Caterpillar’s new wheeled loader represents a new direction in the firm’s aim to develop machines to meet specific needs - Mike Woof reports Caterpillar’s 986H and 988K wheeled loaders are significant introductions for the firm, having been developed to meet the needs of entirely different market segments. The 988K takes the place of the earlier 988H model and this new machine features the latest low emission engine technology, suiting it to use in North America and Europe. Powered by a 403kW diesel the mac
Caterpillar’s new wheeled loader represents a new direction in the firm’s aim to develop machines to meet specific needs - Mike Woof reports
This lower speed has made a difference and the company claims the 988K uses around 20% less fuel than the 988H while a notable difference is that the front linkage has also been changed. “We’ve gone away from the monoboom,” Lefèvre said, explaining that the twin boom layout offers better leverage.
Perhaps even more notable however is the new 986H model. Herwig Peschl is Caterpillar’s marketing manager for the EAME region and said that the 986H wheeled loader has been designed to meet the needs of customers in emergent markets. He said, “We have different levels of fuel quality and customers need to live with that.” He continued that the company is keen to offer the right products for the right markets, with fuel grades being crucial. “We have been defining different fuel technologies.”
The 986H is one example of this and is aimed at customers in markets where fuel quality is an issue. He said, “It’s designed for performance, but with simpler technology.”
He continued, “The 986H is a new and additional machine. It’s been designed and developed for less regulated countries in Africa and the Middle East. It’s built in a new factory in China and the first shipments are going out this year.”
The machine is positioned in between the current 980 and 988 models, which weigh in at around 31tonnes and 51tonnes respectively. Peschl said, “There’s a big gap between the 980K and the 988K. We used to produce a machine that size.”
The 988 loader has been a staple product in the quarrying market since its launch in 1963, with around 20,000 units having been built. Lefèvre explained, “Some of our original generation machines are still operating in Africa with over 60,000 hours on the clock. The 986H has been designed to replace the old 988Bs that are still operating around the world.”
Lefèvre said, “The Z-bar linkage is the same as with the 988. This offers better bucket visibility and lift and using CAD means we reduced the weight of the loader arms by 500kg.”
The 986H shares most of its components with the 980H and the 988H wheeled loaders, with the cab coming from the 980 for example. Lefèvre said, “The only new component is the rear axle.”
Meanwhile the C45 diesel is the same well-proven unit used in the 735 ADT and this engine is offered in Tier 2 and Tier 3 options, depending on the fuel quality the customer has available, as well as the local emission regulations.
Unlike the Caterpillar’s existing large loader, joystick steer is not an option and the machine is only available with a steering wheel. Lefèvre said, “The majority of customers prefer a steering wheel in Africa and the Middle East.”
Peschl said, “It has a simple operator interface and it has less electronics compared with our other machines but it has the same quality and reliability as other machines.”
The machine comes as standard with a lock-up clutch and torque converter with a ride control option for machines that will be used in load and carry operations. Other standard features include an automatic climate control system, while a key option for some Middle Eastern and African customers will be the extra engine cooling package for use in high ambient temperatures. The bucket payload for the 986H is around 10tonnes with rock and 12 tonnes for loose material. The machine can load a Cat 770 rigid truck in four passes and a 772 in four to five passes, while there is also a high lift version of the 986H with an extra 50mm of reach that can load a 773 trick in five to six passes.
