Finning Expert talks about the benefits of the Caterpillar 966XE and 972XE wheel loaders

“Our Caterpillar 966XE and 972XE wheel loaders now make up around 50% of our UK sales, thanks to the savings our customers are achieving,” says Andrew Bradbury, Finning Wheel Loader Product Manager.

Peter Haddock caught up with Andrew at the Caterpillar Desford facility, where we walked around the 966XE model, highlighting its key features, whilst also discussing performance data.

Andrew: “Through our VisionLink telemetry platform, we’re seeing up to 35% improvement in fuel efficiency from the XE’s continuously variable transmission (CVT), compared to our power shift models. And that translates directly into lower total cost of ownership.”

“The CVT delivers the best of both worlds. You get the smooth control of a hydrostat with the strength and efficiency of a mechanical drive. There’s no torque converter, so no power loss, just clean, continuous power delivery on demand.”

Andrew also highlighted how automation and data driven insights are helping to optimise overall peformance and efficiency.

Andrew: “With auto shutdown, hibernation mode, and Cat Payload monitoring, these machines actively reduce idle time, save fuel, and capture load data in real time. That allows customers to track productivity by the litre, the tonne, or the hour.”

That efficiency is supported by the Z-bar linkage and performance series buckets, which deliver up to a 110% fill factor. And Finning has also added to the UK spec.

Andrew: “We’ve tailored these machines specifically for UK operations. Features like auto lube and integrated VisionLink monitoring are all standard. It’s about making the operator’s job safer, easier, and more efficient.”

With more than three years of real world data now available, Andrew said the numbers speak for themselves:

“We’re seeing significant productivity and fuel savings across the XE fleet. It means we can now go to customers with hard evidence that the XE is the right choice for their application, helping them to be more efficient.”