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Baby Cat on the Prowl in Finland

Tue 27 Aug 2019

Baby Cat on the Prowl in Finland

Caterpillar have certainly done their homework for these new machines and have spoken to owners and operators across the globe about what they need and demand from a modern-day mini excavator, the result as I saw it, is a class range of excavators that look to be well designed and thought out, affordable and of the good build quality end users have come to expect from a Caterpillar product. Clearly inspired by its latest larger excavator range Cat’s Next Generation mini excavator line up starts off with five new models from 1.6 tonnes to 2.2 tonnes. Photo: Courtesy of Koneporssi The model range in the lower weight sector includes: 301.5 / 301.6 (1,575–1,960 kg), 301.7 CR (1,785–1,835 kg), 301.8 (1,715–2,025 kg), and 302 CR (1,945–2,200 kg). All machines except the 301.7 CR are also available in the cab. Power for this model and the others in this line up, comes from Caterpillars own three-cylinder C1.1 diesel engine which offers a net power rating of 14.3kw (19.2hp) @2400rpm while already meeting the current EU Stage V emission standards. Access to the engine for daily checks and routine servicing is via an all steel hinged door which swings out to the left. The dipstick is easily visible and fluid filters are all nicely located for ease of changing. You have to say these machines really do have that Cat look and feel to them which is good to see. Another plus point with these machines is that the entire cab tilts up so you can get to the guts of the machine if you ever need to change a pipe or get to the slew motor in the future, it certainly makes life a lot easier. Photo: Courtesy of Koneporssi My friend and Koneporssi journalist Olli Paivio, who was formerly a contractor in his early working life, put the machine, which was fitted with a Pome tilting head and Rototilt buckets, to good use doing some alterations to a property including grubbing out trees, excavation work to widen the drive and stone up to create improved car parking. This is an ideal solution for conducting a test drive, more real life and one I much prefer over test driving on a sanitised demo plot. Check out Olli’s video from the test drive period.

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