for excavating and clearing dirt because they are larger and can push even larger piles of dirt. Also, this excavator is great at ripping rocks from the ground, and it accomplishes it with ease. So, if you want a bulldozer that proves strength, durability and reliability, choose the name Caterpillar and opt for the Caterpillar D-11 to get the job done right on your site.