CATERPILLAR is celebrating a major milestone following the production of the manufacturer’s 50,000th wheel excavator.
The journey started in 1984 when Caterpillar, Eder and Zeppelin Baumaschinen, the Cat dealer in Germany, introduced a new wheeled excavator line, offering four models under the Cat Eder brand.
Eight years later, the line became a 100% Cat product with a designated wheel excavator team. In 2012, Caterpillar celebrated production of its 25,000th model. This year, the 50,000th wheel excavator, a Cat M318 Next Gen model, rolled off the production line.
Europe and South Korea were among the first adopters of the solution, but the combination of speed, power, versatility and ability to operate a wide range of hydraulic tools has the product growing in popularity in China, south east Asia, the Middle East, North America and other global markets.
Today’s Cat wheel excavator line includes seven models – Cat M314 to M322 – for markets with higher emissions regulations, one model – M315 GC – for China, three models – M315 to M320D2 – for those adhering to lower emissions standards, the M323F railroad-specific model, and four materials handlers from the MH3022 to MH3040.
Brian Abbott, VP of product management for the excavation division, said, “Offering quick movement on the job site and from site to site without damaging the ground, the wheel excavator proved to be a game-changer for contractors working in congested areas and markets with mature infrastructure. The advanced hydraulic design, plumbed differently than conventional excavators, allows them to go beyond digging to operate a range of hydraulic work tools to increase application flexibility.
“We are pleased to present our 50,000th production wheel excavator to our long-time customer, Wolff & Müller.”
During a ceremony held at the Caterpillar facility in Grenoble, France, representatives from Caterpillar and Zeppelin presented the 50,000th commemorative Cat M318 to representatives from Wolff & Müller Holding GmbH & Co. Founded in 1936, Wolff & Müller is one of the leading privately owned construction companies in Germany.
