In this edition of On the Ground magazine we introduce the next generation Cat wheel loaders and mini excavators, and Chris our new travelling hose technician. We also bring you the story of Clint's Cat boots, and a day in the life of Terra Power Systems Sales Consultant Steve Lawson.
WINTER 2022
WHAT’S INSIDE
terracat.co.nz I 0800 93 39 39
CEO REPORT Grant Whitelaw - CEO Terra Cat H i everyone, and welcome to the winter edition of our On the Ground magazine. Since our last edition, I’ve spent a fair bit of time travelling across the country, catching up with our teams in the regions, and visiting customers. The noticeable change for me when talking to our customers is a shift in conversation beyond what we usually discuss, namely moving dirt, delivering power and fixing machines and engines. The change in topics reflects a heightened awareness of decarbonisation, greenhouse gas reduction and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics. Of course, the normal items around supply chain challenges, price movements and tight labour markets always come up but there is an appreciation that many of these challenges are global in nature and impact our whole industry. Our Chief Operating Officer Chris Heaton recently attended a training program at Harvard. When he finished that course, I travelled across to the United States to meet up with him, visit various Caterpillar facilities and hold discussions with Caterpillar executives. While we were there, we visited Caterpillar’s main global parts distribution centre at Morton, Illinois and reviewed the latest robotic technology Cat has deployed to improve efficiency around parts picking and shipping. We also visited the Tech Centre in Peoria, Illinois, and saw some of the latest work happening in the battery and electrification space as well as alternative power sources such as hydrogen fuel cells etc. There is a tremendous effort going on inside Caterpillar to develop these sorts of technologies for future products and to complement the range of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction initiatives already available such as more fuel-efficient engines, hybrid power trains, solar / battery micro- grid solutions and autonomous and semi-autonomous offerings. The road map to GHG reduction is much clearer to me after these visits. In June, Caterpillar announced it is creating a new Electrification & Advanced Power Systems Division to deliver advanced electrified powertrain, zero-emission products and technologies, plus the solutions and services associated with these products. The new division will give increased velocity and decision-making around these technologies. Earlier this year, our parent company, Sime Darby Berhad released our new sustainability targets after an exercise to update our strategic sustainability vision, targets, and themes. The targets include a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 (Scope one & two only) compared with 2020, minimum investments in ESG innovation by 2025, and a commitment to more than 50% of products in our 2025 overall product portfolio mix being more energy efficient than in
Winning grins: back (left to right): Candice Fourie, Pete Shaw, Kurt Ansell, Kane Thomson, middle (left to right): Tony Simpson, Jonathan Miller, Scott White, front: Jayden Peek.
Terra celebrates its top teams and technicians
T he dedication of two new managers saw Christchurch crowned as Terra’s branch of the year at the dealer’s annual awards dinner. After winning the Safety and Customer Experience
These categories match Terra’s business strategy, so the achievements being celebrated are critical to the business’s overall success. Nelson’s Jayden Peek won Terra’s first Customer Support Account Manager (CSAM) of the Year award. He was a genuine all-rounder, finishing in the top two across all four metrics used to calculate the winner. This year’s top technician competition was a nail-biter, with a tiebreaker needed on the final afternoon. After multiple rounds of competition, the result came down to just one point, with New
Awards, Service Manager Tony Simpson and Parts Manager Jonathan ‘Jonty,’ Miller were thrilled to receive the prestigious and highly coveted Enterprise Excellence Branch of the Year Award. “We had big shoes to fill and a big legacy, so I’m really, really proud to win this,” said Tony Simpson.
They thanked senior leaders and the health and safety team for showing so much support for two relatively new managers. Christchurch branch consistently achieved high safety standards set by its leadership team, with an increased number of proactive safety activities impacting positively on its injury rate. Other award categories included employee experience, asset excellence and results.
Plymouth’s Kane Thomson pulling ahead of Palmerston North’s Bradley Turner. “Thank you to all the competitors; you guys are amazing, and to be honest, I thought you were all better than me,” said Kane.
