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Sell Your MachinesWed August 30, 2006
Aggregate Equipment Guide
The Caterpillar 773F, 775F and 777F off-highway trucks incorporate many new features to enhance performance, productivity and reliability, as well as operator comfort and control, according to the manufacturer. Each of the trucks has a new engine and radiator, enhanced transmission and brakes, and a new cab and operator station. The new trucks offer improved access for operators and service personnel. A new information system, Cat Messenger, aids both maintenance technicians and operators.
A variety of body styles for the 773F and 775F enable a customer to configure a truck for the specific application — to achieve optimum capacity and durability. Caterpillar now offers dual slope and flat floor body systems with three different steel liner packages and two rubber liner packages on the 773F and 775F. The 775F now has a rubber liner available in addition to the steel liner offered perviously.
The 773F and 775F are designed for quarry and construction applications in the 60-ton (54.4 t) and 70-ton (63.5 t) payload classes, respectively. The two smaller F-Series models replace the 773E and 775E.
The 777F is in the 100-ton (90.9 t) payload class, and it replaces the 777D. The 777F has applications in quarrying, construction and mining.
The F-Series trucks feature Cat engines with ACERT Technology for fuel-efficient operation, emissions compliance and responsive, reliable performance. The 773F and 775F both use the Cat C27 engine — producing net power of 703 hp (524 kW) in the 773F and 740 hp (552 kW) in the 775F. The 777F has a Cat C32 engine with ACERT Technology. Net power is 938 hp (700kW).
In the 773F the C27 engine meets U.S. EPA Tier III and European Union Stage IIIa requirements. The C27 in the 775F meets U.S. EPA Tier II and European Union Stage II regulations, as does the C32 in the 777F. The engines feature the Caterpillar MEUI Fuel System, which combines the technical advancement of electronic control with the simplicity of direct, mechanically controlled fuel injection.
Due mainly to the combustion technology, the engine service interval for each of the trucks is 500 hours — twice that of the previous models. QuickEvac, the Caterpillar on-board engine oil evacuation and pre-lube system, is standard on F-Series trucks and reduces oil change time by as much as 50 percent.
A new modular radiator design provides 3.5 times more fin spacing, making it easier to clean and service. The single-pass flow cools more efficiently when compared to the dual-pass system used previously, according to the manufacturer.
The F-Series seven-speed transmission provides a ride with smooth speed and directional shifts though the use of the Electronic Clutch Pressure Control (ECPC) system. The system individually modulates each clutch in the transmission and extends life of drive train components.
The F-Series brakes are all hydraulic, rather than air over hydraulic. The result is increased reliability, response, control, serviceability and modulation. The parking brake is integrated into the gear selector for easy operation.
Automatic retarder control (ARC) is standard on F-Series trucks. ARC automatically controls braking on grade and maintains engine speeds at approximately 1,900 rpm. ARC protects the engine from overspeeding, improves fuel efficiency, povides better control of the truck, increases productivity and eases the burden on the operator. In addition to the standard automatic retarder, the compression brake option offers a 35 percent increase in retarding speed capabilities.
Designed for
Comfortable, Efficient Operation
The new trucks use the same all-new operator station, designed to provide increased operator comfort and control. The cab has 100 percent more glass area, 18 percent more volume and more than 7 in. (17.7 cm) increased width than the previous models. An integrated stairway access system allows the operator to more easily get on and off the truck.
A new ergonomic design and layout of controls promotes operator efficiency and reduces operator fatigue. The seat is now in the center of the cab, which provides additional room and walk-in comfort. The trainer seat is to the left of the operator seat. The new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system produces greater airflow and even temperature throughout the cab.
An optional HID lighting package provides enhanced nightime visibility. Also available is an optional camera system, which provides a view of the rear of the truck through a 7-in. (17.7 cm) LCD color monitor in the cab.
Valuable machine information is available to the operator or technician through Cat Messenger, which provides real-time and stored machine performance and diagnostic data. An optional VIMS monitoring system offers more extensive machine function and payload data. For payload recording, the enhanced Truck Payload Management System (TPMS) attachment now has second gear weighing capability and 2,400-cycle storage for data analysis.
For more information, visit www.cat.com.
This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.