Our AccuGrade solution helps in achieving almost 30 per cent fuel efficiency and 40 per cent increase in productivity.
Andy Dhanaraj, Director – Sales, Global Construction & Infrastructure, Caterpillar India
Caterpillar, the global giant in construction and mining equipment manufacturing, would like to continue growing it’s machine portfolio and also make the machines ‘smart’ for its customers, informed Andy Dhanaraj, Director – Sales, Global Construction & Infrastructure, Caterpillar India.

What are your projections for the year 2017?
Sitting in EXCON 2015 in December 2015 we were talking about whether the industry could grow or not. After reaching the end of 2016, we realised that most of the businesses are getting traction. We saw execution work on stalled projects started picking up. We feel that the year 2017 will probably be a full growth year for the industry. The government will be in full throttle in 2017 to make a significant visible impact in the economy by pushing infrastructure, road building and other sectors. Caterpillar India is very excited about all these opportunities!

What will be your focus for the next one year or so?
We are present in almost every segment of construction including building construction, roads and bridges and other basic infrastructures. A wide range of our machines are used in the mining segment. We plan to leverage all these opportunities with a focus on technology. We will continue to grow on our machine portfolio and also make the machines ‘smart’ for our customers. That is going to be the key.

Could you explain some of the smart features?
Our earthmoving machines for example feature AccuGrade Grade Control System that improves grading accuracy and reduces the need for survey stakes dramatically. The AccuGrade solution is factory integrated, sensor-independent, and features a suite of products which includes cross slope, sonic, laser, GPS, and ATS technology. It helps in achieving almost 30 per cent fuel efficiency and 40 per cent increase in productivity. It saves a lot of material too. Also, one does not need to look for skilled operators as a two-day training is sufficient for the user to operate the device confidently.

Also, our Cat Connect technology enables operators and managers to access machine operating data including total fuel consumption, average fuel rate, total idle time and fuel consumed at idle, total operating hours and several other machine data. These new technologies and services provide an increasing ability for customers to monitor, manage and enhance operations, gain more control of their jobsites, reduce costs and increase profits.

What are the smart features of the new Cat B20 Hammer?
The good thing about a machine being equipped with Cat technology is that it is merged together with greater perfection. It is just the click of a button that changes the entire circuit of the hydraulics to adapt it to the functioning of the hammer. Though the crusher is coming to the bucket, it is different. Also, it monitors how much time the hammer and its components are being used in the machine.

What makes your 950L wheel loaders stand out from the competition?
The 950L wheel loaders are powered with the Cat C7.1 ACERT engine which is designed to improve operator comfort, performance and productivity. It also features lower fuel consumption and our proven technology Cat Connect. The 950L delivers considerable additional customer value including a new operator environment layout, new transmission with lock-up clutch torque converter (fuel efficiency and speed on grade) and new optional traction aids.