Caterpillar Senior Global Product Consultant for Excavation, Jason Ho, highlights the latest features of the Cat® hydraulic excavator line-up that help customers and their crew get to work without delays.
Caterpillar has announced multiple updates for its Cat Hydraulic Excavator line as part of its annual product update (APU) program.
Helping to improve machine efficiency and get operators quickly to work, the enhancements include Cat Grade technologies, a new User Interface (UI) for quick navigation and an Advanced Payload option for Cat track excavators.
These updates apply to small, medium, and large Cat excavators, plus material handlers, wheeled excavators, and forestry and specialty machines.
Cat Grade enhancements
With 2025 model builds, Cat Grade with Advanced 2D features and functions is now integrated as standard.
Compared to traditional grading methods, Cat 2D technology empowers operators to work more efficiently in a range of applications by delivering real-time guidance for accurate vertical and horizontal control.
It helps to ensure that cuts and fills are made to exact specifications, without undercutting or overcutting, and can eliminate the need for ground stakes in most applications.
“Our 2D grading technology provides easy adjustments to target depth and slope using joystick commands, the touchscreen interface, or a jog dial. It displays target grade with visual guidance plus height and depth,” Jason said.
“To help ensure long life, the integrated components are protected from damage, and 2D works with multiple bucket types, including digging, cleaning, grading and tilting.
“Our Cat Grade with 2D for excavators is an indicate system that helps operators reach grade faster when compared with traditional grading methods. Simply select your target depth and slope and watch the Grade with 2D system use on-board processors and sensors to provide real-time guidance on the distance to grade.”
For customers grading complex designs, Grade with 3D technology is now a factory-installed option that can be ordered for track and wheeled excavators.
This new option includes all the hardware required for the 3D system, installed and tested from the factory. It provides an easier upgrade path for customers who want to add Cat Grade with 3D after initial purchase.
“Cat Grade with 3D for excavators helps operators grade more quickly, accurately and efficiently, improving productivity when compared to traditional grading methods,” Jason said.
“It incorporates GNSS technology and RTK positioning guidance to streamline the grading process for complex designs commonly encountered on large infrastructure and commercial projects. This system allows operators to work confidently, eliminating guesswork while cutting and filling to precise specifications.”
New user interface
Cat Payload for excavators and material handlers delivers precise bucket load information with on-the-go weighing to help prevent overloading, underloading or misloading materials.
From reordering work tool lists to creating new work tool combinations, the display’s new UI starts quickly and enables operators to easily set up machines and access information so they get to work without delay.
Operators keep track of the amount of material moved and can split tasks between truck loading in Weigh Mode and moving material around the site in Stockpile Mode.
The ability to input couplers and attachments into the system makes setting up work tool combinations highly efficient by significantly reducing calibration time.
“One of the main things your operators are going to see is how quickly the monitor starts back up and the improved interface. The icons are now clearly laid out and they are easy to navigate,” Jason said.
“The latest operator-oriented UI has been redesigned to maximise uptime by allowing operators to easily reorder work tool lists and quickly create new work tool combinations.
“It also eliminates the need to measure up again when changing Cat work tool attachments and makes it more manageable for a single person to check and adjust for bucket wear.
“While Cat Payload helps operators to accurately hit load targets and avoid underloading, overloading or misloading materials, customers with track excavators can upgrade the system to Advanced Payload for expanded capabilities such as custom tags, daily totals and electronic ticketing.
“When combined with VisionLink™, Advanced Payload enables customers to analyse jobsites and individual assets for remote management of production targets and key metrics.”
Cat Advanced Payload helps customers to:
- Lower costs – by saving time, labor and fuel consumption.
- Improve accuracy – with precise payload targets that help eliminate over and underloading.
- Increase efficiency – helping new operators to get up to speed faster and experienced operators work more accurately.
- Monitor safety – by helping to prevent truck overloading, which results in heavier and more unstable loads.
All the latest APU 2025 features in action can be viewed on Cat Operator Training at www.catoperatortraining.com.
Caterpillar’s Equipment Training Solutions (ETS) team develops and executes training programs for Cat equipment operators and jobsite supervisors and certifies operators in the Cat dealer network.
The comprehensive program help operators maximise production and improve safety through a variety of training solutions, including eLearning, instructor-led, simulators, and custom training modules.
“With advancements in machine setup simplification, the latest operator-oriented UI, Cat Grade 3D Ready, Cat Payload, and Advanced Payload, these updates help you make the most of every second of your shift,” Jason said.
“Jump into one of our Cat hydraulic excavators to see these updates for yourself.”
More information on the new upgrades for Cat Hydraulic Excavators can be found by contacting a local Cat dealer or visiting www.cat.com.
*Note: Cat Payload for excavators is not legal for trade. VisionLink subscription required. Availability may vary by region, consult your Cat dealer for more details.
