The new models feature a reengineered operator’s station, a new Cat C2.8 engine and an upgraded drive and powertrain.
Building on the success of the Cat M-Series Compact Wheel Loaders, the new Next Generation Cat 906, 907, and 908 wheel loaders boast a reengineered operator’s station, leveraging exclusive Cat technologies to improve operator experience and provide larger wheel loader model comfort on a smaller platform. Featuring the new Cat C2.8 engine, the upgraded drive and powertrain deliver faster roading speeds and drive train performance. The hydraulics and structures have gone through an overhaul, making these new models an optimal fit for many applications.
The new sealed and pressurized cab improves the operator experience, while keeping previous design functional aspects like raised floor pedals and two doors to make cab cleaning easier. Optimum visibility is achieved with larger standard side mirrors, optional parabolic lens electric and heated mirrors, and front and rear camera options. New single-piece front and rear windshields offer 60% better wiper coverage.
Seat mounted controls improve operating ergonomics of the new loaders. A multifunction joystick controls travel direction and speed, proportional auxiliary flow, differential lock and constant hydraulic flow without operators removing their hand from the joystick, elevating operating safety. Like larger Cat wheel loaders, companies will be able to choose from a range of seats, including a new premium heated and ventilated seat.
A first for this class size, new in-cab-programmable kickouts with high-definition rotary sensors mounted to the loader arms better protect operators from unwanted shock and vibration due to buckets striking the ground and/or hitting dump stops at max height. Proper kickout operation also saves up to 20% of bucket cutting edge life. Rather than leaving the cab for setting, the operator remains inside the cab while setting upper, lower and attachment kickout positions at the touch of a button. Cylinder snubbing is also enabled to provide the operator with added protection.
The heart of the new cab design is the Next Generation control monitor, which offers a range of real-time machine operating information. It allows the operator to configure hydrostatic transmission response, auto engine idle shutdown and a utility powertrain mode that provides operators with a more intuitive means of controlling ground and engine speed, ideal when working with hydromechanical attachments. Specifically designed for Cat products, the new Cat C2.8 engine delivers the same 55.7-kW (74-hp) gross power as the previous engine with 13% more torque, resulting in roading performance and tractive effort improvements. The Cat C2.8 meets EU Stage V and U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards with alternative emissions packages available. Its shift-on-the-go transmission offers increased roading speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph), and larger fuel tank capacities of 30% for the 906 and 12% for the 907 and 908 deliver extended work cycles.
When working in dusty environments, the new reversing-fan option assists in keeping cooling cores clean for more efficient temperature control. Through an in-cab soft-touch button, the system can be turned off, set to operate in an automatic mode or momentarily activated by the operator. Automatic mode uses the factory-setting to reverse direction for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. Frequency and duration of automatic reversing can be changed easily by the operator via the new control monitor.
To meet demand for increased multifunctionality with lift and tilt while powering hydromechanical tools, these Next Generation wheel loaders feature a new standard pressure compensated valve, allowing operators to simultaneously control implements and operate hydromechanical attachments seamlessly. Increased working auxiliary pressures make work easier and improve steering to reduce operator fatigue.
Modifications to the optional skid-steer coupler improve visibility through the coupler when setting fork tines. In conjunction, realignment of the compact wheel loader fork carriage improves forward visibility. Bucket capacities have been increased across the range adding to the already impressive operating capacity legacy of the Cat machines.
New for this class size, an optional Cat 908 high-lift configuration is available, perfect for customers operating in agricultural and industrial and waste markets. When combined with the reversing fan option, the high-lift configuration offers farmers increased operating efficiency and reliability. Available solid tires and the high lift configuration make the new 908 loader ideal for industrial and waste applications.
Efficient, high-illumination LED lights options are now available for both working/roading and under-hood-service lights to better illuminate work areas in low-light conditions. Task-focused LED under-hood lighting simplifies servicing in poor ambient light. A unique resistor bank built into the body of Cat LED roading lights keep the lamp assembly warm enough to melt snow and ice, improving efficiency over conventional LED roading lights when operating in colder climates.
The company will be offering lawn mowing services to local homeowners using zero-emission robotic technology.
TurfBot has officially launched its franchised robotic mowing as a service company in the US. The company will be offering lawn mowing services to local homeowners using zero-emission robotic technology.
"We don't do anything without rigorous testing, and we've been testing this concept for several years now," stated Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of TurfBot. "Our goal was to ensure our franchisees could be successful doing this…that is of the utmost importance to us. We wanted to build a sustainable model for the future."
