New compact radius 14-tonne excavator helps improve safety, versatility and reliability.

In a move to help small-to-medium construction companies improve safety and increase productivity, Caterpillar will be showing its latest small hydraulic excavator – the Cat 314D L CR – at this year’s Intermat, 20-25 April 2009, in Paris. The new 314D features a compact radius, making it ideal for work in urban construction sites where often space is restricted is densely packed with machines, equipment and people. The 314D’s reduced tail swing is expected to improve overall safety, while the new tool control system enables machines to be very quickly adjusted to a wide variety of jobs. “We know that our customers do not like seeing their machines idle,” says Marco Franchino, Caterpillar’s small excavator product specialist. “To keep them productive – and making money – they need versatile machines that can easily handle a wide variety of tasks. That’s why the new 314D’s tool control system enables fast and easy configuration of hammers, grapples, multiprocessors, shears, pulverizers and compactors.” In addition, all pins are interchangeable with the C-Series. An optional universal hydraulic quick coupler circuit allows use of either a pin grabber or quick coupler. To further aid speed and productivity an automatic boom and swing function prioritizes the oil flow and pressure to where it is most needed – giving the impression that the machine automatically selects the best mode based on joystick control. The new 314D also helps reduce operating costs via the “On-Demand Power Supply”. This feature delivers maximum power the instant the operator needs it, but just as importantly it also switches it off the instant he doesn’t. This feature has been made possible by the new four-cylinder, electronically controlled engine. The electronic control enables the engine and hydraulics to communicate and work together to deliver flow and pressure on demand – but only in the amounts required for the particular load. This minimizes fuel consumption because only the required engine horsepower is generated. Further savings can be achieved using the On-Demand Power Supply’s ‘Economy Mode’. Operator comfort is enhanced via high visibility and large cab, which is sealed and pressurised to keep dust out and clean air in. All operator controls are designed easy reach, smooth, low-effort operation and the siding door system allows easy operator access, even in tight quarters. Servicing is simplified – for example, a full-colour graphic display alerts the operator when oil and filters need changing. It also incorporates a pre-start check to verify engine and hydraulic oil levels and coolant fluid. Reliability is also enhanced via the new C4.2 ACERT engine, improved fuel injection system, and new third filter. In addition, the easier daily servicing also improves overall reliability.