Launched in 2013, the 924K Ag Handler, along with smaller-wheeled loaders and a family of telehandlers, represented a resurgence for Cat in the agricultural market. While the 924K is its biggest-wheeled loader in Cat’s agricultural lineup, it is only a baby compared with its construction and quarry machines. With silage duties in mind, the manufacturer has specifically developed its 924K Ag Handler for pushing and climbing.

Cab and controls

Perched on top of the Cat is a substantial-looking six-post cab with 180° opening door, which can be latched back if you wish. The Cat features integrated controls of the joystick in the armrest. As a result, primary functions are placed much more conveniently to hand.

Into the joystick, a proportional roller control for the third service and forward and reverse is also integrated. It also gets a button on the back of the stick to engage the front differential lock.

On the screen terminal, machine setup functions and performance can be analysed. Through it, you can view real-time and historic machine performance and adjust functions such as forward creep speed in range one, throttle lock auxiliary flow and wheel torque.

It is also connected to a reversing camera, which displays an image every time reverse is selected, although there is a bit of a delay as to when this kicks in. The terminal is well placed, although maybe some adjustment would be good depending on driver preference.

Transmission range selection is simple via soft-touch buttons, as are activation and adjustment of boom suspension and handling modes. Also, whenever a button is pressed, that function pops up on screen, so you can see what has been selected or adjusted.

The seat on the Cat has a big American feel to it. Both of the seat’s massive armrests can also be adjusted, putting the joystick in an ideal position.

Those with smartphones will be glad to find a handy area to your right to place them, along with 12V outlets to charge them up and an auxiliary input for tunes. A nice touch is the electric wing mirrors.

If cab storage is not enough for you, the Cat provides one of the best external storage boxes, located at the rear of the machine, with enough space for more grease guns and spare pins than you can shake a stick at. If that is not enough, there is also a box under the right-hand side of the cab.

Engine and transmission

Powered by a 6.6-litre Cat Acert C6.6 engine, it meets Stage 3b using cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a diesel particulate filter.

A hydraulically driven fan takes care of cooling, which automatically cuts in and out depending on demand. Air is drawn in through the sides and out of the back through a wide-core, single-layer cooling pack.

Unlike other machines, the Cat uses a hydrostatic transmission, which can be operated in one of four ranges, offering speeds of 0km/h to 13km/h in ranges one and two, 0km/h to 27km/h in range three and 0km/h to 40km/h in range four.

Range one is specifically designed for pushing and climbing, sending most of the hydraulic power to the transmission. This has been achieved by distributing more of the machine’s hydraulic power to the transmission rather than hydraulics, resulting in a 75:25 split between transmission and hydraulics. While the next range up has the same overall working speed, transmission and hydraulic power split is 50:50.

For traction, the Cat employs a 100% lockable front differential. As an option, and like the Volvo, you can also spec the rear axle with a limited slip differential.

Hydraulics and handling

Effectively two handling modes can be selected on the Cat – bucket, which is more aggressive; and pallet fork, which is gentler. Flow of the third service can also be adjusted from 32l to 160l/min and can be set to constant for a yard brush, for example.

Similarly, a throttle lock feature allows you to maintain a constant engine rpm regardless of machine ground speed.

Boom dampening when reaching full height is also an exclusive feature of the Cat.

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