READ MORE: Lemcke launched TurfBot in 2018
The TurfBot concept involves providing access to robotic mowing by offering it as a paid service with a monthly fee. The mowers remain at customers' homes throughout the entire mowing season and can be pre-programmed to mow on certain days/times or started on demand via mobile app. Customers also receive monthly maintenance visits from a TurfBot technician to ensure the mower is always in peak form. Regular trimming and edging can be added on to any mowing program.
To help propel the brand forward, TurfBot has partnered with SiteOne Landscape Supply to assist with equipment, supplies and logistics.
"We have a 25-year history with SiteOne that started with our sister company, Weed Man Lawn Care. It just made sense to partner with them on the TurfBot side – it really was the perfect fit," Lemcke said. "They have been instrumental in helping our franchisees get the equipment needed to launch their businesses and service their customers."
TurfBot has opened its doors in 9 U.S. markets, with plans to expand into an additional 10 more in 2023.
Dr. Joe Armstrong has joined SePRO as the Director of Research, Regulatory and Innovation.
With a focus on expanding its pipeline of sustainable technologies, SePRO is gaining new leadership. Dr. Joe Armstrong has joined SePRO as the Director of Research, Regulatory and Innovation to guide its R&D initiatives.
Armstrong earned his Ph.D. in Weed Science from Michigan State University. Armstrong comes to SePRO from Corteva Agriscience, where he served in several capacities, most recently as the Technology Characterization Leader for Discovery Herbicides.
“Dr. Armstrong is a highly accomplished scientific leader with a proven track record in customer-centric problem solving,” said Dr. Tyler Koschnick, president of SePRO Corporation. “His industry experience with a wide diversity of plants and crops will certainly lend an enormous advantage to our research and development priorities. I am eager to watch his vision unfold at SePRO.”
In his new role, Armstrong will explore existing customer needs to provide structure to future R&D strategies, resulting in a robust pipeline of technologies.
“SePRO is well known for its innovative solutions,” Armstrong said. “The opportunity to join this team of scientific thought leaders is extremely exciting. I am looking forward to collaborating with the R&D team to develop solutions that will not only meet the unique and complex needs of our customers but will advance the SePRO mission as well.”
Make change a priority to boost your business.
Change is inevitable, but good leaders can navigate and embrace change to move their companies forward.
That’s what Kat Cole, president and COO of Athletic Greens, has done for years. As the former president of Cinnabon, she transformed the brand and fostered growth at all levels of the business.
Cole presented at ServiceTitan’s recent Pantheon event, where she gave advice on how to iterate, adapt and succeed faster.
“Smart business owners look around the corner,” she said. “Change comes faster every year because of technology.
For any aspect of change to be success, and help propel the business, Cole said it has to start from the ground up.
“Hourly employees are an incredible bedrock of our communities,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how much leadership wants change, those on the frontlines have to execute it.
“Mine the insights of your people,” Cole added. “A listening leader is a lasting leader.”
Cole said there are three questions leaders should be asking their employees on a regular basis:
1.) What should we start doing?
2.) What should we stop doing?
3.) If you were me what’s one thing you’d do differently to make the business better?
By asking these questions to a myriad of people, Cole said businesses can free up capital, time, resources and energy on things that aren’t working and start prioritizing innovation and change.
Cole had some more advice on how to achieve buy in from employees when it comes to change.
“Find a coalition of the willing,” she suggested. “Let the people going the work take the credit and own the change.”
She added it’s also important for leaders to confront reality and make change before it’s too late.
Another way to find out what needs fixed in a business is to implement what Cole called an “MMDD log” or “Made My Day Difficult.”
She advised businesses to have a log where employees can add one thing each day that hindered them from doing their job to their full potential. Leaders should then look for patterns within the list and improve things where they can.
The branches opened in Bethlehem and Denver, Pennsylvania, at the beginning of March 2022.
Green Lawn Fertilizing officially opened two new branches in Bethlehem and Denver, Pennsylvania, at the beginning of March 2022. The company invested in the two properties in response to its expanding base of residential and commercial customers in the Lehigh Valley and Lancaster regions.
The two ribbon cutting events were attended by all branch employees, the senior management team as well as President and Owner Matt Jesson.
"The Allentown and Lancaster service markets will be paramount in our long-term growth plans," Jesson said. "We look to aggressively grow both markets and create incredible opportunities for our team members while executing on our mission to deliver a superior customer experience."
Hector Torres and George Strine, respective service managers at Allentown and Denver, were given the honor of cutting the red ribbon. Torres has been with Green Lawn Fertilizing for over 14 years. Strine has only been with Green Lawn Fertilizing just over a year, but has worked in the lawn care industry almost his entire career. Lawn General Managers Jon Shuey and Steven Reyes will supervise the operations at Denver and Allentown, respectively, as well.