The new Cat® C Series knuckleboom loaders from Caterpillar Forest Products feature fuel-efficient power systems, upgraded hydraulics and significantly more lift at full reach than previous models.
The line includes the Cat 579C loader, best for big wood, clear cutting and severe delimbing applications, and the Cat 559C loader, ideal for working in pine, pulpwood and thinning.
“Like previous models, the new C Series models are fast and smooth with superior multifunction capability. In addition to that, the C Series is more efficient and productive,” said Blake Vaughn, Caterpillar Forest Products product performance engineer.“For example,in controlled lab tests the 559C was 22% more productive than the 559B burning the same amount of fuel.”
The larger loader also now has a right-side operator’s cab with a walk-up platform and enlarged doorway for safe access to the cab.
The C Series is powered by the 129.5kW (174hp) Cat C6.6 ACERTTM engine. In designing the engine to meet US Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations, new technology was incorporated to ensure that changes would not reduce the life of the system, increase operating costs or reduce productive uptime. The automatic engine idle down feature and the variable speed engine fan that cools only as required, further reduce fuel consumption.
The 579C loader lifts 35% more at full reach, and the 559C lifts 25% more at full reach, compared to the previous models. “The boost in lift capacity is right where the operator can use it most — at full reach,”Vaughn said.“The lift capacity in the previous models was already strong throughout the rest of the range of motion, so with the increase in lift at full reach, it gives operators that much more capability.”
Three operating modes give loggers the flexibility to match hydraulic power to the job requirements, from thinning small pine to clear cutting big hardwoods. For normal loading operations, the Economy Mode provides fast cycle times and the most fuel economy. The Run Mode allows more hydraulic power for more demanding jobs and the Power Mode provides the most muscle for heavy duty delimbing, slashing and loading applications. The C Series has an excavator-style Negicon piston pump hydraulic system, a robust, reliable system with a simple valve design and big spools to allow fluid to pass through easily. The increase in hydraulic line size also accelerates grapple opening and closing. “This hydraulic system is field proven. It’s been a reliable platform for Caterpillar in other knuckleboom loader models, other forestry machines and excavators,” Vaughn said. “This means more uptime, longer life and better performance.”