Caterpillar Inc., an American corporation that designs and manufactures heavy machinery and engines, has introduced its new Cat® 311F LRR excavator, a versatile, fuel-saving machine designed to meet all customer needs and lower operating costs.
The new excavator is powered by a 52-kW (ISO 9249) Cat C3.4B engine that meets EU Stage IIIB emissions standards and features a reduced radius that limits over-the-side tail swing to just 508 mm, making it ideal for space-restricted job sites and enabling it to fit on most European road lanes.
Equipped with a massive 2 450-kg counterweight, the excavator boasts the stability and the working capacity of conventional excavators while allowing the use of a full-sized rollover protective structure (ROPS) cab.
“Emissions control is transparent to the 311F LRR operator, requiring no intervention and causing no interruption of work cycles. There is no need for diesel exhaust fluid either. Other advantages include the very low operating cost due to minimal fuel consumption. Fuel economy can be further enhanced through the Eco Mode and the engine idle shutdown feature, which automatically stops the engine after a pre-set period of idling. The latter feature also lowers accumulated hours on the machine, increasing resale price and lengthening maintenance intervals. Biodiesel blends up to B20 can also be used to add more potential savings,” it says in the press release by CAT.
“The powerful hydraulic system places major components in close proximity, which helps reduce frictional losses and pressure drops. The system responds proportionally to control lever movement and delivers flow precisely where and when it is required, which reduces pump loads and saves fuel. Further fuel savings result from regenerating boom and stick cylinder oil — transferring oil from the head end to the rod end of the cylinders without wastefully flowing back to the tank. The 311F LRR can be equipped with the Caterpillar Tool Control, including 10 pre-programmed tools, precisely limiting flow and pressure at the touch of a button. The combination of auxiliary hydraulic systems and couplers allows the use and quick change of a variety of work tools, for greater machine versatility and productivity.”
The full-size Cat excavator cab features ample, flat glass for excellent all-around visibility, an automatic climate control system with multiple vents that provides filtered air, and seat choices including air suspension, heated, and cooled options.
Joystick control consoles can be adjusted to operator preference; the right-hand controller incorporates a “one touch” button for reducing and resuming engine speed. The LED monitor can be programmed in 42 languages and displays critical operating information as well as images from the standard rear-view camera.
