Upgrades to airflow technology and cabin design, as well as a new GPS mapping system are helping to slash maintenance costs on Caterpillar’s updated model 815 soil compactor.
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New machine designs and revised service groupings on Cat’s upgraded 815 soil compactor are helping to reduce maintenance costs by up to 9 per cent, while compacting more area in less time.
With all components moved from the cab roof to lower in the machine’s height, the redesigned 815 also boasts a new radial air filter and improved airflow technology, which Cat says provides three times the life of previous designs and reduces cleaning and upkeep.
Check out this 2019 review of Caterpillar’s 815 soil compactor here
The heavy-duty main structures within the vehicle ‘are built to be rebuilt’, Cat says; offering multiple life cycles at a lower cost of ownership. The adjustable cleaner bar tips have also been heat-treated and direct-hardened to improve their wear life.
Cat now offers compact GPS mapping direct from the factory, giving operators better visibility in compacted areas as well as cut and fill data to help them meet compaction targets quicker and save fuel costs.
Cat’s Compaction Control with Machine Drive Power (MDP) – an energy-based measurement system – has also been included to keep operators informed by correlating compacting with rolling resistance to indicate soil stiffness.
Data of the 815’s performance are captured in real-time by the Virtual Information Management System (VIMS) and displayed to operators in the in-cab 3G touchscreen display, while Cat Link technology, which can be accessed online through Cat’s VisionLink interface, also captures operating data such as location, hours, fuel consumption, idle time and diagnostic codes.
In the field, 815 is built for high-speed travel – it boasts a 249hp engine, top speed of 11.3km/h, and with 39-inch (991mm) wide steel drums, delivers high ground pressure and compaction and excellent traction in both forward and reverse.
Inside the cabin, steering, gear selection and other functions have been combined into a single lever through Cat’s STIC system, requiring only small movements to operate.
Flip-up armrests, a new leather seat, two-way thigh adjustment, power lumbar and back bolster offer operators comfort inside the cab while automatic climate control system and forced air conditioning ensure the cab remains at the operator’s preferred settings.
The Cat 815 soil compactor is available now across Australia at Cat dealerships.