MachineryLink

A couple of neat tools have come onto the market in recent days. Most interesting is Caterpillar's announcement that it is entering the outdoor power market with a portable, light-commercial generator.

Cat is known for its massive diesel powered backup generators (such as its C175-20 that produces up to 13,800 volts of standby power), but this is the manufacturer's first entry into the consumer market with a portable generator.

Cat's RP series of eight gasoline-powered generators is designed to provide backup or recreational power to residential users and portable power for work away from the shop. The first models in the RP series range in size and power from 3.6 kW to 7.5 kW in North America. There are similar units for sale in Europe.

The smallest unit in the family, the RP 3600 produces 3600 watts of power (120 volts AC) with a 212cc overhead valve engine. It carries a 4.5-gallon fuel tank -- with a fuel gauge on the tank -- and is rated to run for 13.5 hours at 50% of maximum capacity. It's priced at $479.95.

The largest generator in the RP family is the RP7500. It is also gasoline powered and produces up to 7500 watts of power (120 and 240 volts AC) by way of a 420cc overhead valve engine. This model has a tank-mounted fuel gauge and 7.9 gallons of fuel capacity. At 50% capacity, the RP7500 is said to run for 11 hours. This unit is priced at $1,049.99.

Add a few more bucks to these models if you're buying them in California.

The generators are electric started with a lithium ion battery; the battery is recharged as the generator is running.

RP series generators are available at Cat dealers, local retailers, and eventually national retailers and wholesalers, Caterpillar says. "This is about providing a new customer base with the right solutions for their home and outdoor power needs," says George Taylor, Caterpillar vice president for the Marketing & Digital Division and the company's chief marketing officer.

Cat promises additional outdoor power products throughout 2017. For more information on the new generator line, visit: www.cat.com/homeandoutdoorpower.

Hitachi Power Tools has announced development of the 18-volt Lithium Ion WH18DBDL2 Triple Hammer Impact Driver. The impact driver incorporates a third anvil for greater torque, less vibration and faster tightening speed. It is powered by Hitachi's compact 3.0Ah (amp hour) battery that delivers the same capacity as an 18V 3.0Ah Lithium Ion battery, but in about half the footprint and weight.

By incorporating a third anvil (from which the name Triple Hammer is derived) as opposed to the standard dual-anvil system, this tool is able to achieve 1832 in/lbs of torque, 4,000 max beats per minute (BPM), as well as reduce the vibration produced when using the tool. The tool weighs just 2.9 pounds.

The WH18DBDL2 can be used for example, to tighten and loosen carriage bolts, drive lags and sink deck screws. It also can drill into wood, metal and concrete.

Equipped with four speed settings, the WH18DBDL2 delivers a no-load speed from 0 to 2,900 revolutions per minute and an impact rate from 0 to 4,000 BPM.

The impact driver features a white LED light and low battery indicator. It is sold with two compact 3.0Ah Lithium Ion batteries, a rapid charger and carrying case.

The Triple Hammer Impact Driver retails for about $399.99.

For more information on Hitachi Power Tools, visit www.hitachipowertools.com

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com

(CZ)

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