Caterpillar Inc. has announced it will unveil the first model in its full line of heavy-duty day cab Cat Vocational Trucks-- the Cat CT660-- at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas on March 22, 2011. The OEM said the line of Class 8 trucks will be sold and serviced exclusively through the Cat North American dealer network. Production is slated to begin after CONEXPO-CON/AGG for customer delivery later in the year.
To develop its first line of trucks, Caterpillar said it “leveraged its industry-leading technologies, extensive knowledge of worksite and operator environments gained from meeting the heavy equipment needs of a wide range of industries, and an unparalleled dedication to customer support.” The OEM said its trucks will offer custom solutions for a large variety of applications, “from moving rock and hauling trash to logging and pouring concrete.”
Before it began designing the new line, Caterpillar said it vocational truck owners and drivers what they wanted and needed from their trucks. “Our design and manufacturing has been focused squarely on making the customer input we gathered a reality,” said George Taylor, director & gm of the Cat Global On- Highway Department.
“We coupled customer input with our knowledge learned from years of experience working closely with different industries to meet their heavy equipment needs to identify the ideal standard options for various industry applications,” he continued. “As a result, we’re proud we will deliver a line of vocational trucks that our customers want, knowing they are built for a wide variety of jobs.”
Caterpillar said it will offer its Cat Vocational day cab trucks with a full range of popular engine ratings and torque capability options. The specs are “designed explicitly for customers' demanding applications” and include a Cat CT11 engine with ratings from 330bhp to 390 bhp and a Cat CT13 with ratings from 410 bhp to 475 bhp. Due out in 2012 is availability of a Cat CT15 engine with ratings from 435 bhp to 550 bhp.
Optionally available will be the Cat CX31 torque converter-style automatic transmission, with three standard locations for rear PTO drive positions. Caterpillar noted it will also offer a complete line of other OEM vocational transmissions, including Eaton manual and automated manual transmissions.
“These trucks are everything the Cat brand represents in terms of quality, durability, reliability, and driver ergonomics, so we’re looking forward to seeing the reaction to the CT660,” said Cat Vocational Truck product manager Gary Blood, who is responsible for product strategy, design and introduction of the new trucks.
