CONEXPO Cometh: New Cat E Series Hammers Hit Hard (Video)

Before CONEXPO even starts, Caterpillar has the full attention of the trade press. Over 50 journalists are sitting in the Caesars Palace Neapolitan Ballroom right now in Las Vegas, discussing Cat’s many new products to be released at this giant construction trade show.

On the compact side, the company is heavily promoting skid steers, track loaders and mini excavators it released at GIE+EXPO last November – all cool stuff you can read about here. But Cat is also releasing cool new products like its four E Series Hammer models – the H110Es, H115Es, H120Es and H130E — for use on small and medium excavators and the Cat 450E backhoe loader. E Series Hammers are wholly designed, engineered and manufactured by Caterpillar, making Caterpillar the only global hammer and carrier manufacturer. Not too shabby.

“This is the first 100 percent Caterpillar hammer,” said Tom Munch, product and application specialist for hammers, in the press conference. “It’s designed, engineered and manufactured in a brand new 75,000-square foot facility in Waco, Texas.”

E Series Hammers feature a new symmetrical housing design, which allows rotating the housing 180 degrees to compensate for wear, effectively extending the life of the housing. The lower portion incorporates “rock edges” that add protection to the housing in abusive applications. And an optional wear package is available to further enhance hammer durability in severe applications.

The new housing is built for strength and lowers life cycle costs. A sleek, curved front and back profile eliminates stress points and transfers forces to the bottom of the hammer. One-piece side plates eliminate the center joint and weld. The hammers are fully supported by Cat dealers so that customers can work with a single organization for machine and work tool parts and service.

“It also has a Cat look,” said Munch. “Physically, it looks different than proceeding models – especially the design of the housing – plus it’s 100 percent rotatable.”

E Series hammers build on proven D Series features, such as automatic shutoff, which instantly stops the hammer when the tool breaks through material. The system increases hammer reliability and durability by eliminating the high internal stresses created by blank firing. Another feature continued in each E Series hammer is the external pressure control valve, which reduces service time when an adjustment is necessary. Sound suppression is standard for environmental protection and improved operator comfort.

Caterpillar hammer settings are preprogrammed in Cat excavator tool control systems for easy set up. The oil flow and pressure are fully adjustable in the tool control program. Also, actual hammer working hours can be recorded for routine maintenance purposes.

The new hammers are matched to the Cat 311 through 336 track and wheel excavators and the 450E backhoe loader. Mounting brackets are available for Cat couplers. The four E Series hammers are manufactured in Caterpillar’s new Waco, Texas, plant, and they replace the H100s, H115s, H120Cs and H130s.   

Here’s a video of the new H110E in action. Enjoy.