Cat introduce new tracked loader
Completing the Cat D-Series tracked loader lineup is the new 973D, featuring load-sensing hydraulics, joystick steering, a new operator's cab, and 10% more power than its 973C predecessor.
The new loader retains much of the 973C’s design, including a Cat C9 engine, hydrostatic drive, single-fabrication mainframe, Z-bar loader linkage and oscillating undercarriage. The 973D’s features make it suitable for a range of jobs, including construction sites, steel mills, landfill sites, quarries and demolition sites.
The 973D's new closed-centre, load-sensing implement hydraulic system uses a variable-displacement pump that only produces the actual volume of oil required for the job at hand. By contrast, the 973C's hydraulic pump produced a constant oil volume, whether required or not. The net result is that the 973D pumps less oil, thus conserving fuel, generating less heat and freeing horsepower to drive the tracks more efficiently. The new system also allows seamless, simultaneous use of lift, tilt and travel functions.
Complementing the new hydraulic system are lift and tilt cylinders that use position-sensing electronics, which allow operators to set lift and tilt kick-outs from the cab. Kick-outs can be quickly reset for each job—or even each truck—to assure fast cycle times. In addition, end-of-travel snubbing assures that cylinders stop smoothly with less shock.
In the new cab, either joystick steering or pedal steering can be specified. The steering joystick also provides transmission control, allowing the operator to select travel direction and ground speed, while the pedal-steer system works in conjunction with the Cat ‘V-pattern’ transmission controller.
There is also a choice of loader controls—either joystick or two-lever. The 973C offered this choice, but loader controls for the new 973D are seat-mounted and electro-hydraulically actuated, compared with console-mounted and pilot-actuated (hydraulically assisted). The new seat-mounted, low-effort controls move with the operator as the seat is adjusted, transmit less vibration and provide a fast, precise hydraulic response.
The new sound-suppressed cab (rated at 74dBA) is sealed, pressurized, air-conditioned, resiliently mounted and tilts for access to major components (30° in the field, 90° in the workshop). An increased glass area improves visibility all around, whilst the new fender design yields sharper sightlines out of the rear window. A compact new dashboard includes both a gauge cluster that monitors vital systems and the Messenger display screen, which provides real-time performance and diagnostic information.
The 8.8-litre, 263hp (net) (196kW) Cat C9 diesel engine, which meets US EPA Tier-3 and European Union Stage IIIA standards, uses proprietary Caterpillar ACERT technology for emissions-control and fuel-economy. A new on-demand, viscous-clutch cooling fan helps further lower fuel consumption and sound.
The electronically controlled Cat Hystat hydrostatic drive system powers and controls each track independently via a variable-displacement pump and motor. The Hystat system allows both tracks to be powered through gradual turns, simplifies straight-line travel when working across slopes and provides improved manoeuverability with its counter-rotation capability.
The 973D's main-frame/loader-tower is fabricated of single-slab primary rails, cross-member reinforcing and castings or forgings in high-stress areas to provide long-term durability for supporting multiple rebuilds. Oscillating track frames help smooth the operator's ride, lessen shock loads to the machine and contribute to the 973D's stability. Z-bar-type loader linkage uses single-slab boom arms and dual bell-cranks (each with its own tilt cylinder) to provide suitable breakout power.
Service access to the drive-train and hydraulic-system components is simplified on the 973D with its tilting cab. The cab can be tilted a full 90° with an external lifting device and 30° in the field using a hydraulic jack, available as standard. All routine maintenance points are easily accessible from ground level, and oil-sampling ports, quick-connect pressure taps and a ground-level emergency-shut-down switch are standard equipment.
Two waste-handling packages (standard and extreme) add guarding, debris barriers, cooling-system enhancements and an air-intake pre-cleaner. The standard package is designed for landfills, transfer stations and material-recovery facilities, while the severe package affords maximum protection in the most demanding work, such as demolition.
The steel-mill package, allowing the 973D to work safely and reliably when handling hot slag around blast furnaces, features a sealed undercarriage; fire-retardant fluids; heat shields for the fuel tank, power train and hydraulic components; silicone seals; heat-resistant windshield; and remote parking-brake release.
For consistent work in soft underfoot conditions, the wide-gauge package provides a stretched track gauge and low-ground-pressure track shoes. These features are complemented with a wider bucket that boosts productivity in grading and backfilling applications.
In addition to these application-specific packages, other optional packages are available, including a three-shank parallelogram ripper, multi-purpose bucket, added counterweight and a deluxe maintenance package for fast oil changes and fuel-sediment flushing. Custom-designed solutions can also be accommodated.
