Caterpillar built its first track loader in 1955. With its pedigree for digging, the track loader has excavated millions of building foundations all over the globe. It wasn't long before customers demanded that the strength and versatility of this machine be adapted to the forestry, demolition, steel mill and waste industries. With Caterpillar built and designed waste handling features, the track loader is now considered the second most useful machines in a landfill (after the compactor). The Cat® 973D is the largest, most powerful track loader in the world, and it's the safest, most environmentally friendly and efficient track loader Caterpillar has ever built. Put it to work in waste, it's designed for it. Read on for more information on the 973D's waste handling attributes, and how they can benefit your operation.
Engine Model | Cat® C9 ACERT™ |
Operating Weight | — |
Capacity - General Purpose Landfill | — |
Engine Model | Cat® C9 ACERT™ |
Flywheel Power | — |
Track Shoe Width - Standard | — |
Track Shoe Width - Optional | — |
Track Gauge | — |
Ground Pressure - Standard Shoe | — |
Ground Pressure - Optional Shoe | — |
Track Shoe Type | Double Grouser, Extreme Service |
Track Motor | Two, variable-displacement, bent axis piston motors |
Maximum System Pressure | — |
Type | Hydrostatic drive with infinite machine speeds up to 11 km/h (6.8 mph) |
Drive Pump | Two, variable-displacement, slipper-type axial piston pumps |
Float Down | — |
Cycle Time - Dump | — |
Output - Maximum | — |
Relief Valve Setting | — |
Type | Closed Center Load Sensing |
Cycle Time - Raise | — |
Fuel Tank | — |
Cooling System | — |
Hydraulic Tank | — |
Alternator | 95 amp, Heavy-Duty, Brushless |
Battery Capacity | 1400 CCA |
Type | 24V DC |
Battery Quantity | 2 |
Battery Voltage | 12 |
Operating Weight | — |
Capacity - General Purpose Landfill | — |
Capacity - General Purpose | — |
Capacity - Multi-Purpose Landfill | — |
Capacity - Multi-Purpose | — |
Width - General Purpose Landfill | — |
Width - General Purpose | — |
Width - Multi-Purpose Landfill | — |
Width - Multi-Purpose | — |
Type | Parallelogram |
Number of Pockets | 3 |
Overall Width/Beam | — |
Penetration | — |
Ripping Width | — |
Standards | Standards |
Air Conditioning | The air conditioning system on this machine contains the fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant R134a (Global Warming Potential = 1430). The system contains 1.9 kg of refrigerant which has a CO2 equivalent of 2.717 metric tonnes. |
Final drive guarding protects two ways, first against debris impact loads and secondly from abrasive materials like waste and demolition materials. These drives are manufactured with an abrasion resistant steel for long life.
A front idler guard blocks material from affecting the yoke, link, recoil rod and idler in the drive train.
Protects the lift cylinder, hydraulic lines and position sensor harness from mud and waste.
Deflects debris away from the hydraulic tank.
Act as a debris barrier that prevents oil gauge damage and debris entry in the engine compartment.
Protect steel hydraulic lines for Multi-Purpose Bucket from damage caused by material pushed upward between lift arms when back-dragging. The guards are located at the inner side of the lift arm.
Designed to prevent large debris from riding up the track and damaging the machine. Also serves as a step for entering the cab.
While guarding will protect most of the machine from impact loads, additional protection is needed to keep smaller particles from clogging air circulation around and to the engine. Following are additional waste handling features that are important to machine uptime.
Designed to keep the operator safe from debris that could break the windshield. It's hinged to allow easy access to the glass for cleaning.
This grill is designed with louvers angled at 45° to deflect debris.
Providing space between radiator fins allows smaller debris to pass through. This promotes better cooling performance and reduces the number of cleanouts. The 973D is equipped with a 6 fpi radiator and coolers.
This feature reduces cooling package plugging, enhances cold weather operation, improves fuel economy and reduces exterior noise. In the waste handling applications, a lower air flow reduces the amount of garbage collected on air inlets which increases the maintenance interval.
The 973D has a new cab that promotes comfort and focus on the job. Operators enjoy greater visibility around the machine fostering greater confidence and safety.
