Cat Compact Wheel Loader range powers into UK production

Launched in May 2022, the new Cat Compact Wheel Loader range is the latest group of products to get the Caterpillar next generation treatment and a lot has changed, as Peter Haddock discovered.  

The first thing that makes the new Cat 906, 907, 908 and 908 high lift stand out is that each model is made in the UK at the Caterpillar facility in Desford. In addition, it’s new Cat C2.8, 55.7kW engine that offers 13% more torque is also made in its UK factory in Peterborough. 

Recently visiting both facilities, Peter caught up with Cat Product Specialist, Elie Abi-Karam and Commercial Manager Jas Kundra in Desford to see what changes have been made. He also discovered how the new approach to increased kitting options will add more value and configurability to the product range. 

For Elie and Jas, the arrival of the new range marks the culmination of years of engineering design, customer feedback and product development testing across numerous industry sectors and applications, from construction to waste and agriculture. 

This has led to over 50 different configuration options being developed alongside the three size classes for what is a globally ‘in-demand’ product. 

When you look at the new range, the first major change you see is the all new cab design, which Elie talked through: "From the coat hook to the new 180 degree curved windscreen, everything has changed in this cab. With the new design, we have kept the same frame, whilst increasing the wider coverage, so you can see better by having a single piece windscreen. 

"This replaces the previous three pane design, and we have introduced the same single piece screen design for the rear of the cab. Through the in-cab tablet, you can also view a rear facing camera, and there is an option for a front facing camera as well. 

"For the operator, the cab will feel much larger and more comfortable, especially as we have introduced a new tilting and telescoping steering wheel. This means each operator can adjust the steering wheel to their preferred position. In addition to the steering wheel, the new joystick control is now mounted onto the seat base, moving with the operator as they perform different tasks. 

"This was a key feature taken from our larger wheel loader range and in real world machine trials, it's proven to be very popular. The new range also comes with a canopy option for other markets around the world like Africa, the Middle East or southern parts of the United States."

Sitting in the cab, which featured an all new premium seat option, Elie explained how the new cab is designed for all weather conditions: "With this seat, you can press either a cooling or a heating button underneath. So, whether it's a hot or cold day, you will feel really comfortable. 

"And this comes alongside programmable air conditioning, which, thanks to the sealed cab design, can keep you at your preferred temperature all day long. It's much like the air conditioning you have in a modern car. As soon as you close the door, it cools down or heats up quickly. 

"Another benefit of this design is the cab is pressurised. When the heating or cooling is on, and the air is blowing through the vents it can dispel dust and odours. This makes the cab a really clean, safe and good environment to work in. Especially as we have improved the air conditioning filter, which is now 60% more efficient than the previous model, giving you more air intake to blow through all the vents inside.

The new engine and fuel efficiency. 

With the changeover from red to white diesel and soaring diesel prices, the big change in the new range is the move from the Cat C3.3 litre engine to the new Stage V Cat C2.8 engine, designed and manufactured in Peterborough. 

Elie: "We achieve similar fuel economy from the C2.8 compared to the previous engine, but operators will be able to get a lot more work done with this machine. This is due to the increased torque, hydraulic capability and new powertrain that delivers faster operating capabilities. For example, one of the standout changes has been an increase in travelling speed to 12mph onsite and 25mph when travelling." 

To support fuel efficiency and greater productivity, Caterpillar has introduced additional controls using new software. One key feature that the range now comes with is auto engine shutdown, which can dramatically reduce idle time. 

Elie continued: "When it comes to machine operation, we have also introduced a new sensor driven solution that protects the cutting edge of the bucket. To achieve this, rotary sensors are placed on the top of the loader arm and on the tilt linkage. They know the exact angle, height and position of both components, relaying this to the new software. 

"Inside the cab, there are three buttons the operator can use to position the bucket to the ground or up high. They can also change the bucket angle setting all these parameters so you can repeat that position just by pressing a button. 

"Practically, that means that an operator performing a routine repeated activity will not hit the bucket's cutting edge on the ground or scrape it along the ground. In testing, this makes a big difference to the life of the cutting edge.

"It’s the first time we have introduced this technology into this size of machine. We know it makes a big difference, as we have used it on our larger wheel loaders for some time. And apart from the obvious reductions in wear, it also makes for a much more comfortable ride for the operator. Anyone operating a machine like this will know the effects of a bucket slamming onto the ground. The action reverberates right through the whole machine. 

"This not only leads to additional component wear, but we have also seen operators become more fatigued operating in this way. Basically, what we are achieving is cylinder snub which slows down the bucket or forks when reaching the set levels, this also helps to reduce any spillage and making operations more efficient.

