444F^Non-Current

Auto Align Steering

Switching between steering modes is now even simpler; with an auto align steering system which engages steer modes when the wheels are turned through the machine centerline.

Axles

All Wheel Drive (AWD) - Standard.
• Heavy-duty rear axle with self adjusting inboard brakes, differential lock and final drives.
• AWD is engaged by front console panel switch or by brake pedal during all-wheel-braking operation. AWD can be engaged on the move, under load, in any gear, forward or reverse. AWD has outer final drives for easy maintenance.
• AWD front axle is pendulum mounted and permanently sealed and lubricated, requiring no daily maintenance. Also features double-acting steering cylinder with 52° steering angle for increased maneuverability.

Axles and Differential Lock

The heavy-duty Cat axles fitted to the 444F have been designed to be used in the most arduous of conditions and the rear axle Differential Lock ensures that traction is maintained in all types of ground conditions.

Brakes

Fully enclosed boosted, hydraulic, multiple discs.
• Inboard oil-immersed, hydraulically actuated multiple Kevlar discs on final drive input shaft.
• Completely enclosed and sealed.
• Self-adjusting.
• Dual foot-operated boosted brake pedals can be interlocked for roading.
• Parking/secondary brakes are independent of the service brake system. Parking brake is mechanically applied through a hand lever located in the right side console.
• Meets ISO 3450:1996 requirements.

All Wheel Braking

When driving in two wheel drive, applying the brakes engages all wheel drive. Releasing the brakes returns the transmission to two wheel drive. This effective system works well in hazardous, slippery or steep surfaces. Braking modes are controlled by an easily accessible All Wheel Drive Switch, improving braking effectiveness and reducing tire wear.

Electro-Deposition Coating

Your 444F is protected by an undercoat of electro-deposited (E-Coat) primer, which completely seals each metallic component, offering a superior degree of protection from damage and corrosion. Combine this with the high solids polyurethane top coat, and your 444F will remain in prime condition longer, giving you outstanding resale value.

Engine Air Filter

A dry type axial air cleaner with an integral precleaner and automatic integrated dust ejection system extends the life of the air filter when working in dusty conditions, reducing service time and costs.

High Ambient Cooling

The 444F is equipped with a High Ambient engine cooling package, allowing the machine to be operated in temperatures up to 50° C.

Work Lights

The 444F has adjustable front and rear work lights. This allows the operator to direct the light wherever needed, providing maximum illumination to the work area whatever the ambient light conditions.

Improved Flotation

The 444F can operate in conditions that push the limits of unequal size tire machines. High flotation and lower ground pressure exerted by the tires allows the machine to work in very poor underfoot conditions, such as greenfield construction sites and agricultural applications such as farm maintenance. Areas which are off limits to other types of machine are accessible with a Cat equal size tire Backhoe Loader, increasing productivity and machine utilization.

Increased Loader Performance

More lift height, a large bucket and stronger breakout forces enable the 444F to perform high productivity loading duties, such as hopper charging, bulk material transfer, grading and loading.

Tire Options

The 444F is available with either 24” or 28” tires, in bias or radial ply variants. This allows the correct choice of tire to suit any application or budget.

All Wheel Steer (AWS)

An AWS system, which can be switched into 2WS, Circle Steer, or Crab Steer is fitted as standard. This provides an excellent turning circle and good maneuverability for working in confined working areas.

A spacious interior with modern styling accommodates the operator with comfort and ease of operation, to meet the demands of even the most demanding operator. Cab width makes turning from loader-facing to backhoe-facing position simple, with no obstruction. Comfort is further enhanced with the first-class Cat air suspension seat, reducing fatigue on the body during those long working days. An easy opening single piece rear window enhances visibility of the surrounding area, and provides the operator with ventilation in warm conditions. The rear wiper maintains visibility in wet or dusty conditions by cleaning a large area of the rear screen. Excavator-style joystick controls provide smooth operation of the backhoe and are ergonomically designed for low effort control, maximizing operator comfort. The location of the controls naturally positions the operator in the most comfortable position. Other features such as remote stabilizer controls, large adjustable vents throughout the cab, clear gauges and tinted glass as standard contribute to an industry leading operating environment designed to reduce operator fatigue and increase productivity.

Adjustable Joystick Pods

The joysticks are pod-mounted, with two location positions. This allows the operator to remain comfortable in the seat, or move forward close to the rear of the machine for a clear view of the trench.

Pattern Selector

The pattern selector switch, located in the cab, lets you change from an excavator to a backhoe control pattern simply by pressing a button. This lets you select the pattern you are most comfortable with so you can be more productive.

