2017 International Forest Industries Magazines IFI Aug Sept 2017 v2 | Page 61

– and more production.
Both models boast rock-solid
stability, and the 538 features
a wider track gauge and heavy-
duty counterweight to maximize
stability and operator experience in
diverse logging conditions.
The cab is designed and
purpose-built for tough forestry
work. LED lights are standard along
available on machines in North
America and Australia and New
Zealand, offers unparalleled
operator experience with safer
access, improved operator comfort,
and increased visibility.
The Cat C Series truck and
trailer mounted knuckleboom
loaders have excellent lift capacity
throughout the full range of motion
The Cat 558LL
Caterpillar offers a complete line of
purpose-built forestry equipment
for efficient and profitable timber
harvesting operations, including
machines for processing, handling,
and loading logs.
The Cat Forest Machine line
consists of rugged, powerful,
industry leaders in reliability and
durability and are known for their
strength and stability working in
any forestry application. These
versatile track machines can be
configured for log loading (LL) and
handling in the woods or the mill
yard.
They also can be configured
for a wide range of other general
forestry applications, such as
timber harvesting and processing,
stump removal, road building, and
more.
The Cat 538 LL Forest Machine
and 558 Forest Machine are the
newest and the first models in the
500 series to meet US EPA Tier
4 final emission standards. They
feature outstanding fuel efficiency
and optimized work tools while
increasing horsepower and swing
torque – maximizing efficiency
and reducing costs to increase
profitability for loggers.
The Cat 538 and Cat 558 feature
a new machine design, new engine,
and optimized components and
work tools to provide exceptional
fuel savings and excellent
productivity.
The heart of the Cat 538 is the
164 hp (122kW) Cat C7.1 ACERT Tier
4 Final engine. The Cat 558 is more
powerful, equipped with the 239
hp (178kW) Cat C7.1 ACERT Tier 4
Final engine, a twin-turbocharged
power plant. Both larger engines
generate increased horsepower,
providing the power for strong
multi-functioning and improved
implement performance – and more
production.
Both models achieve
unprecedented fuel economy
thanks to a number of features. For
example, uniform speed control
maintains a constant engine speed
regardless of load. With automatic
engine speed control, the machines
revert to a lower idle speed
automatically when there is a lull
in operation. Also, the operator can
choose from three power modes
depending on the work tasks or
application.
“The hydraulic system delivers
a higher level of efficiency and
power,” said Jared Dunn, the
Caterpillar Forest Machine
Application Specialist. “Pumps
are upsized to increase hydraulic
flow, so while the engine can run
at a lower RPM, burning less fuel,
the Cat 538 and Cat 558 have more
power and perform more work.”
The Cat 559C knuckleboom loader
with a heated and cooled seat
that maximizes operator comfort.
Spacious, quiet, and comfortable
to ensure high productivity all day,
the cab is pressurized and features
an updated bi-level air conditioner,
heater, and defroster to keep
the operator comfortable in any
The Cat 538 Forest Machine shown with a SATCO harvesting attachment for
processing trees at a landing
The enhanced hydraulic
system translates to an impressive
boost in performance: maximum
horsepower, greater swing
torque, and added lift capacity.
The increases mean improved
implement performance, lifting
bigger payloads with better control
weather. Other features include
satellite radio, auxiliary audio port
for MP3 players, and 12-volt power
supply sockets for charging.
The Cat 558 and the Cat
568 are available with a rear
entry cab option for log loader
configurations. The option,
of the boom and at full reach.
Three operating modes give
loggers the flexibi lity to manage
machine hydraulics and fuel
consumption without sacrificing lift
or swing torque.
A wide selection of grapples
are available featuring special
high-tensile, wear-resistant steel
construction and heavy-duty
rotators.
Caterpillar offers the only
complete factory-installed
timber merchandising system
that includes a CTR four-knife
delimber mounted on the trailer
with hydraulic connections to
operate a ground saw slasher. This
delimber is designed for fast, easy
loading of trees and producing
clean, delimbed stems quickly and
efficiently.
Cat stationary mount
knuckleboom loaders can be
equipped with a cab or remote
control for operation. They are
customized to each application and
feature an exclusive resilient pad
mounting system to take the stress
away from major components.
Caterpillar customers are
supported by the industry’s largest
network of dealers who will keep
them up and running with parts
availability, field services, state-
of-the art diagnostic programs,
remote monitoring, and more.
International Forest Industries | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 59