Centuries of experience in the production of reliable and proven tractors have allowed Caterpillar to produce versatile, but always high-quality equipment that is used worldwide. This applies to all bulldozers of the famous brand, presented in both wheeled and tracked variations with large and low power.
The engine, which uses the Caterpillar bulldozer, is designed and assembled in the factories of the company in separate workshops. One of the most powerful representatives of the brand (D 11) has an aggregate weighing more than 100 tons with an exhaust of 634 kW, and the owner of the most modest engine is the D 3 model with a mass of 8 tons and a power of 56 kW.
A variety of models allows the consumer to choose exactly the Caterpillar bulldozer that he needs for a particular object regardless of the industry: mining, erecting complex structures or simply leveling the surface.
Features of the Caterpillar technique
In fact, all the company's equipment can be divided into three groups: small, medium and high power.
- The driver of the Caterpillar bulldozer will certainly appreciate the mobility, maneuverability and speed optimization of small equipment, as well as the accuracy of the layout. Such machines have proven themselves in the construction industry: leveling the soil surface, forming a pavement, leveling the soil, backfilling, back grading, finishing grader work and any land improvement measures.
- The average caterpillar bulldozer (D 9) provides the driver with balanced power, good controllability and moderate maneuverability, making it possible to achieve increased productivity from equipment with a significant reduction in the cost of work per territorial unit of area. The middle type is one of the best options for most developers and the mining industry.
- The high-power Caterpillar bulldozer is characterized by increased returns to the detriment of maneuverability. Thanks to the modular designs of the main units and assemblies, large equipment is relatively easy to maintain, which significantly reduces downtime.
All three types of Caterpillar equipment, from a mini-tractor to the most serious and bulky bulldozer, are distinguished by their ease of use due to well-thought-out ergonomics, know-how in the field of control devices and an intelligently designed operator's cab.
Let's try to consider each type of equipment in more detail, identifying the main advantages and disadvantages of a particular model, taking into account the opinions of experts and owner reviews.
"Caterpillar D 6"
This model can be attributed to the group of medium power. Operational weight index of about 20 tons on a tracked chassis. The Caterpillar bulldozer of the 6th series was designed and manufactured for specific work in very difficult climatic conditions, including extremely humid soils and wetlands.
The mass of the machine and the peculiarity of the main cultivator allow this technique to work out completely frozen soil at a considerable freezing depth, where the rest of the bulldozers simply can not cope.
Design features
It is also worth noting the ergonomic and comfortable operator's cab, which is equipped with all models of this group. It is equipped with interlock switches for all attachments, an automatic transmission, a distinctive throttle model and a convenient lever to control the blade.
In variant versions, the levers are equipped with a proprietary hydraulic drive of reinforced traction, which was developed in the Caterpillar workshops. The bulldozer, the technical characteristics of which allow you to perform all the "delicate" work, is in enviable demand among the miners and builders of small towns, and its enviable maneuverability will please any operator.
"Caterpillar D 9"
Model D 9 is one of the most common and popular varieties of the company's equipment. This heavy bulldozer has increased power indicators and is additionally equipped with a rear cultivator coupled with a front blade, which is easily mounted and dismounted.
The average size, durability and structural strength along with low operating costs have made this model the most popular crawler tractor in the world. Any problems of a mountain or construction nature, if not with ease, then with confidence, will be confidently solved by the Caterpillar D 9 bulldozer.
Technical characteristics of the model allow you to mount the blade in the three most common options:
- S-category, in other words, “direct dump”. The bucket is shorter compared to other varieties and is characterized by the absence of any curvature of the side links, which allows the use of equipment for planning and precise profiling - an indispensable option for landscape design.
- U-category, or "universal blade". A distinctive feature of the bucket is the high height and concavity of the main structure with large side links. Clearing and moving almost any volume of materials is ideal for the U-category.
- S / U category, or “combination blade”. The bucket is slightly shorter than the previous type, has a lower curvature of the surface and has small side links. For miners and moving large stones in quarries - the combined type is the best choice.
There are several more options for the blade, but they are less in demand and so specific that they are manufactured, delivered and mounted to order. In other cases, all three of these types will help to cope with almost any construction or mining in the most unpretentious climatic conditions.
Owner reviews
Owners of D 9 in their reviews respond very positively about the series, noting its versatility, ease of management and simple installation of the blade. D 9 is transported to the place of work in a regular manner without preparatory procedures, which cannot be avoided in more powerful bulldozers of the D 11 type.
"Caterpillar D 11"
The giant and a miracle of engineering of the company - the Caterpillar D 11 bulldozer has unrivaled power that will amaze any operator. The main prerogative of the model is the mining industry, where it has no equal in strength.
With a certain degree of versatility, the bulldozer can be converted into a multifunctional pusher scraper or rock cultivator. As varieties of dumps, D 11 uses the same buckets as the above model D 9, but with the corresponding characteristics that are suitable only for this series.
Modifications
The Caterpillar D 11 is available in several versions, and the main variation, which is in great demand in hazardous and emergency areas, is a configuration with a reinforced frame. In the company's product catalog, this option is called "Carridozer."
Consumer Opinions
Owners who are fortunate enough to possess such a colossus speak very warmly about the possibilities and versatility of the series, noting only one significant drawback: the technology is so big - 11 meters long, 3 wide and 4.5 meters high with a weight of more than 100 tons, - that transportation is becoming very inconvenient. It is necessary to remove the ripper frames, pushing beams and the blade itself.