The new Cat 980 GC is powered by the Cat C13 engine; the Engine Idle Management System, variable speed fan and load sensing hydraulics combine to offer lower fuel consumption and quieter operations, Caterpillar says.
Four forward/reverse speeds reach a maximum 39.8 km/h (24.7 mph), and the Electronic Clutch Pressure Control (ECPC) shifting system provides smooth gear changes in all operating conditions. Available ride control improves operating smoothness over rough terrain while ensuring material retention and increasing efficiency, and the optional limited slip differential axle increases traction in poor underfoot conditions.
With a bucket capacity range of 4.3-5.8 cubic metres, Cat Performance Series buckets use a system-based approach to balance bucket shape with the machine’s lift and tilt capacity, weight and linkage. The bucket design improves material retention and reduces dig time, Cat says, with build options that include general purpose, flat floor, heavy duty rock, coal and light material to meet any application.
The 980 GC can be equipped with the Cat Fusion quick coupler and controls, and combined with optional third-function hydraulics, the coupler allows use of a variety of work tools.
Cat VisionLink, standard for the new 980 GC, allows fleet managers to track operating parameters such as machine location, hours, fuel usage, diagnostic codes and idle time.
Optional extra features include Cat Payload, which weighs material while on the move, so the operator can avoid over- or under-loading trucks.
Standard safety features include ladders on both machine sides and a rearview camera.
Caterpillar’s global product application specialist Frank Stadelmann said: “We’ve built the new 980 GC on a long legacy of high performance and highly reliable wheel loaders with proven components and integrated Cat machine systems. The loader’s simple user interface, intuitive controls and excellent visibility make for comfortable and efficient operation, even with less experienced operators. New features to this model, like our Engine Idle Management System (EIMS), minimize idle RPM and fuel consumption to help deliver low owning and operating costs.”
Caterpillar says that the 980 GC is “built on a legacy of high performance and highly reliable wheel loaders”. The first Cat wheeled loader appeared on the market in 1959 with the release of the No. 944, its first integrated four-wheel-drive loader powered by a 105-horsepower gas engine. The No. 944 had a four-speed transmission, torque converter, and a rugged box-section frame, setting a new standard in durability and performance in construction equipment. Over the decades, Caterpillar has expanded and refined its lineup, incorporating advanced hydraulics, ergonomic controls, and integrated technology. Today, the company manufactures more than 25 models of wheeled loaders.
