October 2025

New DX300LL-7 and DX300RB-7 join the Develon forestry lineup.

These new products offer logging professionals strength, durability and advanced features for demanding forestry and timber harvesting. These new models join the current -7 Series lineup, featuring the DX225LL-7 log loader and DX225RB-7 road builder, and deliver on all fronts with enhanced safety features, heavy-duty components and easy serviceability.

Develon-7 Series log loaders and road builders are engineered for forestry conditions to help protect uptime. They feature:

• Heavy-duty construction throughout, including robust side doors with guards over the hydraulic pump and cooling system, plus quarter-inch side panels.
• A strong front guard to shield the cab from debris.
• A fully guarded, heavy-duty high and wide undercarriage that significantly improves ground clearance over stumps and other logging site obstacles.

The log loader cab enhances both safety and efficiency, featuring a 4-foot riser. Plus, for simple trailer transport, the cab can hydraulically tilt 90 degrees. Increased tractive force improves mobility across uneven or soft terrain, even when carrying heavy loads or traveling on inclines. Plus, the fine swing function minimizes shaking when lifting, for greater control, more accuracy and safer operation. When maximum lifting power is needed, a simple press of the one-touch power boost button on the right-hand joystick brings an instant hydraulic boost. Operators can also select from four power modes to perfectly match the job at hand, boosting efficiency and conserving fuel.

The heated air-suspension seat, which easily adjusts to individual operator height and weight, comes complete with adjustable headrests and armrests and an optional 4-point seat belt for added security. For reduced fatigue and more ergonomic operation, the joystick controls move with the seat. Early mornings and late nights are no problem thanks to front and rear LED lights that significantly enhance visibility. Operators stay informed with the multifunction colour LCD monitor, which displays vital machine diagnostics and video from the standard rearview or side-mounted cameras. A hybrid screen mode lets them view both simultaneously.

Road builders can be equipped with an optional around view monitor (AVM) camera system for a dedicated display showing a full 360-degree view of the machine’s surroundings, boosting confidence in tight spaces.

For enhanced protection, an optional side-entry forestry cab is available for both log loaders and road builders. This cab is certified to Oregon OSHA and British Columbia WCB standards and features guarded polycarbonate front, side and rear windows. For even greater peace of mind, optional 32-mm polycarbonate glass is also available. Source

Volvo has a new function that can detect a tyre blowout and immediately take action to keep the truck safely on the road.

The new generation of Volvo Dynamic Steering is designed to detect a front tyre puncture and in a split second automatically mitigate the impact by assisting the driver to keep the truck on a steady course. The system reduces the side forces that a sudden loss of tire air pressure can create in the case of a flat tire.

This new function adds to the list of Volvo Dynamic Steering benefits, for instance lowering the needed steering force at low speed by 75% – a major benefit for truck drivers as it reduces stress and strain when spending long hours in the drivers’ seat. Volvo Dynamic Steering has assisted truck drivers around the world to drive effortlessly and safely ever since the first generation of the system was introduced in 2013.

When a tyre blowout occurs on a front wheel, the initial puncture and the escaping air typically cause the front wheels to steer and the vehicle to tilt which will make the vehicle deviate from its course. Without any support systems, it would be up to the driver to immediately seize control of the steering wheel to avoid an incident, however statistics shows that this is a very difficult situation to handle. Volvo Dynamic Steering can assist the driver in keeping the truck in the lane. If the system detects a front flat tyre, it does not wait for the symptom to occur – this means a more rapid reaction.

Volvo Dynamic Steering not only supports emergency situations like tyre failure, but it also helps drivers maintain effective manoeuvring, steering control, and stability under various speeds and road conditions. Volvo Dynamic Steering is designed to:

• Detect and reduce involuntary steering movements
• Automatically compensate for unevenness in the road surface and eliminate vibrations.
• Detect skidding tendencies and automatically provide light counter steering assistance to help stabilize the vehicle.
• Detect lane departures and provide gentle counter-steering and vibration alerts to the driver.
• Relieve the stress and strain on the driver’s back, neck and shoulders by reducing the need for continuous steering adjustments and corrections.

Volvo Dynamic Steering can be customized with personal settings which allows individual adjustment of steering wheel resistance and responsiveness for convenient and comfortable driving. Drivers can choose from pre-programmed settings that are designed to deliver optimal steering for different road types and situations or freely adjust different parameters for full customization. Source

The NEW R20 pick-up cl sets new standards in mulching technology for skid steer and compact loaders.

Its housing and radial rotor profiles made of high-strength, wear-resistant steel ensure exceptional durability - even under difficult operating conditions. Branches, cuttings, and harvest residues are picked up by the pick-up mulcher and processed into homogeneous mulch in a single pass, which decomposes over time. This improves soil quality in the long term, enriches the soil with valuable nutrients, and prepares it ideally for the coming cultivation cycle.

Particularly noteworthy is the innovative RIC rotor. Its special design with disc profiles and spirally arranged tools ensures optimal mulching. The rotor with carbide-tipped MINI TIP tools mulches wood with a diameter of up to 20 cm (8 in) and even more depending on conditions. The machine also handles stony ground reliably.

