Get FinancingCaterpillar Boosts Power & Productivity Of Next-Generation 558 Forest Machine
Among its other recent product announcements, Caterpillar has heralded upgrades to its 558 forest machine. The company says the new 558 spurs more productivity from both experienced and new workers.
Compared with the 2021 model year Cat 558, the new edition boasts 25% more power, 30% more swing torque, and 15% more travel power. Longer filter change intervals reduce maintenance costs by up to 15%, according to the manufacturer. The Cat 558’s new Certified Forestry cab has 25% more space inside and provides a 50% better field of view.
“The previous 558 was the best in its class for moving timber with power and reliability,” says Brent Uitermarkt, vice president for Caterpillar’s forestry products. “The new 558 next-gen machine builds on that by being even more productive. Plus, it has added benefits of greater comfort and safety, and owners will spend a lot less time and money on maintenance.”
Log Loader & General Forestry
The 558 forest machine is available in Log Loader and General Forestry configurations. The Log Loader version weighs 97,660 pounds (44,300 kilograms) and offers a maximum reach of 41.3 feet (12.6 meters). The General Forestry model’s operating weight is 91,490 lbs (41,500 kg), while its max reach is 34.8 ft (10.6 m).
A 302-horsepower (225-kilowatt) Cat C7.1 engine powers the new 558 and can run on biodiesel and renewable fuels. A smart mode matches hydraulic and engine power to the demands of the task at hand to save fuel and curb emissions. The forest machine has a new electrohydraulic control system and 113,584 pound-force feet (154 kilonewton-meters) of swing torque, which help it handle big logs as it works on hills and slopes.
The user can start the engine with a push button, an optional Bluetooth fob, or an Operator ID. The unique ID can also recall individual operators’ machine settings and attachment function preferences. The engine can cold start at down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit (-32 degrees Celsius); it can also operate in hot temperatures of up to 126 F (52 C). The machine’s cooling fan can be programmed to reverse at custom intervals to eject accumulated debris from the radiator.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Caterpillar says that the new 558 will require 50 fewer filter changes over a 12,000-hour span of service. Its fuel filters last twice as long and now have a synchronized, 1,000-hour replacement interval. A new hydraulic oil return filter performs better filtration and lasts 50% longer with a 3,000-hour service life. Ground-level service point access has been improved, and the new electrohydraulic control system in the 558 does away with pilot oil and a pilot filter altogether.
Visibility & Comfort Features
The new Certified Forestry cab of the Cat 558 has a larger interior and provides a better view thanks to narrower cab pillars, bigger panoramic windows, and a flat hood. A rearview camera comes standard, as does a polycarbonate windshield 1.25 inch (32 millimeters) thick. The cab can be raised with optional risers by 22, 48, or 72 in. (558, 1,219, or 1,829 mm). The Log Loader configuration is available with a lockable cab-tilting system to make transport easier.
The Cat 558 is available with either a side- or rear-entry door that is taller and wider than the previous model’s. The side-entry version has a tilt-up console on the operator’s seat for easier entry and exit from the cab. A new dual HVAC system and a heated and cooled seat come standard on the 558. The cabin’s roof insulation and upgraded window and door seals reduce interior noise levels. A 10-in. touchscreen offers machine status information, controls, and the 558’s digital user manual.
An available Cat PL161 attachment locator can help the operator find tools obscured by brush up to 200 ft (60 m) away. Cat’s Product Link telematics system can provide remote access to operating data, fault codes, and the location of the machine. Product Link also includes remote flash software updates and a new remote troubleshooting feature within cell tower coverage.
Source: Caterpillar