Caterpillar adds joystick option to next-gen Cat 140 motor grader

Caterpillar has introduced a joystick control option to their next generation Cat 140 motor grader. The new model features all the hallmarks of the next generation design – efficiency, productivity, operator comfort and increased uptime – while the control option allows customers to choose either joystick (JOY) or lever/steering wheel (LVR) configuration when ordering their vehicle.

Compared to the lever and steering configuration, Caterpillar’s easy-to-learn joystick controls reduce hand and arm movements, which can help reduce operator fatigue for improved productivity. The ergonomical three-axis joysticks place transmission, up/down gear shifting and machine direction control in the left joystick, while the right controls drawbar, circle and mouldboard functions, along with electronic throttle control and manual differential lock/unlock functions.

Cat JOY motor graders also boast industry-exclusive ‘follow steer,’ which allows the front wheels to follow joystick input. Joystick control, combined with the 140’s new 9-forward-speed transmission with finish gear, provides smooth operation in final passes and curbs.

“Rather than having separate JOY or LVR models for the next generation 140, customers will choose between joystick or lever steering configurations, similar to other options like tandem or all-wheel-drive, technologies and attachments,” said Pablo dos Santos, Caterpillar global product application specialist.

“Flexibility and versatility have been hallmarks of the 140 motor grader, and customers throughout the years have proven the machine’s usefulness has few limits. Its narrow, 98.9-inch (2512mm) width simplifies transport, and its power and performance make it an efficient machine for a range of applications from snow clearing and grading to roadbuilding and ditching.”

Key to safety and efficiency, the next generation cab design provides excellent visibility from the operating area. Angled doors, a tapered engine closure, and sloped rear window to make it easy to see the mouldboard and tyres, as well as behind the motor grader. A standard rearview camera enhances the operator’s view to the machine’s rear, with the feed displayed on the 10-inch (254mm) touchscreen monitor.

Optional integrated smart cameras and a bird’s-eye 360-degree view of the in-cab display, along with Cat Detect – People Detection, alert the operator when someone enters the grader’s hazard zone. These provide a comprehensive view of the machine and task at hand for increased jobsite safety.

Other notable features on the new 140 motor grader include an in-cab display that provides operators with access to a host of expanded next generation technology. The new 140 can be shipped Cat Grade 3D Ready with a machine-integrated grade control system to help operators cut to grade faster with more accuracy, efficiency and productivity. Automatic blade control reduces operator input and the number of passes required to complete the job, saving time and money. With Position Sensing Shift Cylinder (PSC), E-fence avoidance and two IMU sensors to simplify mastless upgrades, Cat Cross Slope Assist enables the operator to manually control one mouldboard end, while the system controls the other.

Dos Santos adds that the new 140 provides improved balance of power-to-weight ratio with excellent fuel economy: “We have much field data collected on the 140 so far with multiple field machines being evaluated around the world, logging more than 40,000 hours to date.”

The motor grader’s design and reliability can help lower operating costs and fuel consumption. Grouped and centralised service points, along with extended synchronised service intervals, save on daily maintenance time.

More information on the new Cat 140 JOY joystick motor grader can be found by contacting your Cat dealer or visiting cat.com.