At this yr’s Public Works Expo, Caterpillar launched its new Cat 140 Lever Motor Grader (140 LVR), giving attendees a primary have a look at a machine designed to merge conventional operator preferences with cutting-edge know-how.
“This machine is an all-new floor up design for us,” mentioned Eric Kohout, product utility specialist for motor graders at Caterpillar, throughout a reside interview on the firm’s sales space.
“It’s at the moment a lever machine, however we even have a joystick providing as nicely. The cab and controls are totally different, however loads of the content material on the remainder of the machine is frequent between them.”
Versatility in Operation
The 140 LVR has been engineered with versatility in thoughts. Prospects can configure the grader with both rear tandem drive or all-wheel drive, relying on jobsite wants. The machine is appropriate with a number of entrance attachments, together with dozer blades, snow plows, and entrance scarifiers.
Eric Kohout giving a product stroll round at PWX2025.Brandon Noel
For public works professionals, who make up the core customers of the 140, this enhanced flexibility is the important thing.
“Sure, this dimension is type of the candy spot for municipalities and counties,” Kohout defined.
The corporate’s press launch echoed that time, noting that the 140’s power-to-weight ratio supplies, “a ‘candy spot’ power-to-weight ratio with glorious gas consumption charges.”
Upkeep Made Easy
Lowering downtime has been a transparent precedence. The brand new “Excessive Efficiency circle” replaces conventional shims and sneakers with an excavator-style bearing, eliminating the necessity for frequent changes.
“There isn’t any want for shimming or centering that circle beneath the draw bar,” Kohout defined. “That’s all actually gone away. Aside from greasing, there’s no upkeep.”
Serviceability enhancements proceed all through the machine: bolt-on rippers, outboard articulation cylinders, grouped filters, barrel-hinged engine doorways, and repositioned DEF elements.
“We’re attempting to make it simpler for technicians to have the ability to do service and maintenance, and hold these machines going,” Kohout mentioned.
Based on Caterpillar’s launch, the 140 LVR additionally advantages from, “prolonged and synchronized upkeep intervals plus centralized service factors,” which they imagine will considerably enhance uptime.
Subsequent Technology Cab and Operator Consolation
Inside, the machine introduces the next-gen cab which ought to already acquainted from the Cat 120 mannequin. Visibility has been a serious design focus. The rear C-pillar has been shifted behind the operator, creating uninterrupted aspect and rear views.
“The largest factor right here for operators is visibility,” Kohout defined. “Individuals making passes and backing up in alleys now have glorious visibility. We’re simply opening up that working envelope.”
Different operator-friendly upgrades embody:
- A quieter, brushless HVAC system positioned overhead for higher airflow.
- New heated and ventilated seat choices.
- Sliding aspect home windows and redesigned doorways that resist wind swing and are simpler to launch.
- An up to date transmission with 9 speeds, including a slower gear to cut back inching pedal use.
Know-how Prepared!
Even in its lever configuration, the 140 LVR is wired for superior grade management. Cat Product Hyperlink and VisionLink telematics come commonplace, enabling real-time monitoring and pushing upkeep intervals on to the operator’s show.
Kohout highlighted the advantages of built-in grade know-how. The grader additionally consists of elective 3D built-in massless methods, Cat Grade Cross Slope Help, and the Steady Blade anti-bounce function, making it interesting to each seasoned operators and people nonetheless constructing their expertise.
“What operators completely love is they will give attention to their work,” he mentioned. “They’re not fearful about these masts catching on bushes or limiting moldboard angles. Now they will do slope work, excessive financial institution work, and nonetheless have a grade system all the time accessible.”
Security and Situational Consciousness
Security enhancements embody LED lights as commonplace and a full array of digital camera packages. Patrons can select between rear-only, front-and-rear, or full 360-degree digital camera methods with people-detection alerts. This factor has cameras pointed in each course, and what that ends in, is a safer machine for the operators, in addition to these on the bottom.
“We actually have a 360 digital camera setup so you’ll be able to see all the best way across the machine,” Kohout defined. “If somebody’s behind you, the system places a field round them and offers you an audible alert.”
The press launch reinforces this, noting the, “built-in elective rear, entrance, and 360-degree-vision cameras, enhanced visibility and redesigned HVAC system and seat adjustment choices within the cab”.
Match for Municipalities, Rental Fleets, and Contractors
The 140 Motor Grader has lengthy been a staple for public companies and rental
“Through the years, clients have proven that the 140’s usefulness and suppleness have few limits,” mentioned Pablo dos Santos, Caterpillar world product utility specialist, in a press launch. “Its body lends itself to simple transportation, and its energy and efficiency have seen it put to work in all the things from snow clearance to grading operations”.
As Caterpillar prepares the 140 LVR for its launch, the message is obvious: this subsequent technology grader is designed with the operators, technicians, and fleet managers in thoughts
