Cat Backhoe Loader delivers exceptional performance, enhanced fuel efficiency and a comfortable, safe, and spacious operator station.

Amit Bansal, Director Sales & Marketing-BCP Division, Caterpillar India

What are the key features that differentiate your backhoe loaders from competitors?

To meet the evolving needs of customers, we continuously innovate advanced technological solutions that set a benchmark for productivity, efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the construction equipment industry. We are also investing in the growth of aftermarket services, including maintenance, repairs, and customization, as they are integral to the growth of the construction equipment industry in India, and it applies to Backhoe loaders as well. Our focus is to reduce operational costs, extend equipment life, and enhance fleet management, making construction equipment more efficient and cost-effective for the customers.

What after-sales services do you provide for your backhoe loaders?

We offer customized plans throughout the product lifecycle to enhance the ownership experience of Cat customers.

24/7 support: We work on a dealer model for the go-to-market function. Our dealers are the face of Caterpillar to our customers. In India, we have two long standing dealers –Gmmco covers the southern region, while Gainwell Commosales India Pvt Ltd covers the northern part. They offer round-the-clock service through a network of almost 4,000 people (between the two dealers) , who are supported by Caterpillar experts.

Financial offerings: To help customers protect their investments, Cat Financial offers various financing, and leasing options as well as extended protection packages. Cat Financial can support customers in making the best choice to support their business, no matter how big or small, whether it be for new or used Cat machines or for repair/rebuild options to keep their current machines operational.

Maximizing performance: Customer Value Agreements’ (CVAs) can support hassle-free service to customers at any point in the machine lifecycle to help maximize machine performance and utilization. A CVA includes dealer technician support using genuine Cat parts for certain planned maintenance and fluid health management to help identify issues before they cause unexpected downtime. It is an ‘all in one’ plan to support the machine’s health and keep machines running longer with genuine Cat parts, and to make owning equipment easier for Cat customers.

Cat Rebuild: Cat Reman and Rebuild product offerings as well as the range of repair options help to lower the equipment owning costs. Cat equipment is built to be rebuilt and recondition and the Cat Certified machine Rebuild options can transform the used machines, bring new life to assets with like-new performance at a fraction of the cost of a new machine. Cat Reman uses less resources and helps meet global customer demand while supporting a circular economy and building a better, more sustainable world.

How are your backhoe loaders customized to meet specific client requirements?

We continually look for opportunities to broaden our product and service offerings, to address our customer needs and help them to succeed in their business.

Our range of backhoe loaders are equipped with the following features:

Power & Precision: Cat® Backhoe Loaders provide superior digging, trenching, back-filling, and material handling capability and can be used for many applications, including but not limited to General Construction, Demolitions and Excavations, Landscaping, Breaking Asphalt and Paving. They deliver the power and precise handling customer need when operating in areas where using larger equipment is not practical. Our Backhoe Loaders set the industry standard for operator comfort, exceptional performance, versatility, and jobsite efficiency.

Fuel Efficiency: The Cat 424 Backhoe Loader with Cat C3.6 engine delivers 41.3% higher peak torque to improve machine performance. This provides high fuel efficiency with up to 20% fuel saving over the previous model when operated in the new Eco mode. The 424 has stronger parallel lift loader arm design that delivers high breakout forces and improved material retention when lifting the loader bucket. The 424’s design delivers a 15% increase in lift force and 30% increase in tilt performance.

Safety: The new stylish cab integrates roll-overprotective structure (ROPS) and falling-object protective structure (FOPS) to protect operators and give them a safer environment in which to work. Redesigned mountings at the cabin’s four corners lower vibration feedback to improve operator comfort further.

Efficiency: At the rear of the machine, the excavator style boom offers better accessibility over obstacles and improved loading efficiency in confined spaces. Providing strong stick force, the machine’s 60-40 split between boom and stick delivers better reach over trucks for ease of loading. Digging performance and material retention are improved by the 205-degrees of rotation offered by the hoe bucket. The machine’s proven variable displacement piston pump now delivers a 14.8% higher rated capacity of 132 lpm hydraulic oil flow at 2200 rpm. Load-sensing, close-centred hydraulics provides oil flow to meet system demand for superior fuel efficiency. Robust components combine with low system wear to increase reliability and provide improved performance for an extended period.

Capacity: The new machine design offers the choice between two-wheel drive for optimum fuel efficiency and four-wheel drive for maximum performance on hilly or tough terrain. The new multipurpose loader bucket option improves functionality at the loader end for dozing, grading, spreading, material handling, carrying and loading. With this and the addition of a new 0.3 m3 backhoe bucket for increased material capacity, a broad range of bucket options are available for the 424 to suit any application. Offering primary and secondary braking for demolition applications, the B8S hammer with necessary lines is available, while the optional manual hoe coupler affords smooth and efficient interchange between the bucket, hammer, or other backhoe work tools.

What steps has your company taken to reduce the environmental impact of your backhoe loaders?

Growing adoption of sustainable construction equipment aims to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. It incorporates energy-efficient designs, emission control, noise reduction, alternative fuels, lightweight materials, data monitoring, and end-of-life considerations. Recently, at the Excon 2023, we celebrated the successful transitioning from Bharat Stage IV (BS4) to higher emission standards of Bharat Stage V, that meets current and future emissions standards.

Cat Backhoe Loader delivers exceptional performance, enhanced fuel efficiency and a comfortable, safe, and spacious operator station. Compared to previous models, the Cat 424 Backhoe Loader with Cat C3.6 engine delivers 41.3% higher peak torque to improve machine performance and features a completely revamped, stylish and modern design. As per internal testing conducted in eco mode, the CEV Stage V 424 has been found to be up to 20% more fuel efficient compared to earlier model.