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Digger Man

Digger Man Blog

by Nick Drew  |  Thu 29 Sep 2016

Digger’s flying visit to Finning

I was recently up at Finning headquarters in Cannock doing some filming for our latest batch of videos and as usual when I visit this place, it’s great to do a quick tour of the yard and snap a few shots of the various items of kit. So here are a few of my highlights.

The 777F is the latest reincarnation of one of Caterpillars most iconic dumptrucks. These imposing looking machines are powered by Cat’s 12 cylinder C32 ACERT engines with a net power output rating of 938.7 hp (700kw. These trucks are capable of carrying a heaped capacity load of 78.8 cubic yards. DSC_3050 It’s not all big kit in the yard though and just around the corner I caught my first sight of the new Caterpillar 307E2. This centrally mounted fixed boom machine competes in the 7 to 8 tonne class sector and is powered by a Stage IIIB emissions compliant Cat C2.4 turbo charged diesel engine of 50.3hp (37.7kw). This machine which is manufactured in China is considered to be a competitively priced sister machine to the 308E2 which features an offset boom arrangement. DSC_3054 Caterpillar’s 313F L GC models are proving to be a popular alternative to the higher spec 312E models and there were certainly a good stock of the machines in the yard on the day of our visit. The 313F L GC is powered by Cat’s C3.4B which offers a power output of 70hp (52kw) and requires no AdBlue fuel additive. The machine uses a simple single pump hydraulic system and is proving popular with cost conscious owner/operators and self-drive rental fleet sectors. DSC_3055 With all the recycling that is going on these days the material handling sector is big business and during the tour of the yard I came across this Cat MH3022 model. The machine which tips the scales at 22.7 tonnes is the smallest material handler in the Cat range and is powered by a Cat C7.1 ACERT engine rated at 169hp (126kw). DSC_3057 I spotted this used Cat D9T down at the far end of the yard still sporting its UK Coal stickers. A great example of an all-time Cat classic in the modern era. DSC_3056 Of course no visit to Finning in Cannock would be complete without the obligatory selfie style pose next to a giant piece of kit, so here I am stood next to the Cat 777F. DSC_3063 Big thanks must go to the team at Finning Cannock for showing me around on the day.

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