New Features Make the Cat 973D Track Loader More Powerful, Productive and Fuel-Efficient — Plus Easier to Operate

The Caterpillar home page has details on the new 973D, featuring load-sensing hydraulics, joystick steering, new operator's station (with tilting cab) and 10 percent more power than its 973C predecessor.

Photo Credit: Caterpillar

According to Caterpillar, the new loader carries on the 973C's "all-purpose performer" reputation and retains much of its solid design, including the Cat C9 engine, hydrostatic drive, single-fabrication mainframe, Z-bar loader linkage and oscillating undercarriage. The 973D is a "one-machine workforce" with the features to take on the toughest jobs—at construction sites or in the harsh environments of steel mills, landfills, quarries and demolition sites.

Photo Credit: Caterpillar

Complementing the new hydraulic system are lift and tilt cylinders using position-sensing electronics, which allow operators to set lift and tilt kick-outs from the cab. Kick-outs are quickly reset for each job—or even each truck—to assure fast cycle times. In addition, end-of-travel snubbing assures that cylinders stop smoothly with less shock.

Source: Caterpillar

New Holland High-Clearance Tractor Gives Vegetable and Specialty Crop Farmers More Power and Precise Movement

Photo Credit: New Holland

New Holland's TS6030 high-clearance tractor puts the power of 96 PTO horses into rows of tall vegetables or specialty crops without worry of plant damage. A generous maximum crop clearance of 30 inches at the drawbar prevents damage to valuable crops while cultivating or harvesting. Both axles adjust from 72 to 84 inches to accommodate a wide variety of crops and farming practices.

Photo Credit: New Holland

A new 274-cubic inch, four-cylinder diesel engine is turbocharged and intercooled providing maximum performance and fuel efficiency. Designed to run on standard diesel fuels or any biodiesel blend up to B100 that meets ASTM 6751 fuel quality standards, the TS6030 high-clearance tractor is Tier III emissions-compliant, fuel-efficient, durable and economical.

Photo Credit: New Holland

The TS6030 is available with a choice of three reliable transmissions, including two creeper transmissions that provide the ultra-slow speeds needed for precise movement through the rows during cultivating and harvest. Three-point hitch capacity from the standard 3,600 lbs. up to 7,200 lbs., available flexible link ends and standard telescopic stabilizers make it easy to handle heavy implements.

Additional high-performance hydraulic features include standard FWD for on-the-go extra traction and wheel slip, and an auxiliary implement hydraulic pump is available to add 9gpm flow to the standard 13-gpm implement pump to efficiently run high-demand implements.

Source: New Holland

Volvo Construction Equipment Presenting Sponsor For AEM's Annual Construction Challenge

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Volvo Construction Equipment have signed an agreement which makes Volvo the presenting sponsor for AEM's annual Construction Challenge teen competition.

Photo Credit: Volvo Construction Equipment

The challenge is a creative problem-solving program that educates young people about the value of construction industry careers, as well as industry contributions to improved quality of life.

Under the agreement, Volvo is the exclusive official presenting sponsor of the challenge competition for 2010-2014. The AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment includes the challenge finals at the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition (2011 and 2014), the challenge program within Destination ImagiNation's yearly Global Finals, and regional rally qualifying events.

Dennis Slater, AEM president, states: "Volvo has been a team sponsor since the first AEM challenge. This new and greatly enhanced level of support will enable us to extend the reach of the program, and bring more of the 'best and the brightest' into the construction industry. We applaud Volvo's initiative and forward-thinking leadership in helping build the construction workforce of the future."

Source: Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Front-Mounted Snowblowers Fit Bobcat Tractors.

Photo Credit: Bobcat

With the recently frigid winter weather, snow clearing attachments really come in handy. Bobcat compact tractor owners have a new, more comfortable option to clear snow during the winter. Two new models of front-mounted snowblower implements are now available for Bobcat compact tractor models CT120 to CT235.

"Using a snowblower on the front of the tractor is more comfortable for the operator," said Bryan Zent, marketing manager at Bobcat, "especially on large jobs where the operator would have to constantly turn around in his or her seat to do the work with a three-point snowblower."

The discharge chute on the snowblower rotates hydraulically, so the operator can easily redirect snow as needed.

Source: Bobcat

Curtis Introduces New Cab for Kubota BX Series Compact Tractors

Curtis Industries LLC has introduced a new cab system for the Kubota BX Series compact tractor. The WorkPro SS cab system for Kubota's BX 25 is available with soft doors and the Work Pro SE is available with steel doors, glass side windows and a metal roof with acoustical headliner.

Photo Credit: Curtis Industries

According to Curtis Industries, this new cab system is less than seven feet in overall height (with R.O.P.S. folded) for easy storage in a homeowner's garage. The WorkPro BX25 cab system features several options which include a high performance heater, defroster fan, work lights, strobe or beacon lights, and a deluxe console with CD player.

These BX cabs are part of Curtis' new product expansion. Included in Curtis' new ProSeries are premium, high-quality cabs and enclosures; WorkPro for compact and sub-compact tractors; TrailPro for UTV's; and StreetPro for golf cars. More ProSeries cabs, enclosures, and accessories will be released in 2010.

Source: Curtis Industries