2020. Our Sustainability Blueprint is available in our Annual Report on Sime Darby Berhad’s website.
The initiatives released by Caterpillar and our own updated Sustainability Blueprint will help prepare us and guide us into the future as we all head towards a lower carbon world.
Kane Thomson
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The technological advancements Caterpillar demonstrated with the Next Gen excavator range now come into play in the comprehensively updated Cat wheel loader line-up. One of the first such machines in the country is Graeme Bagrie Contracts’ new Cat 980, loading out at Waitohu Quarry. Fully Loaded
the dealer. Cat Advanced Payload extends the features available within the standard Cat Payload system to include additional information such as truck IDs and material types, and the ability to track two loading processes simultaneously. A further Advanced Payload feature is Tip-off Assist, which is designed to provide accuracy on the last pass. In mitigating accidental overloading, it saves quarry operators’ and truck drivers’ time, meaning the truck doesn’t have to go around and tip off again to get rid of excess material. “The ability for us as a machine distributor to upgrade the feature sets of our customers’ machines is very important to us. It extends both the return on investment for our customers, along with the real-world usability of these machines far beyond what might be expected from them when they first arrive on site.” Back at the Waitohu Quarry, Rhys is looking forward to utilising Graeme Bagrie Contracts’ new Cat 980 for some time to come to help load out the daily average of 100-plus trucks that swing in through the gate. “Performance consistency is a big deal for us here, and our Cat gear gives us that,” says Rhys. “With so many truck movements to account for on any given day, we really can’t afford for a machine to be down unexpectedly. Investing in new equipment and keeping it well maintained is a big part of making sure we avoid that situation if we can.” Rhys and his team expect plenty of hours out of their equipment. The new Cat 980 has been on-site since February and, at time of writing, is just about to undergo its first scheduled service. “The Cat 966K that this new machine replaced was purchased in 2015 and had clocked over 10,000 hours when we sold it. I would anticipate the same amount of life out of the new 980, if not more,” says Rhys. “We are loyal to Cat because their equipment helps us get the job done in the best way possible. With such great machinery being backed by a solid distributor in the shape of Terra Cat, it’s a win-win for us. Add to that the advances in the latest Cat Next Gen equipment, and we know we’re making an investment that is only going to help improve our bottom line.”
“Once again, the design nous that Caterpillar demonstrated with the Next Gen excavator range comes into play in the updated Cat wheel loader line-up. An increase in parts commonality means that there is less wastage, with standardised filters now being used across the range.”
Tim says that scheduled maintenance intervals have also been extended, eliminating service downtime and lowering costs. This goes to help improve productivity over the lifetime of the machine.
Caterpillar’s design and build teams have ensured engineering and technology combine to give operators the absolute best value wheel loaders money can buy. For example, over and above the suite of systems already on offer in the new Next Gen Cat 980 and 982 series wheel loaders, Terra Cat is also looking forward to introducing Cat Advanced Payload to the local wheel loader range from the 966 model and larger as standard. “The beauty of the technology systems in the new Next Gen wheel loader models are that they effectively future- proof these machines and give us the ability to update the onboard software to incorporate new features as they become available,” says Tim. “This will prove especially relevant to New Zealand quarry customers when we are able to commence the roll-out of an on-board job dispatch system with weighbridge connectivity, along with a factory installed full certified for trade Cat Advanced Payload system in our new Cat 980 and 982 series loaders. This will prove a gamechanger for quarry operations without weighbridges.” The Cat Payload system calculates material weight in real time by using data from sensors that measure bucket position and loader frame position, as well as hydraulic pressure. Bucket payloads are transferred to the truck cumulative payload weight as soon as an estimated weight is calculated. The wheel loader operator can see the cumulative payload weight and receive overload alerts if the bucket weight exceeds the payload limit. Tim says all Cat 966 model wheel loaders and up will eventually be able to have Cat Advanced Payload installed by
