Skip to main content

Cat’s mini marvels

The five new compact-radius Caterpillar E Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators are equipped with a new digital COMPASS—Complete Operation, Maintenance, Performance, and Security System – control panel. Built into the COMPASS monitor are an anti-theft system, requiring a five-digit alphanumeric password to start the machine, and an Economy Mode feature (3.5 to 5.5tonne machines) which, Cat says, can potentially lower fuel use up to 20% by adjusting engine speed.
January 6, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The five new compact-radius Cat E-Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators all use new engines meeting Stage IIIB emissions regulations and incorporate new features such as COMPASS control panel.
The five new compact-radius 178 Caterpillar E Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators are equipped with a new digital COMPASS—Complete Operation, Maintenance, Performance, and Security System – control panel.

Built into the COMPASS monitor are an anti-theft system, requiring a five-digit alphanumeric password to start the machine, and an Economy Mode feature (3.5 to 5.5tonne machines) which, Cat says, can potentially lower fuel use up to 20% by adjusting engine speed. An automatic engine-idle system drops engine rpm to idle after four seconds of inactivity.

Also available through the COMPASS panel is a continuous-flow feature for auxiliary hydraulics, which maintains selected flow without operator intervention.  An adjustable auxiliary-flow control for work tools is also new. The auxiliary hydraulic system can be adjusted on a scale of 1-15 via the monitor for added control when handling, for example, a tilting bucket/coupler. Also, a number of different work-tools come preset into the control panel for the operator to choose.

The new model E Series — the 303.5E CR, 304E CR, 305E CR, 305.5E CR and 308E CR SB— all use new engines that meet Stage IIIB emissions regulations. The new machines are said to be designed to carry on the solid performance of their D Series predecessor, while adding even greater value for customers.

An end-damping system in both the boom and stick cylinders to reduce shock loads and to reduce material spillage is another feature of the E Series machines.

The 308E CR SB is only being made available in a Swing Boom configuration. The new model is said by Cat to be designed with enhanced stability, compared with its predecessor, and, optional counterweights are available for use in extreme situations when added stability is required. The 308E CR SB also gets a 17% boost in engine horsepower, which translates into faster hydraulics for improved travel speed, manoeuvrability and grade climbing.

In addition, the 308E CR SB is fitted with a larger cab than its D Series predecessor, and is available only as a cab model, with standard air conditioning, heated air suspension seat, and radio. Other E Series models can be configured as a four-post ROPS canopy or with a cab.

%$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.cat.com Caterpillar false http://www.cat.com/ false false%>

%$Linker: 2 Internal 2 4824 0 oLinkInternal <span class="oLinkInternal"><span class="oLinkInternal">View more videos</span></span> Video false /event-news/intermat-2012/video/ true false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Fayat Group launches Bomag cold planer at INTERMAT
    January 6, 2017
    A working width of 600mm on Bomag’s BM 600/15 compact planer combines all the advantages of the smaller BM 500/15 compact planer with an eight tonne operating weight and a 20% more working width, said the company.
  • Fayat Group launches Bomag cold planer at INTERMAT
    February 16, 2012
    A working width of 600mm on Bomag’s BM 600/15 compact planer combines all the advantages of the smaller BM 500/15 compact planer with an eight tonne operating weight and a 20% more working width, said the company.
  • Putzmeister adds five-section pump
    January 6, 2017
    Putzmeister has added a five-section 38m, 160m3/hr concrete pump, which can be used to place loads inside buildings some 3m higher than the four-section option. Built on a 26tonne chassis, the new 38.5 can reach heights of 31m while leaving the final boom section to pass inside the building. In common with the company’s other machines, the 38.5 now has outrigger sensing, which feeds into the control system and prevents the boom from extending/slewing if the outriggers are not fully deployed. The machine als
  • Putzmeister adds five-section pump
    April 19, 2013
    Putzmeister has added a five-section 38m, 160m3/hr concrete pump, which can be used to place loads inside buildings some 3m higher than the four-section option. Built on a 26tonne chassis, the new 38.5 can reach heights of 31m while leaving the final boom section to pass inside the building. In common with the company’s other machines, the 38.5 now has outrigger sensing, which feeds into the control system and prevents the boom from extending/slewing if the outriggers are not fully deployed. The machine als