Caterpillar announces attachment range for mini excavators
16 March 2023
Caterpillar has announced new Cat attachments for mini excavators, increasing application versatility for these machines. The new models comprise demolition and sorting grapples, as well as multipurpose grapples for Cat tiltrotators.
The G306 demolition and sorting grapples - part of an extensive range of Caterpillar equipment currently on display at the ConExpo show in Las Vegas, USA - are designed for 5 to 6 t mini excavators, with their G308 models counterparts serving 7 to 10 t machines, and both types can be used in waste, recycling and heavy-duty material handling applications where precise material placement is required.
According to Caterpillar, a slim design makes it easier to get into tight spaces, and material capacities range from 160 l (0.21 cu yd) with the G306 to 240 l (0.31 cu yd) for the G308.
The swing bearing features a single-ball heavy-duty, internally driven design. For longer life, the weld-on base edge design is made of HB500 Brinell equivalent material and bolt-on cutting edge (BOCE) from high-strength, abrasion-resistant steel.
The first hydraulic attachment expansion for the Cat tiltrotator (TRS) product family, the new Cat G206 and G208 multi-purpose grapples expands the grapple technology in combination with the TRS6 and TRS8 models for 5 to 10 t mini hydraulic excavators.
With the G206 sized for 5 to 6 t excavators and the G208 for 7 to 10 t models, these multi-purpose grapples deliver 14.5-kN (3,260 lbf) and 18.4-kN (4,136 lbf) maximum closing force respectively. An integrated cylinder load holding valve maintains grapple closing pressure with no leakage, while the hard-mounted piston accumulator maintains grapple arm closing forces with shifting loads.
The grapple design is optimally matched to the tilt rotate system, and the rotation of the TRS allows for quick and easy material engagement. To avoid any bending torques in radial direction, these grapples feature a welded box structure. With grapple arms and arm edges built with AR450 steel, the arm offers high abrasion resistance for longer wear in extreme conditions.