Reduced Vibration

Caterpillar understands that backhoe loaders work in some of the harshest environments. By controlling normal machine vibrations caused by these harsh conditions, operators will feel less fatigued. The 444F has features, both standard and optional, that reduce the impact of vibration.

Cat Air Suspension Seat

The key interface between the machine and the operator is the seat. The Cat air suspension seat provides the operator with a comfortable working platform to ensure high levels of productivity with the minimum of fatigue.

HVAC System

The 444F benefits from an optional, powerful air conditioning system, which provides good ventilation to the operator, ensuring the operator stays cool when working in warm temperatures. The ventilation system also provides plenty of demisting, defrosting and heating capability.

Loader Performance

Designed with performance in mind, the 444F has higher breakout forces, load over height and reach, making light work of applications such as truck loading or shoveling. Parallel Lift Loader arms offer self-leveling as standard, providing safe lifting of any palletized load. Versatility is enhanced with the choice of a General Purpose or Multi Purpose bucket, and visibility is further enhanced with a new, lower hood line design, providing a clear line of sight to the top of the bucket.

Joystick Control

The loader joystick is ergonomically designed and placed for operator comfort, and controls the multi-purpose bucket and auxiliary hydraulics when these options are fitted.

Return-To-Dig

Your 444F is equipped with a Return-To-Dig system, as standard. This system reduces loading cycle times by bringing the loader bucket back to the dig position automatically when lowering the arms. By the time the loader arms have been lowered to ground level, the bucket is in the correct position ready for the next load.

Ride Control

The Cat Ride Control system is an option designed to reduce machine pitching and bouncing, giving operators a smooth ride in all applications, including load and carry, roading, or simply moving around the job site. The system is controlled by a switch on the front console.

Excavator-Style Backhoe

Whether you're close-up truck loading on a single road carriageway, or digging over obstacles such as walls, the excavator-style boom outperforms the rest. Combining versatility with powerful breakout forces, and the controllability of the load sensing, flow-sharing hydraulic system, the 444F is capable of producing high levels of productivity with the minimum of operator effort. The boom is a narrow design, ensuring maximum visibility to the work tool, and the choice of a 4.26 m or 4.87 m length backhoe is available to suit your needs.

Extendible Stick

The 444F is available with an optional extendible stick that increases dig depth and reach capability, enhancing the machines versatility and utilization. A sliding inner section design keeps the wear pads out of the dirt, extending adjustment and replacement intervals. When wear pad adjustment is necessary, the adjustment bolts are easy to access, taking minutes to adjust, without the need to disassemble the E-Stick. Auxiliary lines for operating work tools have been routed so that they are protected from damage when working in the narrowest of trenches.

Slider Frame and Swing Frame

Designed to make necessary maintenance easier to perform, the F Series cast slider frame has exterior lock clamps, with no backhoe disassembly needed when servicing. The Swing Frame/Boom Foot pins have replaceable bushings in the bores.

Powered Side Shift (Optional)

Provides a hydraulic service to enable the operator to easily position the backhoe across the full width of the H-frame without the need to place the bucket on the ground. Ideal for use in utility applications such as gas, electrical, telecoms, etc.

Hydraulic Performance

It's rare that you'll be working at full production 100% of the time, so why should the machine be working flat out, using more fuel, making more noise, and increasing wear? The 444F has a load-sensing, closed center hydraulic system, which closely matches power and flow to the demand needed by the implements. So whether you're in full trenching mode, or delicately digging around services, you are in control. In applications such as loading and carrying, speed is important, and system will match the flow needed to get the job done quickly and efficiently. As there is minimal demand on the system unless needed, there are less parasitic losses and more power available for traction - providing better loading and roading.

Flow Sharing Valves

The 444F also features flow-sharing hydraulic valves, ensuring the correct flow of oil reaches the implement cylinders, providing greater control and eliminating oil starvation when operating multiple functions.

Hardware

Reliable high performance hydraulic hoses are constructed from two strong steel braided layers and O-ring face seal fittings provide a robust system ensuring lasting durability and resistance to damage from pressure spikes and hydraulic pulsing.

