Lift and Access November-December 2025 | Page 8

Caterpillar updated its 5.5- to 11-ton mini hydraulic excavators and backhoe loaders to boost control, safety and productivity. The Cat 305 CR adds E-Fence to limit motion near structures and utilities, Indicate for real-time bucket feedback and a laser catcher option for precise grading.

The 308 CR and 309 CR feature the Cat C2.8 engine with maintenance-free emissions controls, a third auxiliary hydraulic circuit, a standard rearview camera and an optional side-view camera. The 308 CR also offers an angle blade with stick steer controls. The 303.5 CR software update improves transient speeds by 25 % and productivity by 35 %.

The Cat 440 and 450 backhoe loaders use the Cat C3.6 engine, raising the 440’ s horsepower to 127 while maintaining 145 horsepower for the 450.

“ With the new backhoes, you can tune the boom, stick, bucket and swing functions right from the touchscreen, and switch between seat- or pod-mounted joysticks, giving operators more control and flexibility on the job,” said David Young, product consultant for backhoe loaders at Caterpillar.

Optional LED lighting, product link telematics and switchable auxiliary flow enhance maintenance, monitoring and attachment versatility.

Elliott Equipment Company highlighted new equipment for transmission utility work, including an updated materialhandling basket for E-Line aerials and the D86 Transmission Class digger derrick.

The self-leveling, rotating basket, available on the E145, E160 and E190 aerials, handles 1,500 pounds of material and 1,200 pounds of personnel, with a combined 2,000-pound rating. It rotates 165 degrees and includes an independently rotating material handler. The boom-mounted platform stays attached during travel and operation, reducing setup and meets ANSI A92.2 standards with grounding lugs, tool power circuits and wind ratings up to 30 miles per hour.

The D86 digger derrick covers the 80- to 90-foot transmission range, offering heavy-duty material handling, large-pad radial outriggers for stability and a tight turning radius for right-of-way work. A curbside operator console and utilityspec transmission body improve safety and efficiency, while Elliott’ s hydraulic system powers the unit. The D86 expands the company’ s digger derrick lineup, which now spans 47- to 115- foot models across distribution and transmission classes.

Making its debut at the Expo, 3S Craftings, LLC revealed its Force Couple Application Tool( FCAT), a portable earth anchor system that allows a single operator to set utility anchors.

The non-impacting, reversible tool counters bending forces during torque application, reducing operator fatigue and tool wear, and supports swappable gasoline or electric motors from multiple manufacturers. The FCAT accommodates a range of anchor sizes, including 1-inch guy wire anchors, while adapters minimize vibration, heat and stress at connection points.

Field tests reported installation times of four to five minutes per anchor, compared with 15 to 20 minutes by hand, with more than 1,000 anchors set without major failures.“ As you can tell, people just don’ t want to do it by hand,” noted Steve Wojtaszek, business developer at 3S Craftings.“ With our tool, a single operator can safely put in an anchor without the fatigue or wear you get using traditional impact methods.”

The FCAT lineup includes models that can deliver up to 2,000 foot-pounds of torque, providing an alternative to two-person augers and hydraulic units.

8 l November-December 2025