The new loader retains much of the 973C’s design, including a Cat C9 engine, hydrostatic drive, single-fabrication mainframe, Z-bar loader linkage and oscillating undercarriage. The 973D’s features make it suitable for a range of jobs, including construction sites, steel mills, landfill sites, quarries and demolition sites.
The 973D's new closed-centre, load-sensing implement hydraulic system uses a variable-displacement pump that only produces the actual volume of oil required for the job at hand. By contrast, the 973C's hydraulic pump produced a constant oil volume, whether required or not. The net result is that the 973D pumps less oil, thus conserving fuel, generating less heat and freeing horsepower to drive the tracks more efficiently. The new system also allows seamless, simultaneous use of lift, tilt and travel functions.
Complementing the new hydraulic system are lift and tilt cylinders that use position-sensing electronics, which allow operators to set lift and tilt kick-outs from the cab. Kick-outs can be quickly reset for each job—or even each truck—to assure fast cycle times. In addition, end-of-travel snubbing assures that cylinders stop smoothly with less shock.
In the new cab, either joystick steering or pedal steering can be specified. The steering joystick also provides transmission control, allowing the operator to select travel direction and ground speed, while the pedal-steer system works in conjunction with the Cat ‘V-pattern’ transmission controller.
There is also a choice of loader controls—either joystick or two-lever. The 973C offered this choice, but loader controls for the new 973D are seat-mounted and electro-hydraulically actuated, compared with console-mounted and pilot-actuated (hydraulically assisted). The new seat-mounted, low-effort controls move with the operator as the seat is adjusted, transmit less vibration and provide a fast, precise hydraulic response.
The new sound-suppressed cab (rated at 74dBA) is sealed, pressurized, air-conditioned, resiliently mounted and tilts for access to major components (30° in the field, 90° in the workshop). An increased glass area improves visibility all around, whilst the new fender design yields sharper sightlines out of the rear window. A compact new dashboard includes both a gauge cluster that monitors vital systems and the Messenger display screen, which provides real-time performance and diagnostic information.
The 8.8-litre, 263hp (net) (196kW) Cat C9 diesel engine, which meets US EPA Tier-3 and European Union Stage IIIA standards, uses proprietary Caterpillar ACERT technology for emissions-control and fuel-economy. A new on-demand, viscous-clutch cooling fan helps further lower fuel consumption and sound.
The electronically controlled Cat Hystat hydrostatic drive system powers and controls each track independently via a variable-displacement pump and motor. The Hystat system allows both tracks to be powered through gradual turns, simplifies straight-line travel when working across slopes and provides improved manoeuverability with its counter-rotation capability.
The 973D's main-frame/loader-tower is fabricated of single-slab primary rails, cross-member reinforcing and castings or forgings in high-stress areas to provide long-term durability for supporting multiple rebuilds. Oscillating track frames help smooth the operator's ride, lessen shock loads to the machine and contribute to the 973D's stability. Z-bar-type loader linkage uses single-slab boom arms and dual bell-cranks (each with its own tilt cylinder) to provide suitable breakout power.
Service access to the drive-train and hydraulic-system components is simplified on the 973D with its tilting cab. The cab can be tilted a full 90° with an external lifting device and 30° in the field using a hydraulic jack, available as standard. All routine maintenance points are easily accessible from ground level, and oil-sampling ports, quick-connect pressure taps and a ground-level emergency-shut-down switch are standard equipment.
Two waste-handling packages (standard and extreme) add guarding, debris barriers, cooling-system enhancements and an air-intake pre-cleaner. The standard package is designed for landfills, transfer stations and material-recovery facilities, while the severe package affords maximum protection in the most demanding work, such as demolition.
The steel-mill package, allowing the 973D to work safely and reliably when handling hot slag around blast furnaces, features a sealed undercarriage; fire-retardant fluids; heat shields for the fuel tank, power train and hydraulic components; silicone seals; heat-resistant windshield; and remote parking-brake release.
For consistent work in soft underfoot conditions, the wide-gauge package provides a stretched track gauge and low-ground-pressure track shoes. These features are complemented with a wider bucket that boosts productivity in grading and backfilling applications.
In addition to these application-specific packages, other optional packages are available, including a three-shank parallelogram ripper, multi-purpose bucket, added counterweight and a deluxe maintenance package for fast oil changes and fuel-sediment flushing. Custom-designed solutions can also be accommodated.
