Excavator range extended
Bobcat have introduced the 12.5-tonne 444 excavator that features a short radius design and an offset-pivot boom to provide more freedom of movement and flexibility in confined spaces. The 444 is fitted with rubber tracks to minimize ground disturbance, although steel tracks are available as an option.
The 444 can be equipped with a range of trenching buckets with widths of 350–1,000mm and capacities of 130–450 litres. The transmission is based around a two-stage variable-displacement hydrostatic motor that, with full power-shift, provides two speed ranges in both forward and reverse directions — 0–2.7km/h and 0–5.4km/h.
Equipped with a monobloc boom, the 444 has a height to bucket pin of 6.30m and a maximum digging depth of 4.33m. The 444 is also available in a two-piece articulated-boom version with a 6.92m height to bucket pin and a maximum digging depth of 4.51m.
The 2,500mm wide dozer blade, which has a slope angle of 35°, provides 400mm lift below ground and 500mm lift above ground. The uppercarriage front-swing radius on the monobloc version is 2,620mm and the tail swing is 1,370mm.
In the hydraulic system, an axial piston pump with load sensing, coupled with a load-independent flow division system offers simultaneous, independent control of all movements. The main hydraulic pump capacity is 158 litres/min and the maximum working pressure is 350 bar.
The insulated, full-vision cab offers a low working sound level with the operator located in a cushioned comfort seat fitted with armrests and longitudinal, height and backrest adjustments.