R hys Ellis from Graeme Bagrie Contracts has been utilising one of the first Cat Next Gen wheel loaders to arrive in New Zealand at the busy Waitohu Quarry, just a few kilometres inland from Otaki on the Kapiti Coast. The Cat 980 joins a fleet of other Cat gear at Waitohu, including Cat dump trucks, Cat 345C and Next Gen Cat 352 excavators, and a Cat 980H wheel loader already onsite. Rhys says the new machine offers him a big step up in terms of operator comfort and usability. “The cab has an improved view out which is always good to have. Also, the Next Gen machine bucket cylinders are well designed meaning you can see ‘through’ them when you’re loading which, again, is a good safety feature when you’re alongside the trucks,” he says. Rhys also says the cab is a comfortable place to be on long days at the controls, offering features such as an E-H joystick steering with force feedback for precision control, intuitive, ergonomic controls, and a bright and clear touch screen multifunction display. The Cat 980’s ride control system with dual accumulators also provides excellent ride quality and lowers cab vibrations, which helps mitigate fatigue. But it’s the technology under the bodywork that really advances the latest machines in Cat’s wheel loader line-up. “The Cat M Series wheel loader range already featured class leading reductions in fuel burn and the new Cat 980 and 982
wheel loaders enhance this even further through a range of improvements,” says Terra Cat Industry Manager Tim O’Meara. “Cat Next Gen wheel loaders are proof positive that there is still a lot of room for clever enhancements to traditional drivetrains beyond alternative power sources. Through incremental improvements and gains achieved with more modern technologies, Caterpillar is creating more efficient and economical engines.” In fact, the new Cat Next Gen 980 and 982 wheel loaders are up to 10% more productive with up to 12% lower maintenance costs when compared to the previous 980M and 982M models. Improving the machine’s productivity certainly counts towards overall fuel savings. This is exactly what the new Cat Autodig with Auto Set Tires system is designed to do. This system promotes a proper loading technique to significantly reduce tyre slip and loading time. It can automate the complete bucket loading cycle to deliver consistently high bucket fill factors for up to 10% more productivity. Application Profiles are also a new feature allowing the operator to cycle between pre-set machine settings for roading, truck loading and re-handling. These can be personalised to the operator with their unique operator ID. Tim also points to Caterpillar’s dedication to ensuring more parts commonality across the wheel loader line-up as a way the manufacturer has achieved lower running costs and less waste.
For more information on Cat Next Generation Wheel Loaders
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CLINT’S CAT BOOTS
Clint Lucas has a Cat-powered story like no other. The travel photographer, audio engineer and copywriter has visited over 50 countries in the past 25 years – a journey he started in a pair of Caterpillar boots. “I bought the Cat boots in Nelson in 1996. I remember thinking ‘these are bulldozer boots.’ I was going on my big Overseas Experience (OE), so I needed winter footwear that could travel.” While Clint has been travelling, photographing and working overseas ever since, his Cat boots have spent the last 21 years in New Zealand. “I ripped the heel at some point in 2001,” he said, “so I put them in storage soon after.” Clint held on to the boots hoping to get them repaired, but he wasn’t having much luck. “I was home in New Zealand for most of 2020 and enquired about getting them restored at several repair shops. One cobbler basically laughed and said, ‘No chance, mate!’ So back into storage they went.” But, after Clint’s boots came up in a conversation between his mother, Christine Lucas, and one of our Sales Managers, we knew what had to be done. With some help from Terra Cat, Clint’s boots have now been masterfully restored by McGregors Shoe Service in Christchurch. This means new rubber soles and midsoles, new shanks, triple stitching and new heel cups to replace the rather large tear. “Don’t chuck ‘em, I had thought. They served me well during several winter treks and travels. They were always very comfortable, even after 10 or so kilometres of walking in a single day.” This comfort was much appreciated during his first few months of travel. Clint set out from New Zealand to spend time in Australia, Singapore, the UK, Spain and eventually Dublin to work. “I pretty much wore those boots this whole time.”
