Two new vibratory soil compactors
Caterpillar have introduced the CS44 and CP44 vibratory soil compactors, which are said to offer many of the same industry-proven design and performance characteristics of the 400E-series soil compactors as well as the production-class range. In addition, Caterpillar say that the CS44 and CP44 feature design enhancements that increase machine serviceability, reliability and operator comfort when compared to the current 400E-series vibratory soil compactors.
The CS44 and CP44 compactors compete in the 5.5–8.0 tonnes machine class and feature Caterpillar’s dual-pump propel system for improved gradeability. The dual-pump propel system provides separate hydraulic flow to the rear wheels and the drum for good tractive effort in soft underfoot conditions or steep slope applications and allows for control on a grade in forward and reverse gear.
A limited slip differential, which maximizes rear-wheel traction, is standard on all models. Top speed in forward and reverse gears is 12.3km/h. The 1,676mm drum width provides manoeuverability for working in confined quarters.
An improved engine airflow design vents engine heat at the rear of the machine, helping to prevent exhaust from blowing ground-level debris, or blowing heat on the operator. The cooling system is also 25% larger than the system on the 433E-series.
The cab features a tilting steering column that can be adjusted by the operator to any desired position. The steering column also moves out of the way for easy entrance and exit from the operator’s seat and offers more leg and knee room for a comfortable working environment.
Machine gauges are clustered on the steering column for easy reference. The propel lever and parking brake switch are located to the right of the operator’s seat for convenient one-hand operation. The grouped controls feature a height-adjustable, padded wrist rest. An optional levelling blade is available for the CP44 and padfoot shell kit-equipped CS44s. The levelling blade features a foot-operated control, giving the operator complete control of machine steering, blade operation and propel simultaneously.
The suspension seat is fully adjustable to include fore and aft positions, bottom cushion height and suspension stiffness. Flip-up armrests and a 76mm wide retractable seat belt are fitted as standard; a rotating seat is optional.
A bolt-on, two-post ROPS/FOPS canopy, a ROPS/FOPS cab and air conditioning are available either as standard or optional extras, depending on the market area.
Noise levels in the cab and at ground level have been reduced for greater operator comfort with less noise emitted to the surrounding environment. A standard floor mat on the operator platform provides sure footing and also helps to further reduce noise and vibration transmitted to the operator. Four large isolation mounts isolate the operator platform from the machine frame, reducing vibration transfer to the cab.
The CS44 and CP44 are simple to operate. An easy-to-understand instrumentation panel allows the operator to quickly verify the status of machine systems. An audible warning alarm alerts the operator when abnormal conditions exist in the engine or hydraulic systems.
A new, sloped rear hood design provides improved operator visibility and service access. The one-piece fibreglass hood allows visibility to the outside edge of the rear tyres and to the rear of the machine from the cab. The operator is able to see obstacles measuring 1m high and 1m to the rear of the machine, whilst to the front of the machine, there is unrestricted visibility to the drum for precise operation.
Dual amplitude is standard on the CS44 and CP44. Maximum centrifugal force in high amplitude is 134kN and 67kN in low amplitude. Dual amplitude expands the application range for vibratory soil compactors as the large spread between high and low amplitude makes it easier for the operator to adapt compactive effort to changes in lift thickness, soil characteristics and density requirements.
The drum on the CS44 and CP44 incorporates a ‘pod’-style housing to enclose the Caterpillar eccentric weight system. This feature enhances reliability and makes servicing easier. The eccentric weight features an enclosed casting with repositioning steel shot on the inside. The direction of the weight shaft rotation determines high or low amplitude, which is controlled from the cab.
The pod-style weight housing is a sealed chamber inside which the eccentric weight spins. The pod is assembled and sealed in a ‘clean room’ at the factory to ensure that the internal components are clean and free from contaminants. The housing has double seals to help guard against contamination once installed. Replacement is much easier with the pod-style design as it can be exchanged while the drum stays horizontal. Because of the decreased risk of contamination and the use of synthetic oil, the change interval for the bearing lubrication oil is three years or 3,000h. Scheduled oil sampling is not necessary.
