In 1984, Caterpillar, Eder and Zeppelin Baumaschinen, the Cat dealer in Germany, introduced a new wheeled excavator line, offering four models under the Cat Eder brand. Eight years later, the line became a 100% Cat product with a designated wheel excavator team. Twenty-eight years later, in 2012, Caterpillar celebrated production of its 25,000th wheel excavator. This year, Caterpillar announces production of its 50,000th wheel excavator, a Cat M318 Next Gen model, adding another 25,000 units to the total in just 11 years.
Europe and South Korea were among the first adopters of this new solution. However, the combination of speed, power, versatility and ability to operate a wide range of hydraulic tools has the Cat Wheel Excavator line growing in popularity in China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North America and other world markets. Starting with only four models, today’s expanded Cat wheel excavator line includes eight models – Cat M314 to M322 – for markets with higher emissions regulations, one model – M315 GC – for China, three models – M315 to M320D2 –for those adhering to lower emissions standards, the M323F railroad-specific model, and four materials handlers from the MH3022 to MH3040.
During a ceremony held on June 22, 2023, at the Caterpillar facility in Grenoble, France, representatives from Caterpillar and Zeppelin presented the 50,000th commemorative Cat M318 to representatives from Wolff & Müller Holding GmbH & Co. KG. On hand to receive the machine from the contractor were Torsten Schuckert, Head of Logistics Service Unit, and Siegfried Cammerer, Manager of Machine and Device Technology Service Unit Logistics.
