Leading manufacturer of construction equipment Caterpillar has added four new models to its hydraulic excavator line in the seven to 14-tonne class.

The new models – all featuring EU Stage II emissions-compliant engines – are designed to deliver extreme efficiency and value in confined spaces, says a spokesman of Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar.
Al-Bahar has been the representative for Caterpillar in the markets of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE and also in the Omani market through its subsidiary company, Oasis Trading & Equipment Company. The company has been playing an active role for over four decades in the development and sustenance of markets in the Gulf region, through providing quality products and service to the construction, materials handling and power generation industries, the spokesman adds.
The new Caterpillar model 307C SB – a version of the 7.6-tonne 307C – comes with a swing boom that allows it to work alongside walls, fences and other obstructions. 308C CR, an eight-tonne compact-radius excavator based on the 307C, features a 1.29-m tail swing enabling it to work in a 3.5-m wide area.
The new Cat 311C is a utility model, which is a 12-tonne excavator with a reduced tail swing that slots between the 307C/308C and the 312C. The 314C CR is a 14-tonne compact-radius excavator based on the 312C and has a 1.48-m tail swing that allows it to work in limited space of 3.7 m.
“These new models have further expanded the range of Cat excavators offered to customers in a sector of the market where versatility, capability to operate in confined areas and ease of operation are key purchasing requirements,” says the spokesman.
Around 50 per cent of the machines sold in the fast-expanding seven to eight tonne class are now compact-radius models like the new 308C CR, says the spokesman. All the new C-Series excavators, including the 308C CR, feature EU Stage-II emission compliant engines that are turbocharged for increased engine response and improved productivity. A proven Cat hydraulic system delivers high levels of efficiency and controllability for consistently high performance in all applications, he says.
The easy-to-use hydraulic system also provides automatic priority selection between the swing and boom circuits for maximum productivity. Boom and swing priority are adjusted automatically according to the input from the excavator’s joystick controls, eliminating the need for manually selecting the work mode on the cab console.
The new C-Series excavators are built around a rugged main frame and share many common features with other Cat excavators in the seven to 14-tonne weight category. “These excavators also benefit from additional design features that enable them to work on sites, such as urban construction and road maintenance projects,” he explains.
Both the 308C CR and 314C CR feature a heavier counterweight and a shorter upper frame, which significantly reduces the tail swing radius without affecting the level of performance. Stability is further improved by a longer and wider undercarriage on the 308C CR, and a standard back-fill blade on both models.
Caterpillar has also provided the back-fill blade on the 311C Utility, which is designed for customers who look for a machine that is larger than the 308C CR and is easier to operate in tight spaces, the spokesman adds.
The 307C SB has a swing boom similar to that of the Cat mini-hydraulic excavators and replaces the standard one-piece boom used on the 307C, allowing the machine to operate alongside walls, fences and other obstructions. A back-fill blade is offered as a standard.
The versatility of all four new excavators is further enhanced by a full line of job-matched buckets and Cat work tools including quick-couplers, hydraulic hammers, and various demolition tools.
All the C-Series excavators are operated from spacious cabs that provide an exceptional level of comfort for the operators with their ergonomic seat and control layout, low lever and pedal efforts, and outstanding visibility, the spokesman says.
“Comfort and efficiency are increased by optional automatic climate control and a control console that monitors key machine functions,” he adds.
Caterpillar has simplified the serviceability by allowing ground level access to all routine maintenance points and other features that reduces the operating costs and extend service intervals. Standard grease lubricated tracks (GLT) on the STEX range delivers longer track link and inner bushing life, while reducing travel noise and reducing the potential for frozen track joints.