It seems like quite a while ago that we tested a Cat machine so we are all ears when Terra Cat territory account manager, Mark Costello, tells us what they’ve changed in this new Next Gen 568.
“We basically redesigned everything. New engine, new pump, new control system, all hoses are out of the cab now, new rear-entry cab, new windscreen design which you will see is amazing, more track power, dual slew motors… the list goes on.”
Arriving at McCormick Logging’s operation is like driving into the Cat Army – they’re everywhere – loading, shovelling, stacking and processing.
Since we last tested a Cat in 2021 there have been some good improvements right across the board, starting with a 10% increase in production via increased horsepower (347HP), swing power and track power. They have added a Heavy Lift mode to increase pressures when you need an additional boost for bigger timber. That will give you 10% more swing power too from the already grunty dual slew motors. Although it’s hard to gauge if you would need it here, as when I suggested to Iron Tester, Denis Todd, that this would be a Great shovelling machine he said, “Nah, way too big!”. Maybe he hasn’t shovelled in a 20 tonner lately.
At close to 54 tonnes with the Woodsman head on it, this machine is definitely designed to get in amongst it with the big boys.
The Cat 9.3B engine is nine percent more powerful than the previous version, and can run on biodiesel up to B20(%) and other renewable fuels if required, or if there are no after treatment devices it can use a higher blend up to 100% biodiesel but, of course, this is best discussed with Terra Cat first.
The engineers at Caterpillar have made a five percent reduction in fuel consumption via their electrohydraulic control system to micromanage every drop of that valuable diesel as it powers the huge 581LPM hydraulic pump.
Also in the speed department there is an increase of 14% in travel speed compared to the 2020 version of the 568, up to 4.3km per hour which will no doubt come in handy when walking between several skids each day as they do here.
The crew is logging a 28-year-old stand of well-formed but untended radiata less than a kilometre from the Kaingaroa Processing Plant (KPP) otherwise known as ‘The Webb’. Pretty much in the middle of Kaingaroa Forest.
There is a busy little Bell Ultra fleeting and grading the road several times during our visit to keep it in smooth condition and a Komatsu running a tethered felling machine down the slope about 150 metres away.
Thoughtful designs
Climbing up to the rear-entry cab is done off to the side and behind where a smaller machine’s fuel tank would normally be, and one of the first things that catches the eye is the cleanliness of the hydraulic valve bank and dual slew motor area. It’s basically spotless and you can see that careful design has ensured those difficult-to-clean areas have been...
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