“It's a feature which really comes into its own on our 908 high lift, as we have added almost half a metre to the length of the arm. This makes it ideal for loading and stacking in waste, recycling and agricultural applications in particular. For example, with the new reach, you can feed hoppers, high sided trailers and even place that fourth bale in the barn. 

Key differences in the range 

The smallest model in the range is the 906 with an operating weight of 5730kg. The machine features a standard arm with a lower cab and a 70 litre tank that is 30% larger than the M-Series. For example, this means the wheel loader can drive into a shipping container or low height barns. 

The 907, has an operating weight of 5792kg, giving the operator extra height and comes with a larger 90 litre fuel tank, allowing for longer running times. 

With the same fuel tank as the 907, the 908 has an operating weight of 6632kg, featuring longer loader arms and a higher cab height. The high lift version of the 908 is designed for different applications, adding extra reach and extra height with slightly reduced payload as it uses the same counterweight as the standard 908.

Configurable and upgradeable design

Part of the success of the new range is how the machine can be specified for one application and upgraded in the future for others, as Jas Kundra explained: "Traditionally, these machines would have been used with a bucket or fork attachment. But thanks to the new C2.8 engine, we can deliver more power and torque whilst maintaining fuel efficiency. This means customers can pick different auxiliary line configurations with standard or high flow and therefore use a greater range of attachments.  

"For example, we now have customers using the machine with snow blowers and sweeper attachments. This is all possible thanks to how we have re-cut the metal to enhance the hydraulics with a new pressure compensated valve. 

"But it doesn't stop there. The compact range is now a real workhorse, capable of doing more faster, making it an ideal machine for the rental sector. And it's also why we have introduced a new kitting strategy. 

“If we look at this approach for a basic plant hire specification, the cab can be stripped back with different seating options and storage. But if you later want to upgrade to a new cab kit or auxiliary lines, you can retrofit this or ask your dealer to do it for you. A great example would be turning a base machine into a snow machine to meet customer needs in harsher weather.  

"It also makes the resale market for this machine much more flexible, as the next owner can change the configuration to suit a different application. We currently have over 50 kits available and expect this to increase to 60 as more customers discover the range's capabilities. These kits also include specialist lighting packages one of which can deliver 360-degree illumination for working or performing maintenance in the dark. Underhood lights also support maintenance and our optional LED roading lights get warm enough to melt snow and ice.”

When it comes to the metal, Caterpillar has also changed some machine designs, reprofiling the loader arms on the 908, in particular, to offer greater reach over obstacles. And on the front end, there is now a pin-on connection option to support those customers that want to keep a bucket on and achieve optimum payload. 

Loads more from the 908 high reach

The extra reach of the machine means that the 908 has a higher articulation point than its sister 910 machine. Jas: "This makes the 908 high lift a much more viable option for customers, particularly those that would see the 910 as too large for specific applications. It's also strengthened by the change from a simple valve system to the pressure compensated valve seen in our larger models. 

“This change allows for much greater multifunctionality. Previously if a customer were lifting and tilting whilst trying to send some flow to the work tool, they would have to modulate these actions themselves. Now with the new hydraulics, the is no compromise, as we have taken the hydraulics from our 920 model and put them straight into this machine."

Customers will still be able to use a skid steer loader coupler option which, combined with a high flow setup, will allow them to use a whole array of attachments on the front end. 

The new engine 

The engine is also a new model that has been designed from scratch at the Caterpillar and Perkins engine factory in Peterborough. I recently visited the facility to witness just how a new engine design is put through its paces. The factory itself has a dedicated design and testing facility where robots make individual engine components to allow a new engine to be put together. 

The engines are then tested on specially designed cradles, with numerous sensors monitoring overall performance. After running the engine for many hours, the team takes it apart and looks at each component's performance. 

All of this information supports the overall design process, with further testing then taking place in a dedicated area of sealed cells. Here engineers can place loads on an engine that reflect how it would be used within a real-world environment on a specific machine, like the new Cat Compact Wheel Loader range. 

They even test for sound and vibrations, in addition to running the engine in various ways to collect emissions particulates that are tested in a 'clean zone' to confirm, in this case, the Stage V compliance of the engine. 

Once this phase is complete, the engine is then put into a machine and tested on its proving ground, before being put onto a dedicated pre-production line in the factory. 

This is separate from the other production lines. Because it has all the technology and machine tooling available on the main production lines it ensures every part of the manufacturing process can meet the fine tolerances required and that the design can be built effectively and efficiently when put onto a main production line. 

What strikes you about the new compact wheel loader range is the real step change in the capabilities of this machine, which are made possible thanks to the new C2.8 engine and hydraulics. But it's the kitting options that really make it stand out from previous models, as the base machine can be transformed to perform a whole range of tasks.