01 May 2019
The new Cat 777G off-highway truck builds on the legacy of performance, reliability, and long-term durability established by 777 models since 1977, both in mining and large earthmoving applications.
According to a company spokesman, the new 777G’s Cat C32 Acert engine meets US EPA Tier 4 Final as well as EU Stage V emission standards and is available in configurations to meet emission standards of less regulated (LRC) countries.
The engine delivers 1,025 gross horsepower and incorporates a number of fuel-conservation features.
Auto Neutral Idle allows the 777G transmission to intermittently shift to neutral when the truck is idling in a forward gear to avoid stalling the torque converter and increasing engine speed, according to a spokesman for Caterpillar.
Engine Idle Shutdown, an operator-selected feature, stops the engine when the truck idles in park for more than a preset interval. Meanwhile, Speed Limiting provides an alternative to gear-limiting the 777G by allowing the truck to travel at a more fuel-efficient engine speed and in a more efficient transmission gear.
The Advanced Productivity Electronic Control Strategy (APECS) transmission controls boost fuel efficiency by maintaining momentum and speed on uphill grades during shifts.
In addition, the 777G has two operating modes, standard economy and adaptive economy. Standard economy saves fuel by reducing engine power by 0.5 to 15 per cent, based on the fleet and economic conditions at a particular site. Adaptive economy requires a production baseline for the site using the Advisor display, and then, as the truck travels the haul cycle, the system automatically evaluates the power rating needed to meet baseline requirements, the spokesman says.
“Full power is applied when needed, and reduced power is applied when appropriate. The efficiency of the 777G’s performance is further enhanced by seven per cent more engine torque and an increase in top speed,” he says.
The design of the truck focuses on fuel efficiency, enhanced visibility, and operator comfort, convenience, and safety.
The 777G features a redesigned cab that is easier to enter and exit, and has a new operator seat on the left and a more comfortable trainer seat on the right.
The truck’s overall visibility is enhanced with an optional object-detection system. Convenience items include a powered left window, automatic temperature control, throttle lock for long uphill grades, and reduced interior sound (by 50 per cent, compared with predecessor models).
Operator safety is a primary design factor for the 777G, with roll-over and falling-object protective structures integrated into the cab’s design.
Powerful wet-disc brakes are used at all four corners and provide parking brake and slope-holding capability.
The 777G’s major structures are designed for long-term durability in harsh operating conditions, engineered to endure through more than one power-train lifecycle.
The Dual Slope Body, designed for optimum material retention on haul roads with steep slopes, carries material low and centered for stability. Heaped capacity is 60.2 cu m in its standard configuration. Two side-board sizes increase capacity for lighter weight materials.
The X body has a flat floor and facilitates metering material into a crusher; standard heaped capacity is 64.1 cu m. Rubber or steel liners are available for both bodies. Light-material bodies provide capacities of up to 126 cu m.
Tyre life can be extended for the 777G with the TKPH/TMPH feature that calculates tyre loading, and a mud-protection package is available to help keep power train components clean. Hydraulic-oil filter life is 1,000 hours under normal conditions.
Fluid-fill and extraction points are grouped for convenience, and all check points are located at ground level and lit for night access. A master disconnect switch, engine lock-out switch, and hydraulic lockout switch provide a convenient method when servicing the 777G.