Caterpillar may well be a giant in industrial terms, but, despite having been on the UK agricultural telehandler scene since 1989, the company’s TH handler models have failed to make much of a dent in a sector dominated by the likes of JCB, Manitou and Merlo. Will the new Cat TH D series change all that?

Take a flick through profi back issues to seek out a Cat telehandler driving impression and you will end up with a fair deal of printer’s ink on your hand. Our last driving impression was of the then recently launched TH407 (profi 11/09). Caterpillar, however, is now showing a much keener interest in the ag sector and, starting from the higher capacity end, redesigning its machines with an eager eye on farm applications. Though by no means poorly suited to ag use, the outgoing TH C series, with lift and reach capacities spanning 3,300 to 3,700kg and 6.0 to 7.0m, were sized to suit end users looking for a larger machine with the stability to handle heavy loads at full reach … but with just the four models to choose from. For some, there was a considerable reach and capacity hole in the Caterpillar offering.

Now take a look at the all-new five-model Cat TH D series, which includes two additional reach and capacity handlers at the top and bottom of the range. The entry-level model is now the TH306D with nominal 3.0t capacity, 6.0m lift height. At the other end of the scale is the TH3510D we look at here, this having a 3.5t capacity and a nominal 10m lift. Those familiar with the outgoing TH C series will note that the 4.0t TH407C has been ousted by the 4.0t TH408D, which boasts a hike in lift height to 8.0m (see table on p33).

Thankfully, Caterpillar continues to employ its simple model naming system, with TH for telehandler, the numbers outliningnominal capacity and lift height. Where you do not have any clues, though, is engine hp. Here the new D series comes, as before, with a choice of three engines, but they are now compliant with the latest EU Stage IV/US EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards.

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