Caterpillar relaunch signature 651 scraper
Wheel tractor scraper re-enters market with improvements to productivity, cycle times and comfort
THE new single-engine Cat 651 wheel tractor scraper (WTS) has re-entered the market with upgrades to the powertrain, controls, hydraulics, and structure, all designed to deliver superior levels of productivity and a high return on investment.
Offering a 33.6 cubic metre heaped capacity and 46.4-tonne rated load, the new WTS shares the same bowl design and many components as the 657, allowing companies with mixed fleets to stock fewer repair parts and reduce their owning costs.
The scraper’s new Advanced Productivity Electronic Control System (APECS) fully integrates the transmission and engine drivetrain to provide smooth and responsive shifts, allowing the 651 to move more material faster. Its electronic clutch pressure control features advance shift control logic for smoother speed and directional shifts, whilst part throttle shifting controls transmission shifts for smoother shifting between gears.
The machine’s single-engine design features the Cat C18 engine, which delivers 469kW (629hp) and meets EU Stage V / US EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards. The design gives the 651 the ability to work with a Cat D10 or D11 dozer for ultra-fast load times, even when working in abrasive or rocky conditions.
With its eight-speed transmission reaching a top speed of 56.1 km/h (34.8 miles/h), the 651 delivers fast cycle times to improve productivity across a range of applications, from heavy civil construction to quarrying and mining.
Boasting the same, larger cab as the 657, the 651 improves operator comfort and delivers easier access/egress. Relocation of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to below the cab, plus steering column and pedal repositioning, help to improve visibility.
The new comfort seat rotates up to 30° to the right for loading and offers an additional 51mm of fore/aft movement to reduce operating fatigue. The seat’s adjustable armrest aligns with the implement control lever with T-handle design for more comfortable operation.
The scraper’s new high-pressure steering system requires significantly less steering effort, reducing fatigue and improving productivity further into the work cycle. Improvements to the hydraulics include an electrohydraulic implement system for improved multifunction capability and a short throw for the T-handle implement control.
Three camera locations for the optional Work Area Vision System (WAVS) show the cutting edge, right side, and rear of the machine on a 7in in-cab colour display to improve visibility and jobsite safety. Available sequence assist reduces up to 14 individual operator commands per cycle with a single button for improved cycle consistency, less repetitive motions for the operator, and reduced fatigue.
Configured with sequence assist, the new payload estimator option uses bowl lift cylinder pressure to accurately calculate machine payload to within +/–5% of actual scaled weight, optimizing payload and jobsite efficiency. Using the bowl lift cylinder, the payload estimator system requires no recalibration or operator interface.
The scraper’s new ground speed control allows the operator to set the desired top speed, whilst the machine finds the gear that works best for the engine and transmission to reduce the engine load factor and fuel burn compared with top gear selection.
When operating on a decline, the 651 detects a machine overspeed situation and automatically engages the compression brakes with no operator input. Hydraulic wet disc brakes replace air-actuated brakes from the previous model to improve performance and serviceability.
Standard Product Link on the 651 collects critical machine operating data, including payload, that can be viewed online, connecting the office with the jobsite. VisionLink offers access to this information anytime, anywhere, to help companies make informed decisions to boost productivity, reduce costs, simplify maintenance, and improve safety.
