Gulf Construction Online - New Cat scores on consistency

Excavators

The Cat 340D L ... packed with power.

New Cat scores on consistency

01 March 2012

THE new Cat 340D L hydraulic excavator can consistently deliver high production with exceptional durability, reliability and low operating costs, says Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment.

The new model features a heavy-duty high wide (HDHW) undercarriage, which significantly increases digging and lifting performance and allows the 340D L, with its fuel-efficient Cat C9 engine, to outperform similar machines having larger engines, according to a company spokesman.

The excavator’s broad selection of front linkages, buckets and work tools ensures its versatility, its quiet, comfortable cab ensures operator productivity, and its reduced maintenance requirements ensure minimal downtime, he adds.

Compared with the 340D L’s companion model, the 336D L, the new model’s HDHW undercarriage is 330 mm (11.8 in) wider, 270 mm (10.6 in) higher and 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) heavier.

“The HDHW undercarriage provides enhanced stability, greater lifting power – both over-end and over-side – as well as increased ground clearance in rocky terrain,” the spokesman says. “It also features multiple reinforcements in the track roller frames and car body to ensure an exceptionally durable design. In addition, the undercarriage uses grease-lubricated tracks that decrease internal bushing wear, reduce travel noise, extend service life and lower operating costs.”

Powerful engine & hydraulics

With a net-power rating of 209 kW/285 hp (ISO 14396), the six-cylinder Cat C9 engine incorporates Cat Acert technology to effectively control emissions and to deliver maximum fuel efficiency. Fuel savings are also gained from the hydraulically-driven, electronically-controlled cooling fan that conserves fuel by adjusting speed to match cooling demand.

The 340D L’s implement hydraulic system provides constant hydraulic flow through the control valve for quick response and precise controllability, but decreases flow when no hydraulic functions are activated, thus saving fuel and reducing heat. The machine has ample hydraulic horsepower to handle a wide range of buckets and work tools, and tool-control options, which further expand its versatility.

For added fuel efficiency, the 340D L has an economy working mode and uses a regeneration valve in both the boom circuit and stick circuit. The new valves transfer oil directly between the ends of the hydraulic cylinders (in certain operating situations), thus saving fuel by eliminating unneeded pump flow, he says.

Digging power

The 340D L is available with two boom options – reach and mass-excavation – and two stick options to ensure maximum flexibility when equipping the machine. An automatic swing-priority feature dedicates the flow from one pump to the swing circuit for smooth, fast cycles.

Caterpillar offers a wide range of buckets for the excavator, all featuring Cat K Series ground engaging tools. Heavy- and severe-duty buckets, available for use in extremely abrasive conditions, feature a geometry that allows fast filling and use wear protection for corners, side cutters and sidebars to extend bucket life.

Operator friendly

The pressurised 340D L cab resists dust intrusion and uses a positive air-filtration system. Frameless windows (except the rear) enhance all-around visibility, and a large skylight provides upward visibility. A full-colour monitor provides a comprehensive, intuitive machine interface, including a pre-start check and display of critical fluid levels.

A mechanical suspended seat is standard, and low-effort joysticks allow operators to work comfortably with arms on the armrests. The cab is mounted to the upper structure with viscous rubber mounts that dampen vibration, and steel tubing at the bottom of the cab’s exterior perimeter further resists vibration.

Routine maintenance of the 340D L is facilitated by convenient access to filters and check/fill points. “The connector for the Cat Electronic Technician diagnostics system is conveniently placed inside the cab,” the spokesman points out.

A water separator keeps fuel free of moisture for dependable operation, and self-lubricating bearings in the front linkage extend greasing intervals to 1,000 hours. In most applications, bucket pins require grease only at 100-hour intervals, he says.

The right service door allows ground-level access to hydraulic pumps, case-drain filter, pilot filter and engine-oil filter. SOS (scheduled oil sampling) ports for engine oil and hydraulic oil are located in the pump compartment, as is a convenient check for hydraulic-oil level.