Veteran operators of big machines will remember what it took to run a bulldozer back in the day. Today’s machines are a far cry from those early earth-movers, and Caterpillar has launched more innovations for its smaller D1 to D3 machines. In addition, ahead of a major European equipment show, the company announced new electric machines, including one in a popular size for farms.

The D1 to D3 dozer line at Caterpillar is a popular series, and some earlier models can be found on farms. If you’re in the market for one of these new machines, you’ll find they offer innovations that make operation simpler even for less-skilled users.

During a virtual event announcing the updates, Cat highlighted its new Technology Package, including Cat Command, which is a remote control system option.

With the Technology Package, the new-model dozers get the following features:

Finally, the new machines feature a remote-control-ready option that simplifies dealer installation of Cat Command for dozing. This feature allows the dozers to be remotely operated from a safe distance to eliminate safety risks in potentially dangerous applications.

Going electric

The new dozers have a range of new features, but for Bauma 2022, a major equipment show based in Germany, the conversation is turning to low-carbon operation. As part of this event, Cat is showing off four electric machine prototypes and battery prototypes that could be used by other manufacturers to power machines.

The four machine prototypes on hand including the 301.9 mini excavator, 320 medium excavator and 950 GC medium wheel loader, and perhaps of interest to farmers is the 906 compact wheel loader. The conventional 906 has been popular in agriculture and has features focused on farmer needs.

The machines are powered by Caterpillar battery prototypes and include an onboard AC charger. The company will also offer an offboard DC fast-charging option.

Those batteries will also be available to power other industrial applications. The lithium-ion battery range features a modular design with flexible configurations across multiple applications. The models shown at Bauma include 48-volt, 300-volt and 600-volt designs for the off-highway industry.

Europe has focused on reducing carbon from off-highway equipment, and the display of these prototype products in Germany fits the market, but Caterpillar is planning a global launch of machines when ready for market. In its announcement, Cat expects the 301.9 mini-excavator and the 906 compact wheel loader to be the first commercially available models. No official timetable was announced.