Said to be the company’s largest wheel loader to date, the Cat 994K reduces the number of passes to load large mining trucks.
The standard 994K can handle 40.8t per pass, while the high-lift version can move 38.1t per pass, compared to the previous variants.
Caterpillar said: "The 994K loads mining trucks in the 250, 200 and 150 short ton classes in one less pass than the previous model.
"The high lift configuration is a six-pass match with the popular Cat 793 mining truck, and the high lift as well as the standard configuration loads the Cat 789 in five passes."
The engine power, hydraulics, breakout force, rimpull and lateral stability of the machine have also been upgraded.
A new ambient package makes the loader suitable to operate in temperatures as high as 50° C and a cooling package improves cooling capability over the previous model.
Other features of the 994K include optional fuel tank, electronically controlled and hydraulically driven cooling system fan, engine air filtration system, safety and operator health enhancements, Cat Deluxe seat and four-point seat belts, new mining mirrors, optimized LED lighting and an improved camera.
Caterpillar plans to begin sale of the machine in the first quarter of 2016.