“I have lived outside of New Zealand for 25 years now,” said Clint, who left the country for the first time aged 25. “I guess I was a late bloomer for a Kiwi!” Two years into his travels, Clint decided to invest in a camera. “I bought my first camera in 1998. It was a bulletproof Olympus Mju Zoom.” He set off for his next adventure in August 1999, equipped with his Cat boots and a camera. “My plan was not to set foot on an aeroplane for the next 10,000 kilometres. I made it from Amsterdam to Bangkok in about eight to nine weeks. This journey included the trans-Mongolian train from St Petersburg to the southern end of Lake Baikal, down to Ulan Baatar and onto Beijing.” “The photos from this long-haul trip kickstarted my passion for travel photography,” said Clint. “I loved the sights, sounds and smells of different places, and the different people I met along the way – I think the photography was just a bonus until I started earning money from it.” You can find a selection of Clint’s travel photography on his website and his Instagram. He also has photos in the stock image library of Lonely Planet Images, now managed by Getty Worldwide. Clint is still as busy as ever. He’s currently filming a travel documentary in Nepal but is very much looking forward to using his new (old) Cat boots. “I will be into those boots as soon as I get home next winter!” His dad is holding onto his Cat boots in the meantime. “That’ll be for the next year
SCANDINAVIA: “I also travelled around Scandinavia for a month during winter. Heavy, warm boots were a must, especially when it was -24 °C in February.” ST PETERSBURG: “I remember being overwhelmed by the history of the city and its monumental structures. The State Hermitage area is an incredible place to wander around.” MOSCOW: “Compared to St Petersburg, an oddly suspicious place for foreigners like myself who were carrying two cameras.” RUSSIA: “A very slow ride east. The journey from Moscow to Beijing took seven days. Many hours were passed with friendly conversations, chess, pot noodles and staring out at Siberian life.” MONGOLIA: “It was like turning back the clock 100 years. I revisited in 2002 to photograph Mongolia’s western regions for three months.” CHINA: “Train travel all over. It was a wonderful experience – cheap, comfortable and always on time. Dining carts served tasty Asian dishes morning, noon and night.” VIETNAM: “Amazing in every way – the people, places and culture. And the street food on every corner! It was just one $NZD for a beer. Then it was into flip-flops for the next few weeks.”
“I had just worked for four years at a Nelson radio station. I managed to save enough cash to last at least one to two years in Europe, and I had planned several other (budget friendly) travel adventures around the world.” It’s a challenge for Clint to pick just one highlight from his travels so far. “There are too many!” he said. “I think it was being on the road and having the freedom to go wherever you want to (visas pending…). Having the opportunity to photograph and film new and interesting countries was also a constant highlight.” Instead, Clint has given us an overview of some of the places he visited while wearing his Cat boots: DUBLIN: “The people (not the winter weather!) were fun, friendly and always up for a laugh with a new foreign friend.” SOUTHERN SPAIN: “Food and more food! Small tapas dishes came with every drink.” EDINBURGH: “The famous ‘Golden Mile’ actually seemed to go on for miles and miles!” BERLIN: “An impressive city in every direction – when you think of what Germany went through from 1918 to 1989. Great culture, architecture and art.” WARSAW: “Wonderfully cosmopolitan. Friendly. Unique.” TALLINN: “A beautiful place at every turn. Large cobblestone streets and alleyways for miles – my Cat boots definitely got a workout here.”
CAMBODIA: “Humid and HOT!” THAILAND: “Even HOTTER!” Clint was then off to Christchurch via Singapore for a brief family visit before he returned to London in early 2000.
only!” says Clint. “The old Cats look bloody awesome – bulletproof. I can’t wait to wear them again.”
MONGOLIA
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“I just enjoy the drive – it’s a time to think about what I’ve got coming up, and where I might be next. And Terra has given me some greater distances to travel because the customer base is spread out quite a lot.” Chris’ Cat van has been thoughtfully equipped so when he gets to a job he has the best possible chance of having all the parts he needs. “It’s set up on experience. We’re all about adaptability,” says Chris, who works on excavators, wheel loaders and everything in between.
