by Kyle Molyneux | Tue 19 Jan 2021
New Cat 340 UHD and 352 UHD
Caterpillar has launched new 340 UHD and 352 UHD Ultra High Demolition excavators in Europe. The US manufacturer has also debuted a new range of hydraulic S-type couplers for hydro-mechanical attachments.
With an operating weight of 53.1 tonnes, the new 340 UHD is powered by a Stage 5 Cat C9.3B engine making 311hp. The engine is able to run on either diesel or biodiesel fuel up to B20, and three engine power modes – Power, Smart and Eco – optimise machine performance to job needs, reducing fuel consumption compared with the 340F UHD. The new 340 UHD boasts a more than 13% higher pin height than the 340F UHD to reach up to eight-floor structures. Its unique coupling system allows for switching between two UHD fronts and retrofit booms and sticks with no special tools in 15 minutes. The new 340 UHD allows for the sticks to be configured with either a Cat CW, S-type or Pin grabber coupler.
With two UHD front options available, the 22m front offers a maximum 3.7-tonne weight at stick pin and maximum horizontal reach of 13.55m at stick nose over the front and side of the machine. Working with a 3.3-tonne maximum weight at stick pin, the 25m front offers a 13.33m maximum reach at stick nose over the front and side of the machine. The 340 UHD can be combined with Cat Multi-Processors, specifically the MP332 and MP324. Contractors can choose between one- or two-piece boom options for high productivity truck loading or lower-level demolition work. Three stick options are available at lengths of 2.8, 3.2 and 3.9m. Standard Cat Payload provides on-the-go weighing and real-time estimates of the payload, so operators can achieve precise load targets when working with the one piece retrofit boom (Caterpillar Payload monitoring will be activated at a later date in 2021).
The new 68.7-tonne 352 UHD excavator is powered by a Stage 5 emissions-compliant C13 engine producing 408hp. The C13 motor is compatible with biodiesel up to B20, and three power modes allow the operator to match machine performance to the task at hand. On-demand cooling is taken care of by a new, fuel-efficient hydraulic reversing fan.
In UHD configuration, the 352 provides 28m of vertical height to the work tool attachment pin, and 15.8m of horizontal reach (when working with a 3.7-tonne tool). These specifications allow the 352 UHD to demolish structures eight or nine stories high, with precision and control thanks to the electro-hydraulic control system. Like the 340 UHD, the 352 UHD features a variable-gauge undercarriage (hydraulically activated): 4m when working, 3m when being transported (with 24-inch track shoes). The Cat Active Stability Monitoring system informs the operator of work tool position within a safe working range and warns when approaching stability limits.
The UHD front can be switched for a straight or bent (retrofit) boom position for lower-level demolition and earthmoving applications. As with the 340 UHD, two people can make this switch in around 15 minutes without requiring a special tool for the job. In retrofit straight boom configuration, the 352 UHD uses a 9.1m retrofit boom with a choice of 2.9m or 3.35m-retrofit stick. Equipped with the longer stick and a 3.08-cubic-metre HD bucket, the 352 UHD has a digging depth of 6.67m and a maximum reach at ground level of 11.88m.
The 352 UHD’s cab is much the same as the 340 UHD’s: 30-degree tilt angle, viscous mounts, FOGS, 10-inch touchscreen display, programmable joysticks, hydraulics pre-heating, heated and cooled seat, rear and right-side cameras, and a radio with Bluetooth and USB ports.
The Caterpillar Hydraulic Connecting S-Type couplers (see below) are available for a range of machines from 311-340 tracked excavators to M314-M322 wheeled excavators. High flow characteristics improve machine fuel efficiency, whilst the clever design prevents contamination of the hydraulic system and protects important hoses and components from damage by placing them inside the coupler. The Cat Hydraulic Connecting S-Type coupler range consists of HCS60 (19-ton max carrier weight), HCS65 (20t), HCS70 (30t), HCS70/55 (30t) and HCS80 (40t).
FIND out more about these Caterpillar products in the March 2021 edition of Earthmovers Magazine, on sale Friday February 5th.
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