CAT launch 2nd generation E-Series backhoe loader.

[IBH]

Caterpillar has revised its E-Series backhoe loader with the introduction of E2 versions.

Most significantly for European users is the new boom and dipper design for the backhoe which sees the external extending dipper replaced with a lighter internal mechanism which improves stability and allows better pipe routing. The rear slide frame casting has been revised to allow room for more hoses to control an increasing number of attachments, and comes with increased clamping force and sacrificial wear pads.

The new extending dipper is available with Cat's linkage geometry or to fit JCB buckets and attachments and gets increased (105º) bucket rotation and wear strips with adjustment bolts and lock nuts in place of the previous shim arrangement. The excavator-style boom has increased bucket clearance and additional strengthening to resist damage from an uncurled bucket.

Wear compensation for the stabiliser legs is now done using a ¾ inch socket drive.

Depending on the model, the extending dipper typically provides a maximum dig depth of almost 5.9m with up to 46kN of stick force and 63kN of bucket force. At the front end the 428E, 432E and 442E get revised loader arms with a slimmer profile and improved hose routing while the 428E gets more front loader bucket breakout - up from 55kN to 61kN.

Cat had already started fitting its ROPS/FOPS cab with a one-piece rear screen with a 180º wiper and has now fitted a one-piece composite roof to which channels run-off water down the front screen and has steel inserts for magnetic mount beacons. Inside the two-door cab is a revised instrument panel incorporating an overload warning, low fuel warning and the hours meter which was previously separate.

All E2 machines retain 40km/h travel speeds, diff locks and variable flow hydraulics as standard and in addition benefit from overload warning and burst protection on the 2t SWL boom and dipper. Prices for E2 series machines will be 7% to 10% higher than with the original E series counterparts
Source: http://www.sed365.com/earthmoving/cat-u ... e-loaders/

Also http://www.khl.com/magazines/constructi ... item51874/

[IBH]

Forgot to attach the images and as I can't edit my original post i'll have to put the photos in a new post.