FROM SURFING TO LONG SERVICE - Susan Archer’s story
BREAKING NEW GROUND ON OUR PODCAST T erra’s ‘Breaking Ground’ podcast started last year with a focus on the characters in our industry and the unique stories of the people and machines behind their work. In our most recent episodes, we caught up with two high-profile New Zealanders with valuable knowledge and insights for people and businesses in our industry. In July, we met Crusader rugby team captain, Scott Barrett! We heard about his background from growing up farming in Taranaki, moving to Christchurch, becoming a Crusader, and then making the All Blacks. Now in his third season as captain of the Crusaders, Scott talks about success on and off the field and the outstanding culture that makes the Crusaders a champion team. “I hated the orange uniform; it was a bright orange made of horrible fabric with a big white ‘G’ across the chest. But I shortened the skirt as it was the era of minis.” What Susan enjoyed and kept her in the business were the products and the people. “I’m friends for life with quite a few customers, and several colleagues have become close friends. We used to go camping together when we had young kids.” A highlight was a visit from then Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon and the President of Caterpillar in New Zealand. We hosted an expo for top customers in the early ‘80s, and Susan also got to guide Lady Muldoon on a tour around the site. I t’s 40 years since Susan Archer’s father discovered she’d left school and spent her days surfing. “After my dad found out, I had three interviews and got all three jobs. As I liked machines and big trucks, I took the job here,” says Susan. This was in 1982 and the beginning of the Auckland Service Advisor’s successful career in the business. But the 17-year- old didn’t get off to a promising start. “There were six women in the office when I started and about 200 men! The next woman up from me in age was 30, and they said I was too young to sit with them at lunch.” That wasn’t the only problem.
Susan says the rapid evolution of technology has been the most significant change and challenge. “My role was handwritten until the late 1980s; I did all the customer paperwork for parts.” Susan has recently bought a motor home and hopes to do more travel with her partner Tony Grimwood, who retired from the business a few years ago. She’s also enjoying the arrival of her first grandchild, baby Callan, born in January.
“Cat hoses are superior for jobs because they’re built for purpose. They are made for use on Cat machines, whereas most other manufacturers just build a generic hose. Those hoses might look good, but they fail quickly when you put them into
Susan aged 21
THE MAN IN THE VAN – meet our travelling hose technician N o two days are the same for hose technician Chris McDonnell, who travels all over Canterbury in his Cat van to a wide range of jobs. The Mobile Hydraulic Hose Sales and Hose Technician is kept busy with everything from machine breakdowns to customer orders and hose inspections. “It’s definitely an interesting position,” says Christchurch- based Chris. “You don’t know what to expect when going out to each new job. Every customer is different, and every problem is too – it’s about finding how we can provide the best assistance.” With 10 years of experience as a hose technician, Chris has the expertise to get the trickier jobs done. This is necessary for repairs, which are often a result of challenging circumstances. “Machines typically don’t break down in a good position,” he says. There can be lots at stake when things aren’t running smoothly, so Chris juggles priorities to get onsite as soon as possible to minimise downtime. Each day varies and Chris says there isn’t really such a thing as a normal day. “Ideally, I’ll be out calling on customers until the time comes when there is a job that needs to be taken care of.” The variety and freedom appeal to him. “It’s here, there and everywhere. One minute you’re working at a branch and the next minute you’re out at a farm, or in someone else’s backyard.”
