Caterpillar held a press event in North Carolina March 6-8 to showcase its new lineup of emission-compliant construction equipment, as well as provide tours of its factories in Clayton and Sanford. Caterpillar also offered an inside peek at how it works with both dealers and end-users to continuously improve its products.
Factory tours, job creation. Caterpillar’s assembly plant in Clayton has become the company’s worldwide supplier of wheel loaders. The factory has continued to add jobs since 2009 in order to keep up with worldwide demand. The plant in nearby Sanford has become the company’s worldwide supplier of skid-steer loaders and track loaders. It also continues to add new jobs. Finally, Caterpillar has selected Athens, GA, as the site for a future plant that will become the company’s worldwide producer of small tractors and excavators. Another 1,400 jobs are expected to be created. Current production taking place in Japan will be transferred to Athens.
Tier 4 emission standards. Caterpillar unveiled a lineup of Tier 4 Interim-compliant equipment that also features several other design upgrades to enhance performance, operator comfort and ease of use. That equipment includes:
- 272D (XHP) Skid-Steer Loader and 299D (HXP) Compact Track Loader
- E Series of mini hydraulic excavators
- Several new work tools ideal for a variety of landscaping-related activities, including tree mulching (see photos) and snow pushing.
Tier 4 emission standards help reduce emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from nonroad diesel engines by more than 90%.