Optional vibration per minute (VPM) gauge and variable vibration frequency enhance the productivity of the CS44 and CP44 compactors. Other options include:
The CS44 and CP44 compactors compete in the 5.5–8.0 tonnes machine class and feature Caterpillar’s dual-pump propel system for improved gradeability. The dual-pump propel system provides separate hydraulic flow to the rear wheels and the drum for good tractive effort in soft underfoot conditions or steep slope applications and allows for control on a grade in forward and reverse gear.
A limited slip differential, which maximizes rear-wheel traction, is standard on all models. Top speed in forward and reverse gears is 12.3km/h. The 1,676mm drum width provides manoeuverability for working in confined quarters.
An improved engine airflow design vents engine heat at the rear of the machine, helping to prevent exhaust from blowing ground-level debris, or blowing heat on the operator. The cooling system is also 25% larger than the system on the 433E-series.
The cab features a tilting steering column that can be adjusted by the operator to any desired position. The steering column also moves out of the way for easy entrance and exit from the operator’s seat and offers more leg and knee room for a comfortable working environment.
Machine gauges are clustered on the steering column for easy reference. The propel lever and parking brake switch are located to the right of the operator’s seat for convenient one-hand operation. The grouped controls feature a height-adjustable, padded wrist rest. An optional levelling blade is available for the CP44 and padfoot shell kit-equipped CS44s. The levelling blade features a foot-operated control, giving the operator complete control of machine steering, blade operation and propel simultaneously.
The suspension seat is fully adjustable to include fore and aft positions, bottom cushion height and suspension stiffness. Flip-up armrests and a 76mm wide retractable seat belt are fitted as standard; a rotating seat is optional.
A bolt-on, two-post ROPS/FOPS canopy, a ROPS/FOPS cab and air conditioning are available either as standard or optional extras, depending on the market area.
Noise levels in the cab and at ground level have been reduced for greater operator comfort with less noise emitted to the surrounding environment. A standard floor mat on the operator platform provides sure footing and also helps to further reduce noise and vibration transmitted to the operator. Four large isolation mounts isolate the operator platform from the machine frame, reducing vibration transfer to the cab.
The CS44 and CP44 are simple to operate. An easy-to-understand instrumentation panel allows the operator to quickly verify the status of machine systems. An audible warning alarm alerts the operator when abnormal conditions exist in the engine or hydraulic systems.
A new, sloped rear hood design provides improved operator visibility and service access. The one-piece fibreglass hood allows visibility to the outside edge of the rear tyres and to the rear of the machine from the cab. The operator is able to see obstacles measuring 1m high and 1m to the rear of the machine, whilst to the front of the machine, there is unrestricted visibility to the drum for precise operation.
Dual amplitude is standard on the CS44 and CP44. Maximum centrifugal force in high amplitude is 134kN and 67kN in low amplitude. Dual amplitude expands the application range for vibratory soil compactors as the large spread between high and low amplitude makes it easier for the operator to adapt compactive effort to changes in lift thickness, soil characteristics and density requirements.
The drum on the CS44 and CP44 incorporates a ‘pod’-style housing to enclose the Caterpillar eccentric weight system. This feature enhances reliability and makes servicing easier. The eccentric weight features an enclosed casting with repositioning steel shot on the inside. The direction of the weight shaft rotation determines high or low amplitude, which is controlled from the cab.
The pod-style weight housing is a sealed chamber inside which the eccentric weight spins. The pod is assembled and sealed in a ‘clean room’ at the factory to ensure that the internal components are clean and free from contaminants. The housing has double seals to help guard against contamination once installed. Replacement is much easier with the pod-style design as it can be exchanged while the drum stays horizontal. Because of the decreased risk of contamination and the use of synthetic oil, the change interval for the bearing lubrication oil is three years or 3,000h. Scheduled oil sampling is not necessary.
Optional vibration per minute (VPM) gauge and variable vibration frequency enhance the productivity of the CS44 and CP44 compactors. Other options include:
- a two-piece padfoot shell kit for the CS44
- polyurethane scrapers on the front and rear of the drum on the smooth drum models
- a foot-controlled leveling blade for the CP44 and padfoot shell kit equipped CS44s
- bio-oil factory-fill option
- a rotating suspension seat and a brake release pump.
