FINN secures a future in the landscape and construction market with a new Cat diesel-powered compact skid-steer loader.

The compact skid-steer loader business is a competitive one. Just ask Walter Butman, executive vice president of Finn Corp. "The landscape industry has shown an impressive growth rate of 207% annually over the past five years," he explains. Finn's target market for compact skid steers is the landscape industry. The product is also used in construction and industrial applications. With that significant growth rate comes competition - many of manufacturers (and more every day) competing for market share in the multi billion-dollar industry.

"To be competitive with a compact skid steer in this market, we knew we needed to exceed the features and benefits of the products already on the market," Butman shares. The Finn strategy: the Eagle 244-D mini digger, a compact skid-steer loader featuring a standard Cat 3003NA diesel engine. The diesel-powered compact machine is an addition to the Eagle line of compact skid steers, which Finn introduced one year ago.

The Addition of Diesel Power
As a company, Fairfield, Ohio-based Finn Corp. knows what it's talking about when it comes to developing products for the landscaping, turf and erosion control industries. With almost 70 years of experience under its belt, the company has built a solid reputation as an OEM that consistently manufactures quality products like Hydroseeders', Bark Blowers and Straw Mulchers.

The release of the Eagle 244-D mini digger marks the first use of a Caterpillar' diesel industrial engine in a Finn product. The reason for the switch to a Cat diesel was straightforward: The Cat 3003NA (23.5 hp at 3,600 rpm) provides more horsepower and a greater rpm rating than the competitive gas or diesel engine. "Other engines we used bogged down during rigorous applications," noted Butman.

Finn customers were also requesting diesel power. "Diesel power is more attractive to landscape customers who use the machine daily in rigorous weather conditions,"Butman adds. The seasonal landscaping business also means machines like compact skid steer loaders see heavy use for several months at a time.

"We found the Cat diesel engine gave our compact skid steer much more power in digging and trenching applications," says Butman. "That increased horsepower makes a big difference when you're on a large construction site having to move the machine and operate attachments at the same time."

Hydraulic power tool on wheels
The Eagle mini digger's hydraulic ports allow for the use of more than 40 different attachments, one at a time, for numerous applications: trenching, tilling, leveling, snowblowing, hauling, digging, etc. Hydraulic flow rate is the key to the Eagle 244-D's power. Finn's compact skid steer is designed to have as much hydraulic flow rate as larger skid steers, allowing it the same power as its bigger counterparts, but with a much smaller footprint. The Eagle mini digger can reach into tight places and operate on weight-sensitive areas that larger skid steers cannot.

The Eagle's unique parallel hydraulic system provides full power simultaneously to all functions. Other compact skid steers operate with a series hydraulic system that requires flow to be taken away from one hydraulic pump to power another. In comparison, the Eagle's parallel hydraulic system provides maximum power to the drive wheels and the working implement all at the same time.

A little help with a tight fit
The Eagle line of compact skid-steer loaders began with gasoline power. The first model, the Eagle 250, is powered by a competitive gasoline engine. The introduction of the diesel line (starting with the Eagle 244-D) required a few adjustments to incorporate the Cat 3003NA into the compact skid steer's tight uni-body frame construction.

Finn's Cat dealer was an instrumental player in the engineering of the new diesel skid steer. "Joe Hofmann, Holt Engine sales representative, worked hand in hand with our engineering group to develop attachments and modifications to fit the engine into the tight envelope," says Butman.

Custom configurations were also made to the Caterpillar engine to make it more serviceable in the small space. These modifications included:
* Exhaust discharge. A vertical exhaust manifold (not standard to the factory power unit) was provided. An exhaust elbow (also not standard) was also added so the exhaust would discharge up and to the rear of the engine.
* Air cleaner. The dealer provided Finn engineers technical detail and assisted in providing a custom air cleaner.
* Lube oil gauge. A long, top-access oil level gauge (not standard to the factory power unit) was added to allow a customer to check the oil level from the top of the engine.
* Auto shutdown controller. An auto shutdown controller which is not part of the standard factory power unit, was added.

The result according to Butman - "A diesel-powered compact skid steer that we are proud to have bear the Finn name." The compact machine's engine also brought rave reviews from Finn engineers, earning it the nickname, "The Animal."

"We're very happy with the performance of the Cat 3003NA in the Eagle 244-D," says Doug Wysong, Finn chief engineer. "It's a machine with a ton of low-end torque, and yet provides a smooth ride," agrees Chris Miller, Finn product engineer.

And what do Finn customers think of the diesel power? Butman responds with a story of the product's recent unveiling at the Finn facilities: "One of our key customers requested the first Eagle 244-D and was expected at our facility for the unveiling of the prototype. Our Cat dealer helped us refresh the prototype after our vigorous testing process: new stickers, air filters, paint, etc. During the prototype stage, he even drove an engine to us in the back of the company pickup truck! At the unveiling, our customers rode around and tested the Eagle with its attachments. Their response was a smile from ear to ear. They placed an order for a unit with attachments on the spot."

Solid Past, Optimistic Future
As the landscaping market continues to grow, Finn continues its plans for Cat diesel power in its machines. In addition to the Eagle 244-D skid steer, the company is currently working on a prototype B70 Straw Blower with a Cat 3014NA industrial engine (42.5 hp at 2,800 rpm). Project work is progressing to utilize a Cat 30548 engine in 86 and 120 hp Bark Blowers as well.

"The Cat diesel engine's increased horsepower and rpm ratings have also made it an optimum choice for our barkblower line," says Butman. "Horsepower and rpm ratings are critical as they relate to cfm and psi ratings," he explains. The engine's horsepower drives the positive displacement blower to create an air steam. That air stream has to be substantial to handle the types of material blowing through it. Wood chips, bark mulch, compost . . . sometimes wet and muddy substances have to travel through 300 ft. of hose.

Butman sees Caterpillar engines as a part of Finn's product development for a long time to come. He credits the "full service" approach as a big benefit to buying a Caterpillar engine. "'When initially evaluating Caterpillar products, we were impressed with the total enterprise approach: Cat dealers, Cat Rental Stores and Cat Financing," he stresses.

"We've also been very impressed with the results and response we've had to our diesel compact skid steer," he adds. "Dealer service is extremely important (Finn also operates via dealer network) and Caterpillar makes it easy for our customers to be serviced. If a situation arises with the Cat engine, customers are confident that they'll have someone locally who will take care of their engines, no matter where they are."