Posted by Brooke Just
Built to withstand difficult demolition of tall structures, the new Cat 340 UHD Ultra High demolition excavator offers more than 13 percent higher pin height than the 340F UHD to reach up to eight-floor structures. More UHD and retrofit boom/stick configurations, along with a range of Cat demolition attachments, deliver increased machine flexibility to meet contractors’ jobsite needs to maximize machine utilization. Its unique coupling system allows for switching between two UHD fronts and retrofit booms and sticks with no special tools in 15 minutes.
Design updates have increased transportation simplicity of the 340 UHD excavator. The hydraulically actuated variable-gauge undercarriage is built to deliver both stability and efficient transport by offering a 13 foot4 inch (4000 mm) extended width that retracts to only 9 feet10 inches (3000 mm) with 24 inch (600 mm) track shoes for transport. A new one-piece cradle design, compared to two-piece on the 340F UHD, reduces UHD boom transportation height to less than 9 feet10 inches (3000 mm).
The new 340 UHD allows for the sticks to be configured with Cat couplers to optimize machine versatility and productivity. With two UHD front options available, the 72 feet2 inch (22 m) front offers a maximum 8,160 pounds (3.7-ton) weight at stick pin and maximum horizontal reach of 44 feet5 inches (13.55 m) at stick nose over the front and side of the machine. Working with a 7,280 pound (3.3 ton) maximum weight at stick pin, the 82 feet (25 m) front offers a 43 foot 9 inch (13.33 m) maximum reach at stick nose over the front and side of the machine. It matches the line of Cat Multi-Processors, specifically the MP332 and MP324.
The hydraulic boom lines are quickly connected/disconnected by hand and without special tools, allowing the UHD front to be switched to the Retrofit boom in a matter of minutes. Contractors can choose between one- or two-piece boom options for high-productivity truck loading or low-level demolition work. Three stick options are available at lengths of 9 feet 2 inches (2.8), 10 feet6 inches (3.2 m) and 12 feet10 inches (3.9 m), providing ultimate flexibility for maximum machine utilization. Standard Cat Payload provides on-the-go weighing and real-time estimates of the payload so operators can achieve precise load targets when working with the one piece Retrofit boom.
Rated at 311 hp (232 kW), the U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final Cat C9.3B engine powering the new 340 UHD excavator runs on either diesel or biodiesel fuel up to B20 to meet jobsite requirements. Three engine power modes—power, smart and eco—match the machine to job needs to significantly lower fuel consumption over the 340F UHD. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power requirements, providing maximum power output when needed and reducing power on less demanding tasks to save fuel. A new high-efficiency hydraulic reversing fan cools the engine on demand to also help reduce fuel consumption.
Operators efficiently navigate machine configuration and operating parameters on the new 10-inch (254-mm) high-resolution touchscreen monitor. Viewed through the new monitor, the Cat active stability monitoring system continuously informs operators if the work tool is positioned within the safe working range and provides audible and visual warning alerts when approaching the stability limit. Ranging from 1.5 to 100 percent, the stability ratio side bar changes length and color from green to yellow to red, depending on the ratio.
Built to comfortably accommodate operators of all sizes, the width of the new premium heated and cooled seat has been increased by 5 percent over previous designs. Its new left-hand tilt-up console helps to improve ingress/egress up to 45 percent. Operators can program machine operating settings, including the joystick button controls, and the system stores each setting, based on the operator ID.
The 340 UHD features a 30-degree tilt-up cab design for more productive demolition and a comfortable sight line without neck strain when working on eight-floor buildings. For better visibility of the tool when working at height, the UHD front is work tool camera ready. The demolition cab is equipped with falling object guard structure, and front and roof P5A, 0.4 inch (10-mm) laminated glass for safety. The windshield and roof glass feature one-piece parallel wipers with three intermittent settings with washer spray. Standard rearview and sideview cameras provide enhanced visibility of the operating area on the in-cab monitor. A 360-degree bird’s eye camera system is optional.
For more information about the new Cat 340 UHD Ultra High Demolition excavator, contact your local Cat dealer or visit www.cat.com.
