Caterpillar Upgrade Cold Planers

13 January, 2020

First published in the January 2020 issue of Quarry Management as Planing Performance Boost

Latest Cat cold planer upgrades increase productivity and enhance uptime reliability

Caterpillar have recently introduced new upgrades to their cold-planer range that have been designed to provide increased productivity, improved operating ease and greater uptime reliability.

The upgraded models – PM620, PM622, PM820, PM822 and PM825 – are powered by a six-cylinder Cat C18 turbocharged engine that meets Tier 4 Final/Stage V emission regulations. The PM800-Series half-lane cold-planer units come with a more powerful Cat C18 engine that delivers 800hp and features multi-piece, cartridge-style filters designed to reduce waste and replacement costs. For enhanced operator comfort, the half-lane cold planers now include pivoting handrails on the right side.

Cat say they have made it easier for the operator to ‘obstacle jump’ during cutting with new visual indicators on the top edge of the side plates. These indicate where the rotor is positioned and correlate with the markings on the side plate.

Further enhancements include an updated track pin design. The half-lane planers now feature a lower pin position that increase tractive effort and force on the undercarriage when milling in deep or hard conditions. New hardened-steel, bolt-on wear skis run the full length of side plates and a wear shoe on the anti-slab assembly reduces wear and maintenance.

The PM800-Series units are available with Cat System K milling rotors, offering spacings of 8mm, 15mm and 18mm for a wide range of milling tasks. Designed for high production and manoeuvrability, the half-lame milling machines offer full-depth removal of asphalt and concrete pavements in one pass. A variety of optional features, including the Cat Grade Control system, can be installed to customize the cold planers for enhanced performance, versatility and reliability.

Meanwhile, performance-enhancing updates have also been applied to the Cat PM310, PM312 and PM313 models. Available in wheel or tracked undercarriage versions, the PM300 Series is suited to small-to-medium job sites, where compact dimensions, optimum manoeuvrability and high production are required. The newly upgraded cold planers are powered by a Cat C9.3 engine that provides 334hp of gross power and meets US EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards.

Operator safety and comfort are also well catered for on the PM300-Series machines with improved visibility and ergonomics. Key features include a new operator station that slides out by 8.5in beyond the machine frame for optimal visibility and a clear line of site down the side. For enhanced comfort, a right-side armrest has been added to the seat.

For even greater visibility, an optional camera can be mounted above the cutter box to help improve sight when making cuts beside obstacles. Operators see the camera view on an LCD display. An optional auxiliary power connector near the back of the planer can accept balloon lighting for working at night.

According to Caterpillar, the milling rotor features a dual-taper retention design that holds the tool holders in the blocks without the need for a retaining pin or bolt, whilst reversible paddles and high-strength alloys extend rotor life.

Optional Cat diamond bits have been redesigned for the System K rotor and are said to last 80 times longer than conventional carbide bits, extending bit maintenance intervals, increasing productivity and reducing operating costs. For serviceability, the manufacturer has made it easier to remove/replace bits with a hydraulically controlled turning device that controls the rotor position with a two-button pendant. For more information visit: www.cat.com