Updates From the Fall Event Season

The Equipment Today team enjoyed attending several trade shows and media events this fall.

December 13, 2023

Editor-in-Chief Lori Ditoro with Caterpillar's Johanna Kelly

Caterpillar

Fall is the busy season for construction trade shows and other events. This year has seen the same activity. In September and the beginning of October, our team attended the BOMAG Innovation Days in Boppard, Germany; The Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky; and a Caterpillar media event in Peoria, Illinois.

Innovation Days

Lori Ditoro and Jessica Lombardo get ready for the BOMAG demos.During BOMAG’s Innovation Days in September, Jessica Lombardo, content director, marketing services, AC Business Media, and I got to see equipment during live demos of several paving and milling machines doing real work. This equipment included:

BM 1000/35 Milling Machine
Several rollers and pavers
BC 773 RB-5, which dramatically crushed three cars at the end of the demo event (check out the video)

We also attended presentations discussing BOMAG’s history and looking to the future.

Media Event

I enjoyed a Caterpillar media event and product launch the first week of October. The event featured the unveiling of the 255 and 265 Compact Track Loaders (CTLs). These CTLs are a ground-up redesign of the previous series. The new 255 and 265 loaders are powered by Cat C2.8T and Cat C2.8TA engines respectively, which offer 74.3 horsepower (55.4 kW).Editor-in-Chief Lori Ditoro with Caterpillar's Johanna KellyCaterpillar

In addition, the next-generation CTLs deliver improved lift height and a safer and more comfortable cab. The larger cab design has 22% more overall volume and 26% additional foot space. With a 2.75-inch (70-millimeter) increased interior width, the new cab expands footwell-to-ceiling height by 1.8 inches (46 millimeters) and allows for an additional 1.5 inches (40 millimeters) of hip room and 1.1 inches (28 millimeters) more width between the joysticks.

New mechanical and air-ride suspension seat options are available, including a seat that is ventilated and heated. New auto temperature control plus vent outlet positioning above the operator helps the new HVAC system cool the cab’s interior.

During a Q&A panel of operators who field tested the new equipment, most indicated that the improvements to the cab have improved operator morale and improved productivity. In some examples, productivity was doubled.

A couple of operators said that they can't get their people out of the CTLs.Lori Ditoro tries out the 265 CTL cab.Caterpillar