General Letter

Global
September 19, 2019

Delayed Introduction Timing of Cat® Product Link PL161 TM

Factory Installed on Excavator Work Tools

Cat Work Tools announced earlier this year the PL161 locator was planned to ship on many
excavator (311-390) buckets & Hydro-Mechanical Work Tools beginning 2nd Quarter 2019. Due
to a recently-identified issue affecting the performance of PL161, production of PL161 locator
units has been put on hold. Root cause analysis is currently being performed, and the objective
is to resolve the issue and promptly resume production ramp-up. There is currently no known
date of production resuming. An update with this information will be provided in a subsequent
letter as soon an estimated date is determined.

Depending on speed of future production ramp up, there will be limitations in what work tools are
initially shipping with PL161 factory installed. Expansion across the majority of the excavator
work tool product line is intended to occur as rapidly as possible while working through any
PL161 supply constraints. As previously communicated, there will be no additional charge for
PL161 on these applicable work tools.

Annual Product Update (APU) 2020 for Next Gen HEX

Work Tool Recognition is a key software feature being added on Next Generation HEX as part of
APU 2020. This feature will be included in APU 2020 content, as well as corresponding
software files which will be available to update existing Next Gen HEX machines in the field.
This machine software feature requires PL161 hardware to be installed on compatible work
tools. Therefore, the use of this software feature will not be possible until PL161 production has
resumed, which will allow for excavator work tool factory installation, and aftermarket supply of
PL161 locators to resume.

PL161 for Aftermarket

PL161 locators purchased through ANTARES can be applied for retrofitting onto existing work
tools or other equipment. This part number for the PL161 locator kit is 533-4261. Supply of the
kit is also impacted by this production issue. Upon resuming of production, priority will be given
to fulfilling existing dealer backorders. For any inquiries related to issues experienced on
previously received PL161 locators, please refer to publication TIB M0098189 “Certain Cat®
Product Link (PL161) Devices May Stop Reporting.”

Contact Information
For support questions related PL161 locators and other Product Link products and subscription
management, please contact Cat Connect Support services.
Phone: 866 228 2111 - toll free US & Canada or +1 513 830 1809 – international
Email: CatConnectSupport@cat.com

For questions related to PL161 excavator work tools ex-factory program, please contact:
Jared Parsons
Phone: +1 309 578 6884
Email: Parsons_Jared_D@cat.com

For questions on the Work Tool Recognition feature as part of Next Gen HEX APU 2020, please
contact your regional GCI Product Application Specialist.

Caterpillar: Confidential Green

 Yours sincerely,

Jared Parsons
EXD Work Tools Strategy Manager

The information contained herein is intended for circulation only to Caterpillar and dealer employees whose duties require knowledge of such
reports and is intended exclusively for their information and training. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, "Caterpillar Yellow," the
"Power Edge" trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without
permission. © All rights reserved 2018

Caterpillar: Confidential Green