Manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. Assembly North America Body style 2-door Dump | Production Late 2009 - Present Class Ultra | |
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout | ||
The Caterpillar 797F is an off-highway, ultra class, two-axle, mechanical powertrain haul truck developed and manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. in the United States specifically for high production mining and heavy-duty construction applications worldwide. The 797F is the third, current generation model of the 797 series and is Caterpillar's largest, highest payload capacity haul truck.
Contents
Debut
Caterpillar introduced the 797F to the public at MINExpo International in September, 2008. The 797F replaced its predecessor model, the 797B, when the 797F entered full production in late 2009. Prior to the introduction of the Caterpillar 797F and the Bucyrus MT6300AC at MINExpo International in September, 2008, the Liebherr T 282B, introduced in 2004, was the only haul truck with a payload capacity of 400 short tons (363 t).
Improvements
Compared to the 797B, the 797F has a higher payload capacity and a more powerful, more efficient engine. These changes allowed Caterpillar to meet mine operators' needs to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs by increasing the amount of material hauled per trip.
The 797F's increased payload capacity of 400 short tons (363 t) is a 20 short tons (18.1 t) increase over the 797B.
Caterpillar replaced the gross 3,550 hp (2,647 kW) [net 3,370 hp (2,513 kW)] Cat 3524B EUI 24-cylinder diesel engine used in the 797B with the gross 4,000 hp (2,983 kW) [net 3,793 hp (2,828 kW)] Cat C175-20 ACERT 20-cylinder diesel engine, enabling the 797F to maintain the 42 mph (68 km/h) top speed of the 797B while transporting a heavier 400 short tons (363 t) payload.
Engine
A gross 4,000 hp (2,983 kW) [net 3,793 hp (2,828 kW)] Cat C175-20 ACERT single block, 20-cylinder, electronic common rail injection, quad turbocharged, air-to-air intercooled, four-stroke diesel engine powers the 797F. The power rating of the C175-20 is valid up to an elevation of 7,000 ft (2,134 m) or up to 16,000 ft (4,877 m) with a high altitude arrangement.
Transmission
The 797F is equipped with a rear axle mounted, computer controlled, seven speed planetary transmission with an integral lock-up torque converter. Caterpillar is the only manufacturer of ultra class haul trucks to employ a hydraulic torque converter transmission. All ultra class haul trucks offered by competitors employ diesel-electric transmissions.
Tires
The Caterpillar 797F uses six 59/80R63 5,300 kg (11,680 lb) Michelin XDR or Bridgestone V-Steel Rock Deep radial tires.
Assembly
See Caterpillar 797 - Manufacturing and Assembly
Transportation
See Caterpillar - 797 Transportation
Final Assembly
See Caterpillar - 797 Final Assembly