Caterpillar Releases SMART Dozer Blade, Grader Blade & Backhoe Skid Steer Attachments

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Designed for Cat’s D3 Series Skid Steer Loaders, Compact Track Loaders, and Multi Terrain Loaders, the new Cat BH130 SMART Backhoe Attachment from Cat lets them take on utility trenching, digging footings, and other tasks. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Caterpillar says the three new SMART attachments introduce significant versatility to the various D3 Series Skid Steer Loader, Compact Track Loader, and Multi Terrain Loader models they are compatible with. The attachments include the SMART Dozer Blade, GB120 and GB124 SMART Grader Blades, and the BH130 SMART Backhoe. Each includes control systems that allow operators to adapt a host machine’s standard controls to “precisely match the recognized SMART Attachments’ control needs,” Cat says.

A Smart Assist

The SMART Dozer blade is available for Cat 279D3, 289D3, 299D3, and 299D3 XE Series Compact Track Loaders. After recognizing the blade, the host machine unlocks special display screens that allow the operator to select how to control the blade. Attachment-control mode, for example, assigns the right joystick to operate tilt, lift, and other blade functions. The blade’s ASSIST feature enables performing smoother grades in fewer passes by coordinating machine and blade movements.

The GB120 and GB124 grader blades, meanwhile, work with D3 Series Skid Steer Loaders and Compact Track Loaders. Similarly, once the blades are recognized, special display screens are unlocked to provide attachment-control options. Besides an ASSIST feature that enables selecting a Cross Slope Right pattern or Cross Slope Left pattern, operators can view various feedback data on the display screens concerning blade orientation, slope, and angle.

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Along with the GB120, Cat has released the new Cat GB124 SMART Grade Blade attachment for availability with D3 Series Skid Steer Loaders and Compact Track Loaders. The GB124 includes independent caster wheels that rotate 360 degrees and provide additional support for forward and reverse grading. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

More Than Meets The Eye

The BH130 enables a host machine to assume such tasks as utility trenching, digging footings, and forming and maintaining drainage ditches. The backhoe is also compatible with Cat 3-ton excavator attachments, and via its auxiliary-hydraulic system can pair with hammers, thumbs, and other hydro-mechanical work tools. The backhoe also features integrated electro-hydraulic controls that operators can control via the host machine’s joysticks from the cab. There’s also an attachment-control mode that enables existing joysticks to control boom, stick, bucket, and swing functions.

Source: Caterpillar