Caterpillar recently executed an alliance agreement with Exodus Machines Incorporated for the design and supply of material handlers to be sold and supported exclusively by Cat® dealers. These Exodus machines will be available immediately in North America and will complement Caterpillar’s current line of wheel and track material handlers greater than 27.5 tons (25 metric tons). These products will initially continue to carry the Exodus brand name but will transition to the Cat brand in 2013.
The alliance agreement follows Caterpillar’s recent formation of a new strategic business unit, the Caterpillar Industrial & Waste Group, which has global responsibility for serving customers in these markets. The new group is part of the Diversified Products Division, led by Bill Springer, vice president of Caterpillar.
“We are pleased to be working with Exodus to meet customers’ material handler needs,” Springer said. “Bringing together Exodus’ intense focus on material handlers and their innovative designs with our unmatched distribution and product support capabilities, the alliance creates a force that will serve customers well.”
Exodus Machines, based in Superior, Wis., was incorporated only three years ago and is now known for its innovative designs. Each of the company’s material handlers features an industry exclusive cab that lowers to the ground for easy ingress and egress and maintenance access. The wheel machines also feature independent planetary wheel drive for true all-wheel-drive.
“It’s rewarding for our entire team to have Caterpillar acknowledge the value that the machines we developed bring to customers,” said Bruce Bacon, founder of Exodus and now president of the company. “And it’s exciting that our company will continue growing to serve an industry that we are passionate about.”
In support of the alliance agreement, Caterpillar acquired a minority equity interest in a new entity, Exodus Machines, LLC, formed by Exodus. In addition, Exodus plans to expand manufacturing in the Superior area and is working to secure working capital and capital funding, developing plant layouts, assessing building sites and estimating needs for new employees.
According to Springer, “These machines will fit into an opening we had in our product lineup. The material handling industry is moving from track machines to wheeled material handlers and the Exodus machines will more than meet the market needs.”
The initial product offering consists of two machines that are designed to do one thing well – move material. Exodus engineers along with its suppliers, have created a mechanical orchestra of sorts where all the components and systems work together to enhance the capabilities of the others. Being purpose built is the only way this can be done to the fullest extent.
The machines have interesting characteristics that set them apart for others. For example, the cab can be lowered to the ground to allow the operator safe access and egress. Brusc Bacon, president and founder of Exodus says, “Safety is one our primary concerns. In designing these machines we asked operators, owners and mechanics what they wanted in a piece of equipment and built according to what they said.”
Another interesting feature is its regenerative hydraulic system that makes use of gravity and energy to give the hydraulic system its power while saving on operating costs through low fuel consumption. Other notable features include: IQAN machine monitoring and controls; Exodus software engineers write the machine’s programs in house which means they can customize operating parameters, controls and machine functions to meet specific needs of a particular job or application. The Material handlers ride on 59″ wheels have 4 independent planetary drives with true all-wheel-drive; high clearance undercarriage with completely protected components; extensive auto-lube system; proprietary hydraulic controllers with Bosch Rexroth pumps; large comfortable cab with AC and tinted glass. Exodus is American made with American parts.
Take a look at the how the cab makes it safe and easy to get in and out of: