Next-gen Cat Articulated Trucks Redefine Power, Safety and Operator Control
Caterpillar has once again raised the bar in heavy equipment innovation with its next generation Cat® Articulated Trucks. These advanced haulers are designed with built-in automatic systems that boost performance, elevate safety, and simplify operation, making them the most intuitive and efficient trucks ever to leave the production line.
At the heart of this redesign is an operator-focused cab featuring a sleek touchscreen interface complemented by a tactile jog dial and keypad controls. Operators can manage every function from this central hub, offering precision and convenience in one seamless experience. The new interface reflects Caterpillar’s ongoing mission to merge technology with practicality, ensuring that every feature adds measurable value on the jobsite.
Performance powered by the Cat C13 engine
The beating heart of these machines is the new Cat C13 engine, offering power ratings from 257 to 316 kW (345 to 424 hp) depending on the model. Built for global compliance, the engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V, Japan 2014, and Korea Stage V emission standards. With a compact, lightweight design and no need for exhaust gas recirculation, it delivers power and efficiency in equal measure.
Caterpillar’s engineering team has crafted an engine that doesn’t just perform, it endures. Designed for diverse climates and conditions, it’s capable of reliable operation across mining, quarrying, and infrastructure projects around the world. The extended service intervals for the transmission and engine further cut downtime, ensuring machines stay productive longer.
Intelligent traction and control
These new models bring a wealth of automated safety and performance systems into play. The advanced automatic traction control requires no operator input, optimising grip and stability in challenging underfoot conditions. Meanwhile, the automatic retarder control (ARC) works in harmony with the new engine overspeed control to automatically manage braking and engine speed.
This smart integration improves handling, especially when descending slopes or navigating tricky terrain, instilling confidence even in newer operators. Machine speed limiting lets operators set safe speeds in areas with strict site rules, uneven ground, or dense traffic. Safety is also enhanced by a body height limiter that prevents over-raising, ensuring compliance with site-specific clearance regulations.
Redefining payload performance
Caterpillar’s latest 725, 730, and 735 models feature a newly redesigned dump body engineered for maximum payload efficiency. The new body design offers smoother loading, better weight distribution, and incorporates a rerouted exhaust heat system to reduce material carryback, cutting down on clean-up time and boosting productivity.
Improved payload technology gives operators real-time insights through an integrated display, while external indicator lights notify loading personnel when the rated payload is nearing or reached. This live data helps reduce overloading risks and ensures each haul is optimised for maximum efficiency.
Built-in safety that thinks ahead
Safety sits at the centre of the next generation Cat trucks. Caterpillar’s signature Dynamic Rollover Protection, coupled with the proven Stability Assist system, prevents hoisting on uneven ground and monitors lateral acceleration to reduce rollover risks. If instability is detected, the system automatically applies the brakes, cuts fuel supply, and alerts the operator visually and audibly.
The VisionLink® integration adds another layer of insight, allowing managers to view and analyse rollover data to improve operator training and site layout. It’s this data-driven approach that positions Caterpillar as an industry leader in safety innovation.
Another standout feature is the Auto Wait Brake (AWB), which applies service brakes automatically when the machine comes to a stop, removing the need for operators to shift to park. After eight seconds, the system shifts the transmission to neutral and holds the brakes until throttle input is detected. Combined with Hill Assist, this function prevents rollbacks and enhances control on slopes.
A newly added dump body height limiter also helps operators comply with overhead clearance rules. By setting a maximum raise height directly via the keypad or touchscreen, the risk of accidental contact with structures is virtually eliminated. The feature even improves cycle times by preventing unnecessary full-body movement.
Innovative ejector design for versatility
The Cat 730 EJ Articulated Truck introduces a game-changing ejector mechanism that discharges loads without raising the body. This allows for stable material dispersal on inclines, side slopes, and soft terrain, conditions that would normally challenge a conventional tipper.
Perfect for landfill operations and sites with low overhead clearance, the ejector design prevents material sticking and reduces the need for dozing. It can even spread material on the move, speeding up cycles and reducing additional equipment requirements.
Vision-based awareness and proximity protection
For added situational awareness, the next generation trucks come with an optional object detection and multi-view camera system. Four strategically placed cameras and radar sensors provide both audible and visual alerts for obstacles in the truck’s path. Operators can view multiple angles through a secondary monitor, improving visibility in tight or busy jobsite environments.
This proximity detection technology enhances operator confidence and drastically reduces the likelihood of minor collisions or near misses, especially critical in large-scale mining and construction operations.
Coaching for safer, smarter operators
Caterpillar continues to invest in its operators with an optional onboard training and analytics tool called Operator Coaching. This system tracks up to 14 different operational behaviours that influence efficiency, safety, and machine health. From hoisting without articulation to reducing cornering speed and using proper gear selection, the system provides real-time advice and even video tutorials accessible directly on the in-cab touchscreen.
For fleet managers, the GPS-enabled data identifies where and when improvement opportunities occur during the work cycle. The goal is to make every operator, not just experienced ones, perform like a pro, thereby improving consistency across entire fleets.
Among the monitored behaviours are:
- Hoisting without articulation
- Hoisting with transmission in neutral
- Hoisting on level ground
- Reducing cornering speed
- Using lower gear when retarding
- Reducing speed in rough conditions
- Approaching grades in lower gear
This level of digital coaching turns data into actionable insights, improving performance across operations of any size.
Production and global rollout
Production of the new Cat articulated trucks will begin in January 2026, starting with the Cat 730 model. Manufactured at Caterpillar’s Peterlee facility in the United Kingdom, this milestone continues a proud legacy of British engineering excellence.
Caterpillar has been building articulated trucks at Peterlee since 1985, beginning with the D400, a 36-ton powerhouse that set the standard for the industry. Over the years, continuous innovation in performance, comfort, and efficiency has led to the production of over 50,000 articulated trucks, celebrated in 2018. This new generation marks yet another leap forward in the company’s century-long story of engineering ingenuity.
Driving the future of productivity
With its advanced automation, operator assistance, and safety-first design, the new generation of Cat Articulated Trucks embodies the future of off-highway hauling. These machines bring together cutting-edge digital systems, proven mechanical strength, and thoughtful human-centric design, all built to make work safer, faster, and more efficient.
For Caterpillar, the road ahead isn’t just about building stronger machines; it’s about building smarter, safer, and more connected ones. And that’s exactly what the next generation of Cat Articulated Trucks delivers.