For the greatest return on your investment, your 973D should be equipped specifically for the demands of your job site. The 973D comes with two bucket options, trash rack options and a ripper. Choosing the right bucket will make the most of the machine's versatility. Both buckets offer long life and durability in waste applications. • General Purpose Landfill bucket - has a capacity of 4.9 m3 (6.4 yd3) and can be equipped with an optional trash rack for dozing lightweight materials. This bucket is designed for easy loading in stockpile or hard bank materials. Adding the trash rack helps prevent material from spilling over the top and increases dozing capacity by 52%.
• Multi Purpose Landfill bucket - has a capacity of 4.6 m3 (6.0 yd3) and can greatly expand the 973D's versatility. It can act as a typical bucket for loading trucks, dozing waste or digging. It can also instantly change into a dozer-type blade for spreading cover material, or it can sort material with the ability to clamp on to debris. By adding the trash rack to this bucket, its capacity to doze and load material increased 53%.
• Ripper - A 3-shank parallelogram ripper facilitates working in frozen ground and hard materials like asphalt, rocky ground and hard clay. Ripper shank options are available to help improve ripping productivity.
• K Series™ Tooth System - offers options that match the requirement of your job site. The system is easy to change, stays secure on the bucket, and offers long term sharpness.
In high-hour applications, pausing to fuel can be a drain on productivity. The 973D's fast fill system is capable of adding fuel at 568 L/min (150 gal/min).
Machine balance is critical in poor underfoot conditions, load and carry and truck loading applications. Caterpillar offers a counterweight package that provides 1460 kg (3,218 lb) to the rear of the machine. Counterweight is ideal for machines not equipped with a ripper.
The front windshield is sealed to ease replacement in the field and maximize uptime.
This system identifies the specific machine issue, displays the fault and facilitates quick resolution by service personnel.
This option can keep vital personnel in contact with the machine, its performance including fuel use, its parts and service needs and out of spec operation or locations. Service is more efficient with advance notice of required parts, and timing can be arranged per your schedule.
This feature allows service personnel to access important drive train and hydraulic components. The cab can tilt 30 degrees in the field with the aid of a hydraulic jack or tilt 90 degrees using an external lifting device.
Choosing this option when purchasing the machine will add the convenience of quick evacuation for engine oil and sediment flushing of the fuel tank.
Cat dealers offer a wide range of solutions, services and products to help you lower costs, enhance productivity and manage your operation more efficiently. From the time you select a piece of Cat equipment until you trade or sell it, the support you get from your Cat dealer makes the difference.
Cat dealers provide the level of support you need on a global scale. Dealer expert technicians have the knowledge, experience, training and tooling necessary to handle your repair and maintenance needs, when and where you need them.
When Cat products reach the field, they are supported by a worldwide network of parts distribution facilities, dealer service centers and technical training facilities to keep your equipment up and running. Cat customers rely on prompt, dependable parts availability through our global dealer network, meeting your needs 24/7.
Operating and maintenance costs are influenced by many application and site-specific factors, such as: material density, loading position, payload, grades, speeds, haul road design and maintenance. Your Cat dealer can provide you with an understanding of the effects application characteristics and operating techniques have on maintenance and operating costs.
Your Cat dealer offers training programs to help operators improve productivity, decrease downtime, reduce operating costs and enhance safety.
Caterpillar is committed to building safe products that contribute to your business, promote efficient energy use and help protect the environment.
The 973D is a Tier 3/Stage IIIA emissions compliant machine with reduced levels of carbon dioxide and soot.
The 973D has reduced noise levels of 77 dB(A) dynamic with noise reduction technology throughout the cab.
Caterpillar and your Dealer can offer you remanufactured parts, customer service agreements and rebuild options. The machine is designed to limit downtime with 500 hour oil and filter changes, waste specific guarding and protection, and quick evacuation of engine oil and hydraulic oil. Scheduled oil sampling can monitor the health of your machine. Parts commonality with other Cat equipment reduces parts stocking requirements at either your shop or the Dealer's.
When the time comes, all of the steel that makes up the 973D Waste Handler can be recycled and reused.
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