Cat 906, 907 and 908 compact wheel loaders join Next Generation family

A redesigned operator’s station incorporating larger-machine comfort features, as well as a new engine and hydraulics for improved performance are hallmarks of Cat's new compact wheel loaders

Caterpillar has upgraded its M-Series compact wheel loaders with three Next Generation models - the Cat 906, 907 and 908 - with a redesigned operator’s station incorporating larger-machine comfort features, as well as a new engine and hydraulics for improved performance.

Manufactured in Leicester, UK, the three new models join the Cat 903 in the M-Series, which Caterpillar says will be available in the U.S. and Canada by the third quarter of this year.

Jas Kundra, sales & marketing manager, compact wheel loaders, and Elie Abi-Karam, product application specialist, spoke to dealers, customers and media this week to announce the new additions. 

“All that great commonality from the large machines has made its way down onto the smaller platforms,” explains Kundra of the new Next Generation models. 

Abi-Karam noted there are three main changes to the new compacts: the operator environment, the new engine and powertrain, and the hydraulics.

Improved operator experience

The new sealed and pressurized cab is designed to improve the operator experience while keeping previous design functional aspects like raised floor pedals and two doors to make cab cleaning easier.

Optimum visibility is achieved with larger standard side mirrors, optional parabolic lens electric and heated mirrors, and front and rear camera options. New single-piece front and rear windshields offer 60% better wiper coverage.

Seat-mounted controls improve operating ergonomics of the new loaders. A multi-function joystick controls travel direction and speed, proportional auxiliary flow, differential lock, and constant hydraulic flow without operators removing their hand from the joystick, elevating operating safety. Like larger Cat wheel loaders, companies will be able to choose from a range of seats, including a new premium heated and ventilated seat.

A first for this class size, new in-cab-programmable kickouts with high-definition rotary sensors mounted to the loader arms better protect operators from unwanted shock and vibration due to buckets striking the ground and/or hitting dump stops at max height.

“You no longer need to get outside the machine, you can simply sit back inside and press a button to set your upper, lower and attachment kickout very comfortably,” Kundra says. 

Proper kickout operation also saves up to 20% of bucket cutting edge life, according to Caterpillar. Rather than leaving the cab for setting, the operator remains inside the cab while setting upper, lower and attachment kickout positions at the touch of a button. Cylinder snubbing is also enabled to provide the operator with added protection.

The heart of the new cab design is the Next Generation control monitor, which offers a range of real-time machine operating information. It allows the operator to configure hydrostatic transmission response, auto engine idle shutdown and a utility powertrain mode that provides operators with a more intuitive means of controlling ground and engine speed, ideal when working with hydromechanical attachments.

New engine and powertrain

Specifically designed for Cat products, the new Cat C2.8 engine delivers the same 74-hp gross power as the previous engine with 13% more torque, which provides more power when you need it.

The Cat C2.8 meets EU Stage V and U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards with alternative emissions packages available. Its shift-on-the-go transmission offers increased roading speeds of 25 mph, and larger fuel tank capacities of 30% for the 906 and 12% for the 907 and 908 deliver extended work cycles.

When working in dusty environments, the new reversing-fan option assists in keeping cooling cores clean for more efficient temperature control. Through an in-cab soft-touch button, the system can be turned off, set to operate in an automatic mode or momentarily activated by the operator. Automatic mode uses the factory-setting to reverse direction for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. Frequency and duration of automatic reversing can be changed easily by the operator via the new control monitor, the company says.

Enhanced hydraulics and structures

To meet demand for increased multi-functionality with lift and tilt while powering hydromechanical tools, the new Next Generation wheel loaders feature a new standard pressure compensated valve, allowing operators to simultaneously control implements and operate hydromechanical attachments. Increased working auxiliary pressures make work easier and improve steering to reduce operator fatigue.

Modifications to the optional skid steer coupler improve visibility through the coupler when setting fork tines. In conjunction, realignment of the compact wheel loader fork carriage improves forward visibility. Bucket capacities have been increased across the range adding to the already impressive operating capacity legacy of the Cat machines.

“These machines can be standard flow or high flow,” Abi-Karam says. “We basically have the same flows as we had on the previous generation machines, but we’ve increased the pressure slightly. If you think about the hydraulic tools that you might use on a skid-steer loader, we have 100 series, 200 series and 300 series attachments.”