certain applications.” His role as a mobile technician has led
To find out more about a career with Terra Cat visit
40 years of service
him and his van to some interesting locations. “I was at a job for Terra Power Systems, and just as I was finishing up, a big herd of cows began their walk back to the milking shed. I happened to be parked right in their path! I ended up sitting in my vehicle for about an hour while a kilometre-long stretch of cows walked past, with each one having a sniff and a look in my window. The van needed a bit of a clean after that!” “It’s things like this that you don’t experience every day!” says Chris. These experiences are part of what draws him to the role. Hydraulic, Filters and Fluids Product Manager Paul Verwey had some nice things to say about Chris. “He’s been a real success story,” says Paul. “Chris is doing extremely well and is well-liked by everyone he comes across.” Getting on well with customers is “the name of the game,” according to Chris. “You’ve got to be friendly and approachable because people like to work with people that they get along with.” And, after some time working in the field, Chris believes that customers are easier to keep than they are to get. “Once you’ve formed that relationship, they become quite familiar with you and begin to trust you with everything. I’ve got one that just rings me up all the time about odd jobs,” he says. “It’s special to find those people that are
Scott also shared valuable insights on leadership and performance with listeners and their businesses in mind. Earlier, we featured Brad Olsen, Principal Economist and Director at Infometrics. As the state of the economy is currently a concern for all, it was great timing for Brad to talk with us. Brad’s great at explaining the economy in everyday language, which has made him one of New Zealand’s leading economic commentators at a young age. He shared
willing to give you the time of day.”
“Really, it’s all about building
relationships. That’s probably half of the job. The other half is just fixing a few hoses – that’s the easy bit!”
his outlook for the key industries we work with every day within New Zealand, and his overall take on where our economy is heading.
To find out more on Cat hose and couplings visit
Check out the Breaking Ground Podcast episodes
Breaking Ground is also available on Spotify and Apple podcasts
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5AM: My cycle trip from my home in the Christchurch hillside suburb of Westmoreland isn’t a patch on the 50 kilometres I clock up on the weekend. It’s chilly in the morning, and there’s a point where I drop down the hill and the temperature plummets. I’m training for the Blue Dog Mountain Bike Race, an annual event for Terra’s Christchurch team. I’m also entering the Hawea Epic race in 2023 as a solo competitor. We’ll circumnavigate Lake Hawea, near Wanaka, climbing 2500 vertical meters over 125 kilometres. 7AM: It’s convenient that work provides showers, so I’m at my desk fresh and ready by 7am. Lyttleton Port Company called me last night about an alert on a generator, and I fired off a few emails there and then. I was hoping we’d get a jump on the day to fix the issue and by 6.50am, our Christchurch service team had already phoned the port company and had a technician lined up to head over and take a look. 7.30AM: We’re working on the Scott Base Redevelopment project in Antarctica, designing their new generator set-up. There’s a lot to fit into the generator room, and that’s just one of the challenges to overcome. It’s remote and cold, and if I get it wrong, it’s a long way to go to fix it! We’re looking at the engine’s cooling system and exploring the best solution to redirect the engine-generated heat into their hot water system. While my title says sales, that’s only a tiny part of the job. I started as a diesel mechanic, and I love the design and technical considerations each project provides. Clients come to us for project guidance, which isn’t limited to the generator itself. We need to understand all the associated systems so that when the generator goes in, it works well. I need to understand electrical and mechanical engineering, Council and hazardous substance regulations, and fuel systems to do my job. I’ve been with Terra for eight years now, and the challenge is what keeps me here. 10AM: I’ve got an online meeting at 10.30am with the Northwood Ryman Healthcare team. I’m meeting with their Building Services Manager and the Architectural design lead for another Ryman Healthcare site here in Christchurch. Sound is the issue here, and there’s much to consider as we review the room layout. We are working towards reducing the sound level to meet Council requirements and not to expose neighbouring properties to noise pollution when the generator operates under full load. The tricky thing with this site is that there are buildings in the way that might cause reflective noise issues. We’ll need to plan around this to develop a quality solution that the customer values. Once the meeting is over, I get back to work in the office, clarifying any points I couldn’t answer on the spot and making follow-up phone calls. It’s great to know that my ventilator will continue if I ever end up in a Ryman retirement village hospital and the power goes out. I’ll just have to hold my breath for 10 seconds while the engine starts!
