Construction Equipment Guide
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Thu March 31, 2016 - National Edition
Caterpillar welcomed members of the press to a three-day event at its Peoria, Ill., facilities March 16 to 18. Thursday morning, Caterpillar opened its doors for the first time to its Peoria Proving Grounds facility. Guests were led to temperature-controlled demonstration area. Cameras were not allowed in the facility, but guests were allowed to view and test two machines — the Cat MH3295 material handler and the Cat 637K tractor scraper. These models have been tested in this facility, tested in the field with contractors and are now set to go into production.
Later, attendees were welcomed to the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center. Operators demonstrated several machines, including the Cat 918M, Cat 308E2, Cat 730C2 and in particular, the new Cat 304.5E2 XTC.
Cat representatives emphasized the release of this new innovative machine as the first model in the Xtra Tool Carrier (XTC) lineup. The machine has an innovative skid steer coupler interface for added versatility and work tool integration. This manual coupler allows for use of compact loader tools including: general-purpose bucket, multi-purpose bucket, forks, dozer blade, brooms, power box rakes and trenchers. Coupler operation is controlled through a flick of the XTC switch on the right hand console in the operator station, and then the standard right hand joystick then becomes your loader. Cat representatives are very excited about the release of this new machine.