The 45.2-ton Cat 745 articulated truck unveiled last week at the company’s ConExpo booth is visibly different from its predecessors, and features a new external “spinal” ROPS that uses bonded rear quarter glass, thus eliminating the structural rear pillar. The result: what Cat calls a “dramatic improvement in visibility from the cab.” The 745 is also the first Cat machine that will no longer carry a suffix; instead, Cat will note changes by model year.
“Our focus has been on the operator with the 745,” says Scott Thomas, Cat applications specialist, articulated trucks. “It’s a completely new cab, with 20 percent more interior space than the previous model.”
Operators can now flip a ground-level switch to illuminate the steps and hitch areas for increased safety when entering the cab. A “wake up” cab feature initiates machine displays as soon as an operator opens the door and a lighter, stronger cab door has shut assist for improved sealing against dust infiltration. Inside sound levels have been reduced 5 decibels at the operator’s ear. “It’s now similar to driving a mid-size sedan,” Thomas says.
Manitowoc marked its first ConExpo since establishing itself as a standalone crane company in a big way: according to president and chief executive officer Barry Pennypacker, of the company’s 12 cranes on display at the show, eight were developed in the last six months.
“The remaining four, were developed in the last year,” Pennypacker added. “We’re a different crane company and we plan to treat our customers that way.”
