Cat boosts safety on medium wheel loaders with warning systems and motion sensors
Improvements include the Collision Warning System, Rear Object Detection, and the 360-degree vision system
The next-generation of Cat medium wheel loaders features the latest technology to improve safety and help contractors work even faster and with greater accuracy. The wheel loaders can be easily upgraded with optional technologies as work demands it.
The new technology options will be available for next generation Cat 950, 962, 966, 966 XE, 972, 972 XE, 980, 980 XE, 982, and 982 XE wheel loaders.
Operating safety to increase visibility on job sites
Starting with a foundation of the standard HD rear camera with an integrated touchscreen, Cat medium wheel loaders offer a progressive building block of optional technologies, including the Multiview (360-degree) Vision System, Rear Object Detection, and now Collision Warning System with Motion Inhibit.
The new system uses radar and vision sensors to detect hazard potential, alert operators, and inhibit motion when initiating reverse motion from a stationary position. Targeting collision potentials that emerge from behind the loader, the Collision Warning System leverages both smart camera and radar technology to give audible and visual alerts to help operators see, mitigate, and manage hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed. The system's three colour zones — yellow for awareness, amber for caution, and red for critical — approximate the object's distance to the anticipated path of the loader.
The embedded Motion Inhibit feature prevents direct reverse gear engagement when shifting from neutral. It automatically applies the brake when the system detects an object or worker in the critical alarm zone behind the loader. The operator is alerted by an on-screen notification. If the loader is stationary for at least 15 seconds and the operator shifts from park to reverse, Motion Inhibit prevents the machine from engaging reverse when the rear detection system identifies something in the critical alarm zone. The loader will reverse once the operator shifts back into neutral and steers to clear the detection.
People Detection utilizes the smart camera to alert the operator when a person is detected behind the loader. Three levels of alerts dynamically adjust based on the person's proximity to the machine, and the system highlights people in red bounding boxes on the in-cab monitor to distinguish and manage the potential risk.
Payload accuracy
Standard Cat Payload delivers bucket load information with on-the-go weighing to help prevent overloading or underloading. Upgrading to the Advanced Payload system expands automation features and capabilities, including automatic tip-off assist for the final bucket process to help precisely meet target payloads. A new multitask mode within Advanced Payload tracks two loading processes simultaneously, while split mode allows for loading multiple bodies, tracking individual targets, and tabulating grand totals of each load.
Optional Cat Advanced Payload is a system upgrade that offers expanded features and capabilities. Tip-off assist adds automation to the final bucket process. Multitask mode tracks two loading processes simultaneously. Split mode allows for loading multiple bodies while tracking individual targets and grand totals. Add Dispatch for Loading to integrate the loader into the scale house process.
The new technologies added to Cat medium wheel loaders will help operators of all skill levels work more efficiently with less fatigue. These new technologies increase the machine's capabilities by building on a number of standard and optional features already available, including:
- Auto set tires - helps operators with proper digging technique and improves bucket fill factors
- Autodig - performs a full dig cycle automatically for the operator upon detecting a dig condition
- Programmable kickouts - automates repetitive tilt, lower, and lift functions to reduce operator fatigue
- Machine speed limit - offers customers two limit options to control the loader's top speed
- Tire pressure monitoring system - helps operators to maintain recommended tire pressure
- Remote flash - enables downloaded software updates to be initiated from the on-board display
- Remote troubleshoot - remotely connects the loader to the dealer's service department to quickly and efficiently diagnose fault codes
Removing the operator from the machine, the recently announced Command for Loading technology offers remote control of next-generation medium wheel loaders. An ergonomic Command console enables line-of-sight remote control of basic machine functions such as startup/shutdown, bucket rack/dump, and lift/lower. For non-line-of-sight operation, the Command Station can connect to multiple machines and allow the user to operate one machine at a time, either on-site or from miles away.
"Our new optional Collision Warning system with Motion Inhibit includes Object Detection, People Detection and Motion Inhibit as a package to improve safe operation by alerting operators and inhibiting loader motion in the instant a machine transitions from an inactive to an active state," comments Frank Stadelmann, Caterpillar global product application specialist for medium wheel loaders.
