Caterpillar has expanded its Cat Command for Loading technology to encompass all medium wheel loaders, excluding the GC models. This advanced system provides semi-autonomous, remote operation for next-generation Cat 950-982 wheel loaders, prioritizing safety and efficiency in hazardous work environments.
Cat Command for Loading allows operators to control machines remotely, removing them from potentially dangerous locations such as demolition sites, environmental remediation projects, or areas handling materials like fertilizer, sawdust, and wood chips. This remote functionality is available in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight configurations, giving users flexibility based on the demands of the job.
The technology integrates seamlessly with the loaders’ electronic and hydraulic systems, ensuring smooth and responsive operation. Operators can easily switch between remote control and manual in-cab operation, providing a versatile solution for various applications. The system comes as a dealer-installed package, featuring a low-profile design mounted on the loader’s roof that requires no welding or wire splicing.
Operators use an ergonomic console to manage essential functions like loader startup/shutdown, bucket movements, and lift/lower operations. Inputs from the console are transmitted directly to the loader’s electronics for precise and efficient performance. To enhance safety, the system includes fail-safes that halt all machine movement if an A-stop or remote shutdown switch is activated, wireless communication is lost, a severe fault is detected, or if the console tilts more than 45 degrees from its normal operating position.
For non-line-of-sight operations, the Command station enables control of multiple machines at a single site or across different locations, with operators able to manage one machine at a time from miles away. This system is also compatible with other Cat Command technologies, including those used for excavators and dozers.
By extending Cat Command for Loading to a wider range of wheel loaders, Caterpillar is advancing operator safety while maintaining productivity in demanding environments.
