Mining Magazine > Panorama > Cat F series nears full production

Panorama

Caterpillar is making rapid progress with the development of its Cat 793F, 797F and 795F AC trucks which were unveiled at MINExpo 2008. Following successful test programs, the company has announced that the 793F will go into full production within the next few months and the 797F later this year.

The 793F and the 797F have now accumulated more than 75,000 hours of field testing and have proven their performance capabilities and durability. Caterpillar engineers have been testing two 795F AC prototypes, including the truck shown at MINExpo, at the Tucson Proving Grounds. The development program has provided input for the construction of a new 795F AC in Decatur, Illinois. The new truck was recently shipped to a copper mine in North America where it will serve as the first field-follow 795F AC.

The 795F features four-corner blended braking and retarding using Cat oil immersed and cooled disc brakes, as well as electrical retarding to enhance safety and operator confidence. A remote-mounted generator enables servicing without removing major components, and wheel motors mounted inside the axle enable easy servicing of the final drives. The retarding grids are radial in design to promote a uniform air flow for better reliability.    

The 313t capacity 795F AC will enter a new size class for Caterpillar, and has been the primary focus of the Caterpillar AC electric program. The commercial launch date will be defined as the field-follow program progresses.

“It’s fitting that soon after producing the 50,000th Cat off-highway truck, we are now shipping our first ultra-class AC electric drive truck to a mine,” said Chris Curfman, president of Caterpillar Global Mining.

“With the latest technology in AC electric drives now available, Caterpillar is able to offer both types of drive to the mining industry. We see the addition of electric mining trucks as a complement to our mechanical drive trucks,” explained Ed McCord, mining truck product manager at Caterpillar.     

The new Cat C175 engine that power all three truck models has undergone 130,000 hours of field testing in mining trucks, and more than 120,000 hours in power systems. The diesel engine meets US EPA Tier 2 emissions standards and promises longer life between rebuilds, lower sound levels, improved altitude capability and improved fuel consumption compared to the 3500 Series engines it replaces.