Over these 12 months, Caterpillar dealers have completed hundreds of demonstrations with Australian landscapers and tradies, getting the word out on just how great these mini excavators are and what they can do for landscapers looking for affordable digging solutions.

Built with customer needs and values in mind, Caterpillar’s Next-Gen Mini Excavators have been designed to maximize efficiency and capabilities. All whilst ensuring operator safety, comfort, and performance.

The Next-generation model range from Caterpillar gives landscapers a wide choice of options to match machine capabilities to their applications and needs:

• 301.5 Excavator
• 301.6 Excavator
• 301.7 CR Excavator
• 301.8 Excavator
• 302 CR Excavator

Since introducing its range of new Next Generation 1-2 ton Mini Excavators, Caterpillar has experienced a surge in customer demand that has seen a 25% increase in sales over the previous year. This highlights the value of these machines to customers and the demand for innovative mini excavators.

Ryan Allen, from Greenstyle Landscapes, was the first in Australia to purchase a mini excavator from the Cat next-gen range. He has experienced the power and productivity of his 301.7CR first-hand and has noticed the benefits it has brought to his business. Based on these experiences, Allen has been happy to recommend these machines to other business owners and contractors alike, “I’d be happy to endorse these machines to anyone who asks.”

Caterpillar’s Next-Gen mini excavators come with several unique technology improvements that work to provide powerful lifting and digging performance together with efficiency and fuel economy. Allen notes, “the power is great, the machine is at the same time fast and smooth, which is not always possible with mini excavators”.

The load-sensing hydraulic system, coupled with adjustable joystick response, means these new models can generate higher digging and lifting forces without compromising on stability.

An exclusive feature of the Next Generation range is the stick steer function. This moves away from the conventional lever/foot-pedal steering controls and allows the operator to switch to skid steer style “stick-steer” with the touch of a button. For Wil Smethurst from WJS Plumbing, this feature “makes backfilling and leveling a breeze”.

In feedback provided by customers in the first year, top-rated features include the keyless start, blade float, auto-idle, and joystick thumb controls.

Next Generation Mini Excavators 1-2 Tonne Features

• Keyless Start
• Blade Float
• Auto Engine Idle
• Affordable Cat Excavators

In addition to the range of NextGen mini excavators, Caterpillar offers a variety of attachments available from your Cat dealer:
Hydraulic Thumbs – offer the ability to switch from digging to pick-and-place of objects without leaving the cab. Perfect for landscaping applications.

Auger Drives also known as post hole diggers, can drill holes for fences or retaining walls in minutes rather than hours.

Hammers also are known as breakers where there is the need to break-up and remove concrete or rocks to prepare the job site for your landscaping project.

With continuous changes from job sites and customer requirements, the need for reliable work tools is becoming more imperative to keep up with demands. Regardless of situational changes, the necessities that haven’t changed are the need for increased efficiency, superior level finishes and the upmost level of customer satisfaction. Caterpillar’s Next-Gen Mini Excavators are the ideal companion to assist with these growing needs and are ultimately a machine to optimize value for operator, customer, and client.

Source: Hastings Deering