Caterpillar is one of the leading manufacturers of backhoe loaders. Since the introduction of the first series of backhoe loaders in 1985, Caterpillar has sold over 100,000 backhoe loaders. Also, Caterpillar has reached many important milestones since the establishment of the company, including the 25th anniversary of Cat backhoe loaders in 2010 and the 250,000th backhoe loader hitting the market in 2012. However, Caterpillar never stops and continually delivers new and innovative Cat backhoe loaders with numerous improvements in design and technology used, such as: new engines, modified hydraulic systems, improved visibility, redesigned linkages, etc. The latest series of Cat backhoe loaders, F-Series, continues the heritage of Caterpillar and maybe even enriches it.
Caterpillar included a Cat 4.4 engine in the new F-Series, which meets the world’s current emission regulations. The power output of the Cat 4.4 included in the 428F backhoe loader is 87 horsepower or 65 kW, while the 432F backhoe loader disposes with 97 horsepower or 71 kW. Another significant change in the F-Series Cat backhoe loaders is the increased maximum dump height, thanks to the redesigned loader arms. Also, the lifting capacity of F-Series Cat backhoe loaders is greater for 15% than the previous series, mainly due to the new lock-up torque converter. The Cat torque converter is optional on all auto-shift Cat backhoe models. Not only it increases the lifting capacity, but the new torque converter is also known for reducing the fuel consumption and increasing the road travel speeds.
The F-Series Cat backhoe loaders include fitting of boosted brakes as a standard feature. The boosted brakes increase the braking and do not require a lot of pedal effort from the operator. For increased control-ability of these loaders, Caterpillar has included a smart electronic torque limiter, which significantly improves the productivity of the Cat backhoe loaders and the operator’s comfort.
For better maintenance and service, the F-Series Cat backhoe loaders have done new improvements, such as:
- easier to remove side panels around the engine
- a new footstep, which allows easier access for daily checks, and
- a cooling pack.
And lastly, these backhoe loaders include new 160-liter metallic fuel tanks that reduce the condensation and are resistant to corrosion. To avoid damages from rocks or other similar factors, the tanks are protected with strong metal plates underneath.