Wheel loaders

Cat 966H wheel loader

Cat 966H wheel loader

Wellington business C and D Landfill recently purchased two Cat 966H wheel loaders which will be used at the tip face to deal with the incoming fill

Specifications

Engine Cat C11 ACERT 286hp six-cylinder
Transmission Four-speed electronic powershift
Weight 23698kg
Static tipping load 15474kg
Max speed 37.4km/h
Max hydraulic flow 305L/m
Fuel tank 380L

The key differences between the two loaders is that one is fitted having a normal bucket and conventional steering, while the other capabilities a rock bucket and Command Control Steering. The normal bucket has a lot more capacity than the rock bucket and is also a lot more suited to loading trucks with the hardfill from the internet site. The rock bucket copes much better using the bigger pieces of concrete.

C and D Landfill keeps the 966Hs registered and road legal so they can be driven to function internet sites.

Driveline

Power comes from an 11.1L Caterpillar C11 ACERT engine, giving the 966H loader 286 horsepower. An electronic planetary powershift transmission with four speeds forward and reverse permit a top speed of 37.4km/h while a maximum of 305 litres a minute are accessible from the load-sensing hydraulic pump, which delivers the needed quantity of oil to the loader functions.

Though the loaders are working amongst demolition waste, and so on, between the 3 machines on internet site there could be on typical only 1 to two punctures per year.

Style and maintenance

All the day-to-day check points might be accessed and viewed from the ground via opening panels. A mechanical ram with manual back-up tilts the entire rear hood for effortless access to the engine bay; it also capabilities built-in lift points to aid the full removal if necessary.

Caterpillar has created it possible to get rid of the cab in about 45 minutes; all the pipes and wires are fitted with quick disconnects so nothing has to be cut.

It has also grouped the service points around the machine and created them simple to obtain at and function on. The significant rear grill swings out, followed by the coolers, to enable simple cleaning of the cooler cores. A bank of oil sampling valves is located on the best side by the centre pivot and allows speedy oil samples to be frequently collected from the engine, transmission and hydraulic systems. The oil samples are analysed to detect abnormal wear of components, which helps maintain minor repairs from turning into significant failures.

Greasing is taken care of by an auto greasing method that often emits a modest quantity of grease to all the pins.

Cab and controls

Climbing up into the spacious 966H cab is straightforward with lots of steps and significant handrails. The steering wheel and controls are fully adjustable along with the air suspension seat gives fantastic comfort. Air vents around the cab support to maintain the big windows clear.

Both loaders have the same cabs and controls; the only difference is with the steering wheels. 1 is fitted with a conventional steering wheel; direction is selected by a lever under the wheel and twisting the identical lever adjustments the gears. The dash is fitted with straightforward to read gauges even though a principal console mounted on the top correct cab pillar houses all of the switches and controls. A right-hand joystick operates the loader functions, along with a trigger-operated transmission kick-down button and horn are also incorporated into it. You’ll find detents on the joystick which are programmable to help with loader operations.

The other loader is fitted with Command Control Steering – an ergonomic looking wheel that makes it possible for the 966H to be fully turned one way with just a 70-degree movement of the steering wheel. Incorporated into a hand piece mounted on the wheel is actually a forward/neutral/reverse switch and thumb-operated upshift/downshift rocker switch. All of the machine drive controls are at the operator’s fingertips so they do not should let go of the wheel.

Performance and handling

I drive the conventional steering loader 1st. The Cat simply pushes through a truckload of dirt. As soon as the bucket is full lifting it somewhat provides the loader far more traction for the climb up the face, where it’s tipped out. The noise level inside the cab is fairly low, even when working at full power.

The joystick control for the arm and bucket combines the two actions and permits smooth movements. Having the transmission kick-down button on the joystick is wonderful. The loader could be driven around in a greater gear and when the operator approaches the pile of dirt a gear can be dropped without having having to let go of the steering wheel. The gear changes are smooth even although under load.

The detent on the bucket control is quite handy when pushing up the fill as it allowed me to look over my shoulder while backing up for one more push and the bucket automatically returns to be parallel with the ground. As soon as I’m ready to go forward the bucket is precisely where I want it.

The 966H has lots of power and hydraulic speed; it easily tackles something asked of it, and contemplating it weighs over 23 tonnes the big Cat feels quite nimble.

The Command Control Steering possibly wouldn’t suit each and every application or operator, but undoubtedly makes operating it a breeze. Having all the controls mounted on the wheel means I can steer even though thumbing up by way of the gears without having having to let go of the steering wheel. The Command Control Steering provides very rapidly manoeuvring although remaining smooth and precise.