Introducing 980M and 982M Cat Medium Wheel Loaders
Introducing 980M and 982M Cat Medium Wheel Loaders
For Release in North America: November 2013
Release Number: 501PR13
The new 980M and 982M Wheel Loaders have US EPA Tier 4 Final ACERT™ engines equipped with a combination of proven electronic, fuel, air and aftertreatment components. Applying proven technologies systematically and strategically lets us meet our customers’ high expectations for productivity, fuel efficiency, reliability and service life. Deep system integration results in reduced emissions, improved performance and improved fuel economy without interrupting machine performance making it seamless to operators.
New, All-Purpose 982M
The new all-purpose 982M joins the Medium Wheel Loader family. Similar to the 980K 12-ton Aggregates Handler, the 982M is a 2-pass match for larger on-highway trucks common in North America, but it is not restricted to aggregates and loose material re-handling. Design changes in the frames, linkage, hydraulics, horsepower and powertrain extend the application range of the 982M to sand and gravel and earth bank excavation and even face loading in shot rock applications. The 982M has longer standard lift arms than the 980M, making it a great rail car loader due to the higher hinge pin height. With a full range of bucket sizes and types plus other available work tools, the 982M provides a new option in this size class.
Productivity and Fuel Efficiency
The 980M and 982M powertrains both have lock-up clutch torque converters standard, have been matched with the engine power and hydraulics to improve performance and fuel efficiency. These rugged planetary transmissions have a new split-flow oil system and use new multi-viscosity oil to improve fuel economy. The 982M comes standard with the heavy duty 17-inch planetary transmission. Deep system integration of the new features and further axle and hydraulic improvements result in 10 percent lower fuel consumption on average compared to the 980K and 980K 12-ton configuration.
Changes to the axles contribute to lower fuel consumption due to lower oil levels and bevel gear shrouds, which reduce churning losses from rotating components. They also have new external caliper disc parking brakes mounted to the input shaft of the front axles. Caliper parking brakes have higher capacity than the drum brakes used on the 980K. Since they are external, they do not have the inefficiencies of enclosed wet parking brakes due to brake discs running in oil, nor is there any oil to change. The results are reduced fuel and maintenance costs. External caliper parking brakes are easily accessible for inspection and service.
The 980M and 982M hydraulic systems also have significant design changes. The main hydraulic valve is now a mono-block with an integrated ride control section. The mono-block design reduces weight, has 40 percent fewer leak points and is common across all M Series models. The new ride control system now has two accumulators, which enables it to be more effective over a greater payload range, increasing productivity and operator efficiency. An auxiliary third hydraulic function can be easily added at the factory or in the field with the addition of a second remote valve.
The 982M has larger lift and tilt cylinders than the 980M due to the new longer lift arms for the larger payloads it is designed to handle.
The hydraulic service center for the 980M and 982M is now virtually identical to the rest of the M Series product line. This new consistent layout makes it easier for service technicians who work on a variety of M Series models. Fuel tanks on the 980M and 982M have been relocated under the engine similar to the other M Series models. This enabled the electronic service centers on the 980M and 982M to be the same layout and location as the other M Series models. It also enabled the left-hand steps to be angled more for easier ingress and egress.
Hydraulic system components on the 980M and 982M are protected by full flow and kidney-loop filtration. A filter in the hydraulic tank return line filters all of the oil returning to the tank. There is also a case drain screen for additional protection and finally, a separate kidney-loop filter with a finer micron rating continuously filters smaller particles out of the system. This multilevel design ensures the hydraulic oil is clean and thoroughly protects the rest of the hydraulic system from contamination. A new thermal bypass valve has been added to improve hydraulic system warm-up.
Operator Efficiency
Improving operator efficiency remains a key design goal for the 980M and 982M. Ensuring operators are safe, confident in control of their machines and have clean, comfortable and quiet operating environments with controls that are intuitive and low effort, all contribute to lower operator fatigue and better performance.
A switch has been added to the electronic service center for unlatching the door remotely. The gas strut then swings the door open all while the operator is safely on the ground. The angle of the steps up to the cab has been increased to an optimal 15 degrees, which enables operators to walk up as if they were using stairs rather than climbing more vertically. Grab handles have been repositioned so a secure three points of contact can be maintained at all times.
Once in the cab, the new door securely seals against the new roll formed ROPS posts and the lower glass panel has been extended several inches to improve visibility to the left side of the machine. Operator and exterior sound pressure/power levels for the 980M and 982M are 72 and 112 dBA respectively. New larger convex mirrors improve visibility to the rear and integrated spot mirrors provide visibility close to both sides of the machine.
A new multipurpose color touch screen display dramatically simplifies the operator interface; with machine controls, rearview camera and a new Cat Connect Solutions feature known as Cat Production Measurement. Intuitive navigation with in-language text enables operators to modify certain machine parameters and monitor machine conditions literally at the touch of a finger. Some controls have been relocated to this new display eliminating the need for additional switches and controls; reducing cab clutter.
Cat Production Measurement enables operators and managers to access machine data including payload, fuel consumption, engine idle time and operating hours. With this information, both the operator and the manager are able to monitor productivity from the cab and in the office. Cat Connect Solutions makes smart use of technology and services to monitor, manage and enhance operations to gain more control of the jobsite.