New Cat iron

[Scag48]

So I left my winter wonderland on my weekend, had to take care of a few things at my apartment back on the other side. I figured since I was there I would head to the newest NC Machinery branch in Monroe, WA to have a look at the new facility and see what they had on the lot. This was all the new stuff for sale, or near new. Rental units were on the other side of the building. Enjoy! Some nice stuff, you non-Cat guys can't deny the 7RII or the 6TXW. I would like to get a change to run the new K series dozers to see how they stack up against Deere. Had a real good look at a 279C, very interesting design on the undercarriage. I know that Cat is late to the rigid carriage game, but it seems much better built in terms of keeping it cleaned out in there compared to others. However, it looks very sturdy, would love to demo one. I noticed that Cat has gone to putting the fuel cap behind the rear door, oh well. It appears in this instance the tank is low to the ground, better center of gravity?

279C
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe002.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe005.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe006.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe003.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe004.jpg

[Scag48]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe010.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe009.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe011.jpg

Deere killers, I love the 6T. You don't see them setup as an XW hardly anywhere else but out here, I like the setup personally.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe012.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe013.jpg

[Bleed Green]

nice looking machine. Makes me wonder why the Deere radial lift CTL is so small, compared to the Cat radial lift machines. One would think that the bigger machine would be more sought by contractors because it could move more material faster. At least I would think a bigger machine would be more wanted over a smaller machine, even though the smaller loader could get into smaller areas.

[Scag48]

This 345CL was in for service I imagine, it was setup with Trimble GPS I believe.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe015.jpg

D4K on left, D3K in middle, D6K with cab
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe018.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe016.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe020.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/Railslider/NCMonroe022.jpg

[CAT powered]

That D6K looks kinda like the illegitimate child of a Powertan and a Deere.

[Scag48]

Yeah, I'd agree on the 6K. Has Deere sheet metal lines and Case cab lines. The undercarriage is BURLY, the pictures don't really do it justice. While there wasn't a D5K to compare to in the pics, I was at another Cat dealer the next day (no pics, they didn't have much anyway) that did have a 5K on the lot and the 6K's carriage looks quite a bit beefier.

[Tigerotor77W]

Yum yum yum.

[Junior M]

That D6K looks kinda like the illegitimate child of a Powertan and a Deere.
I was thinkin the same thing....

[bobcat_ron]

That 279C is just so beautiful......Someday...............

[SellingIron]

Why would cat put 873 F-series hoses on there new 297c????

[bobcat_ron]

Why would cat put 873 F-series hoses on there new 297c????

Huh?!?!

You mean the aux. lines on the loader?

[YellowDogSVC]

Why would cat put 873 F-series hoses on there new 297c????

that's one of the things that scared me about my 272c but I was assured those hoses and connections were extra heavy duty in case I snagged a tree limb.

[iron peddler]

first of all where is the 297c? second you are not compare hoses on Cat to bobcat? please clarify what you are speaking of.

[fisherboy2]

hey yellow dog, what kind of skidsteer are you running know.

[Gravel Rat]

Lots of overpiriced Cat machines that will end up with lot rot :laugh:

Actually Cat dozers and loaders are still better than the other brands but their excavators have a hard time competing with the competition.

[bobcat_ron]

Lots of overpiriced Cat machines that will end up with lot rot :laugh:

Actually Cat dozers and loaders are still better than the other brands but their excavators have a hard time competing with the competition.

1 more post there GR, and you got 5,000!

I got some catching up to do here!

[Scag48]

From what I've heard, the D series excavators hold their own pretty well. I never had a problem with the C series, I will put a 312C up against a ZX120 of the same vintage any day. I'm not sure how the over 20 ton Hitachi hoes compare, haven't had a chance to run them, but I didn't see a noticeable difference in performance between a 312C and a ZX120. I think Hitachi is a slightly faster machine, but Cat feels alot more precise. I suppose it depends on what you're doing, but you can't really go wrong with either.

Yeah Ronnie, the 279C looks AWESOME. I was just looking at it thinking how badass it would be to have one. It would be a toss up at this point between a 279C and a Takkie TL140, but the 279C sure is sexy.

[coopers]

New news to me, didn't know they opened a branch there.

[Gravel Rat]

I'am up to 5000 and change :laugh:

Anyhow I'am surprised a Cat dealer opened another Branch. I think Western Canada's largest Cat dealer ie Finning is having troubles not much equipment sales right now.

As for excavators its personal preference.

[OrangeToys]

Does anyone know what these machines cost, just curious.

[SellingIron]

first of all where is the 297c? second you are not compare hoses on Cat to bobcat? please clarify what you are speaking of.


Bobcat F-Series 873 was known its hydraulic hoses sticking out the back like the cats...It doesn't matter that they are HD hoses. Its an area that things can get caught or snagged on. It looks like a unfinished product. They do they same thing with there wiring harness. They are exposed and just hanging around..Again, like an unfinished product that cost to much...

[bobcat_ron]

Does anyone know what these machines cost, just curious.

279C base model, no buckets is $62,000 for my area. Not cheap, I would still have to add the EROPS, AMICS, combo bucket and utility buckets, and the hydraulic quick coupler.

[bobcat_ron]

Bobcat F-Series 873 was known its hydraulic hoses sticking out the back like the cats...It doesn't matter that they are HD hoses. Its an area that things can get caught or snagged on. It looks like a unfinished product. They do they same thing with there wiring harness. They are exposed and just hanging around..Again, like an unfinished product that cost to much...


There's no way they can run those large hoses through or under the rear of the loader arms like Bobcat does, they are a bugger to fix if the rub through and leak, and hoses don't like constant moving if they are shortened down to make things clean and tidy.

[Junior M]

279C base model, no buckets is $62,000 for my area. Not cheap, I would still have to add the EROPS, AMICS, combo bucket and utility buckets, and the hydraulic quick coupler.
Why would you have to buy buckets again, you got all the buckets you need...

[bobcat_ron]

Why would you have to buy buckets again, you got all the buckets you need...

279C is 78" across the tracks, my 68" buckets (the 247/257 are 66" across the tracks) are just too tiny, this is part of my "great debate" from a "masterdebater" (such as myself) as to the pro's and con's of going to a larger frame CTL in the same name brand skid steer.

[Junior M]

279C is 78" across the tracks, my 68" buckets (the 247/257 are 66" across the tracks) are just too tiny, this is part of my "great debate" from a "masterdebater" (such as myself) as to the pro's and con's of going to a larger frame CTL in the same name brand skid steer.
Ah, okay, wasnt aware of this...