Engine

• Three ring pistons made of lightweight silicon/aluminum alloy for strength and maximum thermal conductivity.
• Forged, chrome/molybdenum-steel crankshaft with nitro-carbonized journals.
• Front and rear crankshaft oil seals are ‘lip' type Viton and PTFE designs featuring an integral dust lip.
• Heat resistant silicon-chrome steel intake and STELLITE faced exhaust valves are used for long engine life.
• Cylinder block is high strength, cast iron alloy of deep-skirt, monobloc design for increased strength and long life.
• Poly vee front end and auxiliary drive belt that is automatically tensioned for long life reducing operating costs.
• Cylinder head is high strength, cast iron alloy construction with extra duty wall and head thickness. Intake and exhaust ports are precision cast to promote optimum gas flow.
• Direct injection fuel system provides accurate fuel delivery. Self priming electric lift pump for improved cold start capability. One filter fuel system for reduced maintenance costs.
• High torque at low engine speeds for better machine performance.
• Dry type, axial seal air cleaner with automatic, integrated dust ejection providing more efficient pre-separation.
• Direct electric 12 volt starting and charging system with 750 CCA group 31 maintenance free battery.

Larger Torque Converter

A 2.4:1 ratio torque converter in the 444F delivers greater pushing power and greater acceleration when roading and loading, compared to its predecessor.

Auto-Shift Transmission

Automatic gear selection, with five forward and three reverse gears, minimizes operator effort with precision gear changing, engaging powerful drive in all applications. A hydraulic clutch pack modulation contributes to the operators' comfort by ensuring smooth gear changes, noticeably improving ride comfort over all types of terrain. The auto-shift transmission dispenses of the floor mounted shift lever, giving unrestricted access through the right hand door.

Lock-Up Torque Converter

If roading is an important part of your daily routine, the optional lock-up torque converter will enable you to maintain high speeds and reduce fuel consumption, saving you both time and money.

40 km/h Roading

The 444F is equipped with an auto-shift transmission capable of high speed travel up to 40 km/h. The forward/reverse lever on the steering column is placed for simple directional changes on the move, and the gear selection is automatically selected by the machine's engine control unit. Get to work faster, with the Cat Backhoe Loader.

Loader Buckets

General Purpose and hydraulic Multi Purpose buckets are either Pin-on mounted or attached to the quick coupler. They can be fitted with either cutting edge or bolt on teeth. MP buckets are optional with fold over pallet forks.

Backhoe Buckets

For different soil types and digging applications there are multiple bucket designs available, including; Standard Duty, Heavy Duty, High Capacity and Extreme Service (Rock) Buckets. Either bolt on teeth or weld on adapters with pin on teeth can be fitted. Ditch Cleaning, Cribbing and Trapezoidal Buckets are also available.

Auger

The Cat Auger is designed for drilling holes in the earth for a wide variety of applications. A wide variety of Auger bits and drive systems are available, to provide you with the best tool for the job.

Cold Planer

The Cat Cold Planer is designed for both asphalt and concrete planing work, having features like depth control and self-leveling.

Compactor Plate

The Cat Vibratory Plate Compactor can be used to compact soil, sand or gravel in trenching and sloping applications prior to pouring concrete or laying asphalt.

Hammer

Cat Hydraulic Hammers are designed to break up concrete, asphalt or rock and deliver constant power when operated. Silencing options are available to meet with local regulations.

Dual Lock Couplers

Enhance your machines' versatility with a mechanical or hydraulic quick coupler, for easy switching of work tools. Couplers maintain a tight fit throughout their lifetime due to an innovative wedge design. Contact your Cat dealer for more information.

Customer Support Agreements (CSA's)

Your Cat dealer can offer a comprehensive range of CSA's which can be individually tailored to suit your finances and requirements. Dealers can offer a range of options from a full Preventative Maintenance with S·O·SSM package to a Parts Only CSA. Protect your valuable investment and know exactly what your monthly payments will be to help you run your business.

Finance

Have you explored the range of options available from your dealer to finance your machine? They can offer a selection of attractive packages tailored exactly to your needs.

Machine Selection and Training

Your dealer can help guide you with your machine purchase decision, based on your requirements and help keep operating costs to a minimum. Is the machine you have in mind exactly the best for your job, or could there be a more suitable solution? Your dealer can also advise on operating techniques for your machine which will minimize wear and tear, maximize productivity, and lower owning and operating costs.

Reduced Maintenance

The new, easy access engine cover sets the benchmark for access to all daily check points, such as; fill points, air cleaner, washer bottles, visual indicators, etc. It includes a first-in-class hinged cooling pack, making regular maintenance even more convenient for the operator. The F Series continues to provide sealed for life axle oscillation, driveshaft universal joints, trunnions, etc. Daily maintenance, which can be a chore for the busy operator, is kept to a minimum on the 444F.

Boom and Stick Design

The Boom and Stick design allows all wear adjustment to be done with Stick in-situ, using a simple wedge adjustment mechanism - no dismantling required. The Stabilizer legs are also externally adjustable, reducing machine downtime and inconvenience.