With an increase in power, performance and comfort, Caterpillar wowed the crowds at the Diesel, Dirt & Turf Expo to present the new Next Gen Cat® 285 Compact Track Loader.
Caterpillar product specialist Rohan Mills was at the helm on the expansive WesTrac stand to run through the upgraded features of the new loader, accompanied by a new 275 model also on show, focusing on the boost to power, performance and operator comfort.
With this being the first 285 to reach Australia’s shores, Rohan said the new model is “bigger and more powerful than any track loader we’ve ever previously produced”.
“All next gen Cat compact track loaders are now powered by Caterpillar designed and built engines,” he said, highlighting the Cat C3.6 turbo charged engine that is rated to 82kW (110hp) – a boost on the previous 73kW 299D3 model.
“The torque has also increased on the 285, with a peak of 451Nm, and we’ve increased the flow to 129 litres per minute with the High Flow XPS.”
Rohan also pointed out the higher lift, with the 285 gaining half a metre compared to the 299D3 model at a maximum lift of 3.7m.
“We’ve also increased the lifting performance of the machine,” he said.
“This machine weighs in at just over six tonnes and the rated operating capacity at 50 per cent is 2.9t. So the tilt cylinder at the front has a breakout force of 6t and the lift cylinders have a lift force of 4t.”
Assisting in the stability of the machine is a new undercarriage design, which uses an equaliser bar, while a redesigned cab includes an eight-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated adjustable seat, climate control and side cameras.
Rohan said that the next generation of compact loaders, excluding the 275XE, also doesn’t use AdBlue or DPF.
Visit here for more information on the Cat 285 Compact Track Loader.