PEORIA, IL- Caterpillar Inc. has introduced a new mobile diesel generator set complementing its full line of towable compact generator sets.  Rated at 175 kW, the new XQ175 generator set delivers power with the fuel-efficient Cat C6.6 engine.  It features Caterpillar ACERT Technology, meeting the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) current Tier 3 emissions requirements, without sacrificing performance. Sold and rented exclusively through Cat dealers and The Cat Rental Store locations, the XQ175 incorporates advanced, newly available features designed to provide reliable mobile power to customers. 

"The XQ175 incorporates several features rental fleet managers have never seen before," said Scott Heppner, Rental Marketing Manager, Caterpillar Electric Power Division. "Today, Caterpillar is pleased to offer a complete line of towable generator sets for rental, municipal, or mobile generator set end-users, rated from 20 kW to 400 kW."

Industry-leading features include a radiator compartment door for quick and easy access for radiator cleaning, as well as improved durability for internal cleaning.  "The benefit to a rental fleet manager is dramatically reduced turnaround time of equipment, and time is money," said Heppner.  The generator set is capable of switching between 480/277 V or 208/120 V  3-phase operation utilizing robust and cost-effective voltage changeover board instead of a voltage selector switch.  "This design reduces cost while using fewer components, which mean less 'wear and tear' or opportunity for downtime."   

 "While saving cost by reducing component count, we knew we had to maintain high quality overall."  Brian Kruse, Caterpillar's Rental Power Product Manager explained, "That's why we standardized features like Camlock distribution connections, sheet steel enclosures pretreated with zinc phosphate before polyester powder coating, and dual wall UL-approved fuel tanks with spill containment.  We also included robust sound attenuation and premium permanent magnet generators for improved motor starting and load control."

The package was designed with the operator in mind, for ease of use and improved monitoring capabilities.  The control panel is collocated with the distribution panel.  Analog gauges are easily readable for oil pressure, engine temperature, voltage, amperage, frequency, fuel level and battery voltage. Indicators alert customers to low coolant level, low fuel level or fuel leak, low oil pressure, overspeed, and emergency shutdown. Operator use is further enhanced by 3-pole UL/CSA-listed molded case circuit breaker that feed a variety of convenience receptacles.  These include California Twistlocks for the needs of the construction market, Camlocks for quick 3-phase cable connections, and 3-phase NEMA locking receptacles ideally suited towards the special events business. 

Furthermore, the mobile unit provides bus connections accepting a variety of lug and cable sizes, giving machines ultimate flexibility.  One feature, unique to the rental industry product, is a safety switch on the cable lug connection door.  "If an inexperienced person attempts to open the cable lug connection door while the bus is energized, this switch immediately sends a signal to open the breaker, preventing harm that might otherwise occur," said Kruse.

The XQ175 expands our line of compact XQ products, offering a full line-up of rugged and reliable generator sets, including the XQ20, XQ30, XQ45, XQ60, XQ80, and XQ100, as well as our mid-range XQ products - the XQ230, XQ300 and XQ400.  The line of XQ products comes with a trailer with choice of brake (hydraulic or electric) and hitch (pintle or ball) options. 

All products are supported with a standard one-year Prime Power Warranty (two-year Emergency Standby) or optional five-year Extended Service Coverage.  They are backed 100% by service provided through Caterpillar's authorized dealer network and technicians - trained to service every aspect of Cat equipment.

For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent.  With 2008 sales and revenues of $51.324 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines.  The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services.  More information is available at www.cat.com.

For spec sheets and technical information on Cat compact and mid-range XQ generator sets, visit www.cat.com/power-generation/rental-power/spec-sheets.  For more information on Cat generator sets and continuous power systems, or to find the local Cat dealer nearest you, please visit www.cat-electricpower.com or e-mail cat_power@cat.com.