Wheel Dozer has New Cab, Refined Transmission and Safety Enhancements



Caterpillar’s model 834 wheel dozer has been an industry workhorse for almost 50 years. With the recent introduction of the 834K model, Cat has added significant improvements to the 105,000-lb (47,750-kg) unit that include a completely new cab, drive train refinement, new monitoring and diagnostic features, new safety features and structural enhancements. Available blade types include straight, universal, semi-universal and coal, ranging in capacity from 10.3 to 29 yd3(7.9 to 22.2 m 3 ). Rated at 496 net horsepower (370 kW), the Cat C18 engine used in the 834K is available in three configurations to tailor the machine for any region of the world: Tier 4 Final (Stage IV) using a diesel particulate filter and a selective catalytic reduction system to control emissions; Tier 3 equivalent without after-treatment; and Tier 2 equivalent without after-treatment. Fuel-saving enhancements for the 834K include engineidle-shutdown and engine-idle kick-down systems, and the delayed-engine-shutdown system protects the engine from hot shutdowns. An on-demand, hydraulically driven cooling fan reduces horsepower draw for increased efficiency.

The 834K’s 4F/3R planetary power-shift transmission features a new Advanced Productivity Electronic Control Shifting system, designed to provide greater machine momentum through shift points, enhancing performance and saving fuel. For increased productivity and precise control, the impeller clutch torque converter (ICTC) allows the operator to adjust rimpull from 100% to 25% in order to match hydraulic effort and rimpull to the operating situation. The 834K axles feature shaft-mounted, oilcooled, multiple-disc brakes. The braking system can be equipped with auxiliary oil coolers for added protection. To reduce brake loads, an available automatic retarding system maintains a set downhill speed, minimizing brake use.

The new model also has a completely redesigned operator station, with automatic temperature control, new touch-screen display with soft keypad, electro/hydraulic parking brake, and air-ride suspension seat with integral controls—including the Steering Transmission Integrated Control (STIC) that allows convenient joystick steering.

The 834K retains a full-box-section rear frame that resists torsional shock and twisting forces. Heavy-duty steering cylinder mounts are designed to transfer and effectively dissipate steering loads into the frame. Blade-mounting push beams have a “through-width” design, instead of simply being attached to the sides of the frame— a design that dissipates the stress of blade corner-loading into a larger area of the frame. New for the 834K is a redesigned rear-axle trunnion, now wider and bolted directly to the frame rails, eliminating an intermediate casting and allowing loads to be more effectively dispersed. In addition, the lower articulation point (lower hitch) has been strengthened with an increase in front frame plate thickness and a significant increase in pin diameter in conjunction with a larger bearing.

The new model features a standard rearview camera, repositioned access ladders, full-perimeter railings, and convenient ground-level panel that houses a stairway light switch, engine-shutdown switch and lockouts for the starter and transmission. Available for the 834K is the Cat Detect system, which supplements the rearview camera with radar sensors on the rear of the machine to provide both audible and visual indicators of objects in its working space.

www.cat.com

As featured in Womp 2014 Vol 02 - www.womp-int.com