Caterpillar Showcases New D1, D2, D3 Next Generation Small Dozers

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Caterpillar’s Next Gen D1, D2, and D3 form its new line of small, 80- to 104-horsepower crawler dozers. A 10- to 10.5-ton D3 model is shown above. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Caterpillar continues to roll out simplified model numbers as it unveils its new Next Gen small crawler dozers. The D1, for example, takes the place of the existing D3K and D3K2. The new D2 supersedes the D4K and D4K2, and the D3 replaces the D5K and D5K2. With these changes, Cat’s lineup of dozers will have intuitive model numbers across the board, namely the D1 to D3 on the small end, D4 to D7 in the medium range, and D8 to D11 on the large side.

The new D1, D2, and D3 offer better visibility, greater fuel economy, and finish-grade accuracy, Cat says. They come in standard and LGP (low ground contact pressure) versions with either a sealed and lubricated track (SALT) or the new Cat Abrasion undercarriage with up to 100% longer-lasting XL seals and up to 50% more durable links.

Producing More For Less

The new Next Gen dozers all use a Cat C3.6 engine with Tier 4 Final and Stage V emissions compliance. Cat says that fuel efficiency is up to 10% better than in the previous dozer models, but net power ratings remain the same. Horsepower figures are 80 hp for the D1, 92 hp for the D2, and 104 hp for the D3. Engine options include an automatically reversing fan and a turbine precleaner for the air intake.

Operating weights for the new Cats are roughly 9 tons (8.2 metric tons) for the D1, 9 to 9.5 tons (8.2 to 8.6 metric tons) for the D2, and 10 to 10.5 tons (9.1 to 9.5 metric tons) for the D3. Blade options max out at 2.17, 2.59, and 3.06 cubic yards (1.66, 1.98, and 2.34 cubic meters), respectively. Automatic Traction Control comes standard, and it no longer requires user interaction as on previous dozers.

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The new Cat small dozers come with standard, hands-free Automatic Traction Control and various grade assistance technologies. The D3 low ground pressure edition is shown above. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Operator Assistance

A bigger, 10-inch color touchscreen gives the operator control over the Next Gen dozers’ features. The cab has better sight lines to the edge of the blade thanks to a lower-sloping hood.

Various Cat features and technologies aid the user in grading operations. Slope Indicate shows the chassis’ position in the cross-slope direction for better situational awareness. The Stable Blade feature reduces operator effort in finish grading. Slope Assist—part of the Cat attachment ready option (ARO), which is scalable to the GRADE with 3D control systems—automatically maintains the user-selected blade grade angles to make the proper mainfall (fore/aft) and cross slopes (left/right) easier to attain. The Power Pitch option, meanwhile, lets the operator adjust fore/aft blade pitch from the cab, improving productivity up to 6%, Cat says.

Source: Caterpillar