12.30PM: Lunch consists of rice and smoked tuna – yummy! I’m generally at work for lunch but sometimes out with customers. 1.30PM: I’m heading out to an interesting – and as always challenging – project for Christchurch City Council with water the issue this time. Horseshoe Lake pump station provides land drainage and flood protection to the nearby area by pumping water from the lake into the Avon River during storms. We’re supplying a marine engine for this application, with the keel cooler option requested. Having the pumped water flow over the cooler means the site can keep pumping flood water if there’s a power cut. We’re due to test the motor next week, so this is a final visit with the Project Manager from Seipp Construction before this milestone to check everything is on track and answer questions. 3PM: The phone rings, and it’s Galbraith’s, a local engineering company needing a couple of engines for a fire pump application. We’ve just finished working with them on a similar project for Christchurch’s new Te Pae Convention centre. This call is excellent as I need to keep finding new business but can easily spend most of my time on existing projects. I work on our large projects, and from when someone first calls us, it’s often two or three years until the project is completed. But today, there’s a quick turnaround. The engines they want are in stock but will need some additional parts. The machine will also need modifying to meet fire pump regulations. We’ll need to build the cost sheet, and then my colleague Natasha will create the quote before she books the job with our Christchurch branch. We can get this done within three days, and, as always, I’m proud of our quick turnaround time and grateful to Natasha for her help.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF STEVE LAWSON
With energy to burn, hopping on a bike at 5am and biking 30 kilometres to and from work, it seems fitting that Sales Consultant Steve Lawson works for Terra Power Systems.
4.30PM: Work finishes when the work is done; it varies. But just because I’m not in the office, that doesn’t mean the work stops. Customers call whenever they can, so I’m always ready and available to talk. The emails and technical data requests also keep coming, but I’ve got through everything urgent, so it’s time to jump back on my bike and head home. The bike ride home gives me some quiet time before returning to my two young kids. My wife and I often spend the evenings taking them to extracurricular activities like gymnastics or cubs, but tonight is free, and it might be an early one!
For more information on Terra Power Systems
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TERRA CAT RELEASES NEWEST MINI EXCAVATORS, EXPANDS CAT GRADE TECHNOLOGIES
Daily maintenance checks for the 304 and 305 CR are done from ground level through side doors. The use of parts common across the next gen line-up helps to reduce parts inventory investment and simplifies maintenance and repairs. Caterpillar has also increased the greasing and servicing intervals of the machine, leading to a 10 percent reduction in owning and operating cost, Terra Cat says. Bevan Dale adds, “Caterpillar’s design philosophy means that there is more commonality of parts and features throughout the full Cat excavator range. So, that presents owners and operators of Cat 1.5 to 10 tonne units with big benefits, because these entry-level machines receive similar or the same features as you’d find in the manufacturer’s bigger machines,” he says. Additionally, Caterpillar now offers Cat Grade technologies as an aftermarket option to owners of Cat next generation mini hydraulic excavators in the six- to nine-tonne class range. Available factory fitted from Caterpillar through Terra Cat, and Sitech, owners can equip the excavators with Cat Grade with Advanced 2D or Cat Grade with 3D. The field kit’s modular components facilitate quick installation, while the technology seamlessly integrates into the Cat next gen excavator electronics infrastructure. Both aftermarket grade technologies mirror the capabilities of larger Cat excavators operating Cat Grade with Advanced 2D or 3D systems, allowing the equipment to reach target grade quickly. A separate, high-resolution touchscreen monitor allows operators to conveniently view, create and work site designs inside the
