Caterpillar Announces Updates To Its PM800, PM600 & PM300 Cold Planers

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Caterpillar’s cloud-based VisionLink Productivity platform is now available for the Cat PM822 cold planer and other PM800 and PM600 milling machines. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

Caterpillar has shed some light on new updates to several of its cold planers with cutting widths ranging from 39 to 99 inches (1 to 2.5 meters) and operating weights of 23 to 41 tons (21 to 37 metric tons). Cat’s PM600 And PM800 Series milling machines now support the manufacturer’s VisionLink Productivity online platform for tracking output and efficiencies automatically instead of manually.

Also, the company’s PM300 Series of cold planers have a new engine with more peak torque and gross power, as well as improvements to their controls and material build-up protection.

PM600 & PM800 Planers With VisionLink Productivity

Caterpillar’s cloud-based VisionLink Productivity platform is now available for the company’s PM620, PM622, PM820, PM822, and PM825 cold planers. The system wirelessly collects operational data such as the number of hours the machines spend cutting asphalt and the distance milled each day, as well as fuel expenditure, location, and cycle mapping.

VisionLink Productivity also tracks inefficiencies like excess travel, slow milling speeds, and how long the planer was idle (e.g., while waiting for trucks). The system analyzes and summarizes this information to help contractors visualize the data and identify ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and equipment utilization. The platform’s dashboards offer the user a variety of ways to view key product indicators (KPIs) and more detailed data.

VisionLink Productivity can accept operational data from all brands of telematics-equipped machinery at the jobsite, not just Cat equipment. It gathers and summarizes this mixed-fleet information for smartphone, tablet, or computer access. The system can also create detailed reports in PDF, Excel, and CVS formats that it can deliver via email at a scheduled time.

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The Cat PM310 and other PM300 Series cold planers have a new engine with more peak torque and gross power, as well as improvements to their controls and build-up guards. (Photo courtesy of Caterpillar.)

New Engine, Operation Enhancements In The PM300 Series

Cat’s maneuverable PM310, PM312, and PM313 bring productivity to small and medium planing applications. The three models now have a more powerful Cat C9.3B engine with 343 horsepower (256 kilowatts) and a more straightforward design. The manufacturer upgraded the C9.3B motor’s electronic, fuel, and air systems and provided easier access to its cartridge-style, waste-reducing engine filters. Cat gave the engine EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V emissions controls; it comes with less-stringent Korea Stage V or Brazil MAR-1 emission standards in those markets.

The manufacturer also improved the PM300 series’ operator experience for users on the machine or the ground. The left-hand camera now displays an adjustable onscreen guidance line to help the operator track the cutting edge from either side of the machine. Also, the rear ground controls allow personnel on the pavement to lift the rotors to clear obstacles.

Cat also added several enhancements to the PM300 machines to better contain material and reduce build-up on the conveyor and tracks. The improvements include redesigned sealing and transition flashing, as well as front track deflectors positioned ahead of the drive motors.

Operator experience improvement options for the Cat PM310, PM312, and PM313 include a stowable exhaust deflector, more effective dust abatement ducting, and wide-dispersion LED working and roading lights.

Source: Caterpillar