Bionic Feed improves the efficiency and reliability of the mulching process by adaptively feeding the material to the rotor, resulting in better processing. The pick-up rotors reliably pick up the material and feed it into the narrow space between the tool and the counter blades. The hardened Counter Cutter are the decisive detail for excellent results. There are four replaceable rows under the housing. These ensure fine and even shredding, are particularly stable and can be easily replaced if necessary. This means that the R20 pick-up cl works continuously with maximum efficiency and remains as precise as on the first day, even after intensive use.

Thanks to the standardized mounting plate in accordance with SAE standards, the mulcher can be easily attached to a skid steer or compact loader. The R20 pick-up cl operates with a flow rate of 90 to 160 l/min (20 to 35 gal/min). With the continuously adjustable Vario Flow motor, every skid steer loader is used optimally – for maximum performance in operation.

The pick-up rotors have their own hydraulic drive, which is particularly powerful and reliable thanks to the rotor's flywheel mass. With an integrated pressure relief valve and a clearly laid out dashboard with two pressure gauges, it is designed for maximum operational safety and ease of use. Connection hoses and quick couplings in accordance with ISO standards are included as standard.

The hydraulic hood opens automatically when encountering greater resistance, ensuring a smooth flow of material, while the floating function Float optimizes ground adaptation. Height-adjustable wheels also support consistent working results. Source

The machines feature new engines, improved performance and increased versatility.

The next generation Cat® 440 and 450 Backhoe Loaders feature improved machine performance, an advanced hydraulic system and increased versatility compared to previous models. Offering more operator choice and advanced machine control, these new models also feature the efficient Cat C3.6 engine and the latest Product Link™ technology.

This design transition to the new 440 and 450 backhoe loaders aligns with the next generation 416 through 430 series models in both engine platform and electronic architecture. Having similar platforms throughout the range provides more component commonality and enhanced operating similarity benefits for customers. Cat have also integrated Soft Key and Touchscreen display options, as well as a new pod-mounted joystick option, giving operators more choice over machine control. On the 450, Cat updated the design of the 4-lever hoe control option. Prior to this update, it was a mechanical linkage design and now has four electronic levers. This new electronic setup also has the ability to set response and modulation rates for the boom, stick, bucket and swing functions.

A solid performer, the Cat C3.6 engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emissions standards with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). Compared to the previous 440 design, the gross power rating increases by more than 9% to 130 hp (97 kW), while the 450 maintains its robust 145 hp (108 kW) gross power rating.

The updated models feature a load-sensing piston pump that delivers full hydraulic lifting and digging forces at any engine speed. The variable flow pump automatically adjusts hydraulic power to meet work demands, enhancing operating efficiency. Caterpillar's advanced hydraulic system allows operators to adjust the loader and backhoe auxiliary flow to match attachment specifications, program the loader bucket kickout and return-to-dig functions and enable parallel lift.

Continuing the legacy of advanced operator comfort and ergonomics on previous designs, the new 440 and 450 will still offer adjustable seat-mounted joystick controls. The controls swivel with the operator to perform loader and backhoe functions and enable Dual Mode operation, which offers efficient machine repositioning and allows the operator to sit at an angle while controlling the machine to improve visibility.

A new option for the 440 and 450 is a traditional pod-mounted joystick option that positions the advanced electronic joysticks on rear pod control towers to give operators a familiar interface. It also includes a dedicated electronic joystick for loader control that integrates a forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) rocker switch. Along with the standard FNR lever positioned on the steering column, this option gives operators more flexibility in control preferences.

Standard for all new backhoe loader canopy configurations, a new soft key display aligns with the interface used on Cat 416 – 430 models to provide a familiar and reliable interface for operators. For all cab configurations, the 440 and 450 models feature an upgraded Cat touchscreen display, enhanced with the latest intuitive interface to enable machine control customization and allow operators to achieve greater precision. The touchscreen now includes a speedometer on the home display to provide operators with real-time ground speed information.

Loader modulation and response settings on the touchscreen enable the operator to independently adjust modulation for the lift and tilt cylinders, matching machine behaviour to specific tasks like material handling with forks or other Cat attachments. For the machine’s excavator, hoe modulation and response control allow operators to independently adjust settings for each hydraulic function – swing, boom, stick and bucket – to tailor machine performance to specific preferences and job requirements. A new material handling mode delivers precise, efficient operation by reducing hoe modulation and response speed and synchronizing all hydraulic functions.

Also new for cab configurations, a convenient QR code is integrated directly into the touchscreen display, so operators can quickly access Cat Operator Training on their mobile device. Operator Training’s comprehensive library of instructional videos and guides covers key operating techniques, maintenance best practices and advanced machine features to empower operators to maximize machine performance and longevity. In-Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM) provides operators with insight into upcoming service intervals and allows them to view specific maintenance tasks and access additional information.

With the new 440 and 450 models offering adjustable auxiliary hydraulic flow, the available Integrated Tool Carrier (IT Coupler) for the loader increases machine utilization and versatility. Available from the factory or as a field-installed kit, the IT Coupler provides a quick connection to a variety of Cat attachments for fast tool changes. Beyond the IT Coupler, customers can opt for a variety of mechanical and hydraulic Cat hoe couplers, including Dual Lock Pin Grabber Couplers and Pin Lock Couplers. Source