New Bucket line for 374D and 390D Hydraulic Excavators take full advantage of increased digging performance

Caterpillar Work Tools B.V., the leading provider of excavator attachments, is pleased to announce the introduction of a new line of buckets for the 374D and 390D Hydraulic Excavators. This new line of pin-on and coupler buckets feature improved designs to take full advantage of increased machine performance. In the near future, this new bucket line will also become available for the E-series excavators.

"Caterpillar has a 35 year legacy designing and manufacturing excavator buckets world-wide. Our engineers have listened to customers operating in various applications around the world and integrated their input into the buckets. As always, you can count on genuine Cat quality built in every bucket," said DavidBecktel, Commercial Manager Caterpillar Work Tools.

New bucket line up:
With the introduction of the 374D and 390D comes a whole new bucket line with a naming convention that differs from today. Current excavator buckets in EAME are based on four main categories: Excavation (X), Extreme Excavation (EX), Rock (R), and Heavy Duty Rock (HDR) buckets. The new nomenclature replaces these categories with General Duty (GD), Heavy Duty (HD), Severe Duty (SD), and Extreme Duty (XD). These new category names will be used globally and will make bucket identification easier for customers operating across regions.

Features and benefits:
The D-Series replace the C-Series in the Caterpillar large HEX lineup. However, this is not a simple machine upgrade. As the nomenclature suggests, this is a whole new class of machine. With digging forces increasing significantly, the machines have better potential for productivity than their predecessors. Buckets for the D-Series are as robust as the machines and are intended to take full advantage of the increased digging performance. All types have been upgraded: from General Purpose through Extreme Duty. Changes include reinforced top box design, upsized GET and increased capacities.

Improved geometry, for better operator control and smoother loading:
The sidebar angle has been lowered - resulting in less resistance to material flow into and around the bucket - resulting in a smoother and faster dig cycle. The lower angle also concentrates the power of the machine across a smaller surface.

"Tip forward" - the tip position has been moved towards the operator that opens up the mouth of the bucket and lengthening the floor. This improves material flow and visibility into the bucket, making it easier for the operator to see the work. Typically, operators like to see what's going on in the bucket - it's more than just watching for a big heap at the end. Being able to see material flow gives operators the visual clues to load faster and more efficiently.

Together, these two geometry improvements offer better material flow and make these buckets more controllable, more comfortable to use, easier to operate, resulting better cycle times and less operator fatigue at the end of the day. Subtle, but profound changes, make Caterpillar buckets the most cost effective solution.

Structural improvements to lower operating and owning cost:
The bucket construction has been designed to take advantage of the improved excavator performance. Strength has been increased over previous series buckets. Latest manufacturing techniques allow for precise fit and function. The right balance between material specifications and thicknesses resulted in increased bucket efficiency. This results in longer bucket lifetime and lower fuel burn per ton at comparable productivity.

The D-Series excavators are robust, powerful machines. Performance increases over the C-Series bring the machines up a size class. Digging forces are increased due to larger bucket and stick cylinder diameters and a longer idler link. The total of these changes equal significant increases of the bucket forces over the earlier models.

Four durability categories suitable for any application:
Caterpillar offers four standard bucket categories for excavators. Each category is based on intended bucket durability when used in its recommended application and material. Each bucket durability is available as pin-on, or can be used with a quick coupler. Red areas on bucket images illustrate additional protection against wear as it increases across each category.

General Duty (GD):
For digging in low impact, lower abrasion materials such as dirt, loam, and mixed compositions of dirt and fine gravel. The lighter structure decrease load time and increase the weight that can be lifted. It features standard size adapters and tips. The sidebars are pre-drilled for optional side-cutters and sidebar protectors.

Heavy Duty (HD):
For a wide range of impact and abrasion conditions including mixed dirt, clay and sand & gravel. The bucket features thicker bottom and side wear plates than the GD bucket, increasing bucket wear life. Sidebars are pre-drilled for optional side cutters and side bar protectors.

Severe Duty (SD):
For higher abrasion conditions such as shot rock and sandstone. Features bottom wear plates up to 50% thicker than HD buckets. Side wear plates up to 40% larger than HD buckets. Spade edge with adapters is sized to accommodate higher abrasion conditions while maintaining ease of penetration. Sidebars are predrilled for optional sidebar protectors.

Extreme Duty (XD):
For very high abrasion conditions including high quartzite granite. It features Corner (or heel) shrouds, Base edge end protector (BEEPs), base edge segment and liner. Side wear plates are larger and sidebar protection has been added for protection against abrasion and gouging wear. Spade edge with adapters is sized to accommodate higher abrasion conditions.

Caterpillar supports its work tools with a comprehensive range of pre-and after-sales services that cover everything from advice on work tool selection to operator training, equipment management, and a range of financial and insurance products.

Caterpillar/ Finning (UK) Ltd
Watling Street
Cannock
Staffordshire
WS11 8LL
UK

T: 0800 028 7778