Caterpillar debuted UTVs at its training facility Nov. 16 in Peoria, Illinois.
Two versions of the UTV will be available for purchase in the summer of 2018. The CUV82 features a standard cab with a gas engine. The vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 45 mph. The gas model features a Chery engine. A diesel version, the CUV102D, can reach a maximum speed of 25 mph, built with a Kohler engine. Both vehicles have a 2,000-lb. towing capacity and 1,000-lb. cargo capacity.
A push from customers prompted Caterpillar to begin designing the utility vehicle.
“We were hearing from our dealers that customers would love to have a UTV,” said Norma Aldinger, commercial supervisor for Caterpillar UTVs. “But they wanted it to look like a CAT, and be CAT tough.”
Caterpillar also wanted to appeal to new customers who were looking for a work vehicle solution.
“We’re seeing a growing trend now,” Aldinger said. “People are starting to replace their trucks with these UTVs for convenience.”
Caterpillar used the same designers who work on their other equipment to ensure the UTV met customer expectations.
The UTVs feature steel beds and wide cabins to fit operators more comfortably. With the UTV launch, Caterpillar will offer more than 50 accessories.
Campbell Lowman, product engineer for Caterpillar, said there will be accessories offered to allow operators to fully enclose the cab with soft roofs and doors, as well as hard tops and more durable doors. Windshield options will include full plastic coverage and half-windshields.
Other optional accessories include a Bluetooth radio with speakers, a heater pack option and task lights.
From the operator’s seat, a column shifter and power steering were included to give the UTV a more familiar truck-feel. The seats and steering wheel are adjustable to accommodate a variety of operators.
Caterpillar’s goal was to make the machine intuitive enough for any operator to figure out the controls in 30 seconds.
With a focus on safety, built-in features can set speed limits on vehicles. The machine won’t operate over 10 mph unless the seatbelt has been fastened.
For larger crews, Caterpillar announced they will be launching a crew version of the UTVs, with two rows of seating in fall of 2018. The UTVs were developed in collaboration with Textron Specialized Vehicles.