An emission standards compliant Cat C1.7 turbo engine replaces the previous C2.4 engine, offering more power and efficiency, Bevan Dale says. “Features such as a standard auto idle, auto engine shutdown and load-sensing hydraulics with variable displacement pump help to lower fuel usage for a more affordable mini excavator operation. Lower fuel use means less CO2 emitted saving fuel and the environment. ” High main-relief pressures coupled with flow rates, generates the hydraulic capacity for high digging and lifting forces. The standard auxiliary system comes with quick-disconnect lines, and comes in one-way, two-way or continuous flow. Most Cat next-generation mini hydraulic excavators come with a sealed and pressurised cab enclosure with heating and/or air conditioning. The cab’s large glass areas plus skylight gives operators all-round visibility. A large display with advanced touchscreen option provides intuitive machine function control and easy monitoring of critical operating parameters. Bevan Dale says the 304 and 305 Cat Stick Steer feature is another benefit that Cat’s mini excavator range brings to New Zealand jobsites. “This really is a key stand-out feature. Stick Steer gives the operator the ability to easily switch from traditional travel controls with levers and pedals, to joystick controls just by pushing a button. It essentially means the operator can
T erra Cat has debuted the new four-tonne Cat 304, and five-tonne Cat 305 CR Next Generation Mini Excavators in New Zealand. These models delivering more power to the pumps, higher bucket breakout forces and deeper standard digging depths to increase performance by up to 20% over their E2 series counterparts. Their grease intervals and extended filter service life, combined with common components throughout the line and flat, easy- to-replace side panels, deliver up to 10% lower owner and operating costs. Terra Cat Industry Sales Manager, Bevan Dale says, “The new 304 and 305 CR models are the final machines to be reengineered to the Cat next generation mini excavator line concept. From the 1.5 to 10-tonne class models, all 14 Cat mini excavators in the range offer common features and consistent controls layout to simplify training and operator adaptation.” Built with a new reduced radius design, the 304 features a narrow, 1700mm track width, which is 254mm slimmer than the 304 E2, for more versatility and access to confined spaces. While narrower, the new 304 design increases performance, balance, and stability of the four-tonne class model. Its reduced radius allows for greater stability,
both 360-degree and when traveling with loads, while its extra counterweight option takes the model to a higher level of stability. The new engine on the five-tonne class Cat 305 CR Excavator delivers nearly 9% greater power to increase machine performance. Hydraulic system improvements provide higher breakout forces – 49.2 kN bucket, 28.3 kN standard stick and 25.2 kN long stick – to improve digging efficiency in hard rock applications. It also offers 140mm deeper dig depths than the 305 E2, giving it more application flexibility. Its compact radius swing reduces overhang when working to the side, while its 1980mm track width and new extra counterweight option help to optimise stability and lift performance in confined spaces. Both excavator models now offer an angle dozer blade option for backfilling and finish grading applications. It offers ample above- and below-grade travel, a standard float function and movement of 45 degrees left or right of centre. The angle blade movement is controlled by the right-hand joystick, while the left joystick handles machine drive. The 304 and 305 excavators are also
cab. Automatics deliver simple, single-joystick control over the stick and bucket to maintain grade and
almost drive their mini excavator like a skid steer. It just adds to the work efficiency these compact machines deliver to their owners.”
avoid overcutting and undercutting.
For more information
available with interchangeable counterweight packages that
allow operators to tailor machine weight to job requirements.
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15 TON WHEEL LOADER CAT ® 938
TON WHEEL LOADER CAT ® 938
1500 HOURS SERVICING INCLUDING PARTS FREE +
500 HOURS ERVICING CLUDING PARTS REE
Terms and conditions apply
Terms and conditions apply
THE CAT 938 SMALL WHEEL LOADER SETS THE STANDARD FOR PRODUCTIVITY, FUEL EFFICIENCY AND OPERATOR COMFORT
The improved optimized Z-bar loader linkage delivers the quick loading performance of a traditional Z-bar with the parallelism and load handling capability of a tool carrier. A ised C7.1 ACERT engine works in concert with an intelligent hystat power train to deliver fuel efficiency as standard.
a tool carrier. A high torque, low speed C7.1 ACERT engine works in concert with an intelligent hystat power train to deliver fuel efficiency as standard.
The improved optimized Z-bar loader linkage delivers the quick loading performance of a traditional Z-bar with the parallelism and load handling capability of
terracat.co.nz | 0800 93 39 39
co.nz | 0800 93 39 39
© 2022 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DOTHE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar CorporateYellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DOTHE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar CorporateYellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as uct identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
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