Details about the CATERPILLAR 330 crawler excavator and its modifications

Currently, the American manufacturer of heavy special equipment Caterpillar is one of the largest and most popular in its segment. This brand has more than 110 factories located on all continents, engaged in mass production of more than 300 different types of special vehicles. The company specializes in the production of highly reliable and productive machines designed to perform earthmoving, mining, construction and other work. One of the representatives of all products is the Caterpillar 330 heavy crawler excavator. The key features of this model are versatility, high build quality and all structural elements, as well as reasonable cost. It is worth noting that the Cat 330 excavator was specifically designed to work in rather harsh conditions. Its proper operation is observed at temperatures from minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees.

Engine

The Cat® C9 engine gives the 330D/330DL exceptional power and fuel efficiency, making it best-in-class for any job.

Cat C 9. The Cat C9 engine with ACERT™ Technology is the result of a series of incremental improvements and represents a major advance in engine technology. ACERT technology is based on three blocks - a fuel supply system, an air supply control system and an electronic control system. ACERT technology helps optimize engine performance while meeting off-road emissions standards (EU Stage II). By combining ACERT technology with the new Eco Mode, users can find the perfect balance between fuel consumption and productivity needed for any job.

Automatic engine speed control. A two-stage, one-touch switch reduces fuel consumption and noise levels.

ADEM ™ A 4 Electronic Engine Control Module. The ADEM A4 electronic engine control unit controls the fuel supply so that every liter of fuel is used to the maximum. The engine management system allows for flexible fuel distribution, allowing the engine to instantly respond to changing power demands during various tasks. The system evaluates the operating conditions of the engine and the machine as a whole and at the same time keeps the engine running as efficiently as possible.

Fuel supply. In the Cat C9 engine, fuel injection is controlled electronically. The distributed fuel injection system requires high control precision. A correctly calculated and implemented fuel combustion cycle is an opportunity to limit the temperature in the combustion chamber, reduce the emission of toxic substances, and ensure complete combustion. This way the fuel is used with maximum efficiency.

Cooling system. The cooling system fan is driven directly from the engine. To reduce noise, a cooling system fan driven through a viscous coupling can be installed. The optimal fan speed is determined electronically taking into account the required engine speed, coolant temperature, hydraulic oil temperature and the current fan speed.

The use of the Cat C9 engine has allowed the engine compartment to be redesigned to separate the engine from the cooling system components.

Air filter. The radial seal air filter, equipped with a two-layer filter element, improves the efficiency of cleaning the air entering the engine. The filter is located in a special compartment behind the operator's cabin.

If the filter is contaminated above the permissible level, a corresponding warning is displayed on the operator’s monitor.

Noise reduction technologies . Rubber-metal engine mounts are designed taking into account the characteristics of the power unit. In addition, to reduce noise, certain changes have been made to the engine design: the valve box cover, camshaft drive mechanism cover and crankcase are equipped with noise insulation, the shape of the crankcase has changed, and the design of the drive gears has been optimized. The use of a distributed fuel injection system also contributed to the reduction in noise.

Hydraulic system

Caterpillar hydraulics provide the power and precision you need to keep your job running smoothly.

Layout of hydraulic system elements. The 330D hydraulic system is designed to provide a high level of efficiency. The main pumps, distributors and hydraulic tank are located nearby, which made it possible to limit the length of pipelines between system elements and reduce friction losses and pressure drop in the line. The radiator is located on the upper platform on the cab side, making the operator’s working conditions even more comfortable. Fresh air enters the engine compartment from the operator's side, while heated air and accompanying engine noise are exhausted from the opposite side. Thus, the heat generated in the engine compartment and the noise from the engine affect the operator to a lesser extent.

Hydraulic control circuit. The control circuit pump is independent of the main pumps and controls the operation of the boom and arm, turntable and undercarriage.

Hydraulic sensor control system for load occurrence. The hydraulic sensor control system for the appearance of load in any operating conditions uses the capabilities of both hydraulic pumps one hundred percent. The working elements move faster, turning the platform takes less time. As a result, productivity increases.

Boom and arm regeneration circuit. The regeneration circuit saves energy when the boom is lowered and the arm is retracted, which increases productivity, reduces cycle times and pressure loss, reducing costs and fuel consumption.

Additional hydraulic distributor. The optional distributor is standard on 330D excavators. Additionally, control circuits can be installed, allowing you to operate attachments that require high or medium pressure: shears, grabs, hydraulic hammers, shredders, multiprocessors, vibration compactors, etc.

Hydraulic cylinder dampers. The dampers are located on the rod chamber side of the boom cylinder and on both sides of the arm cylinder, they absorb shock loads while reducing noise and extending component life.

Modifications

Over the years, the manufacturer has released more than 30 modified versions designed to perform work of any complexity. However, the most popular are the following models:

• Modification of Caterpillar 330 LC. This version differs from the basic excavator in having an extended tracked platform (Long Carriage). This is precisely what is indicated in the model index.
• Modification of Caterpillar 330B. This version is available in several trim levels: L., L ME., L SLR., L UHD., LC., LN., LN ME., L/LN., and MH. This series has a completely redesigned hydraulic system, which allows for increased breakout force.
• Modification of Caterpillar 330C. The excavator of this series is also available in several configurations, namely: L., L ME., LN., LN ME., CL LR. and C.L. Based on the markings of the machine, it can be understood that this modification is produced on the market with an extended tracked platform and various types of booms. The C in the index indicates a reduced turning radius of the platform, which allows you to perform any operations in cramped conditions.
• Modification of Caterpillar 330D. This version is the latest development from the manufacturer. A distinctive feature of this modification is the increased pressure in the hydraulic system, which made it possible to increase the productivity and traction force of the excavator. When performing work with fairly high loads, the hydraulic pressure increases to 36 megapascals. Among the additional options, it is necessary to note several types of tracked platforms; arrows and handles; as well as a special mechanism designed to lift the cabin. This version is released on the world market in the following configurations: ES., ES VA., L VA., L., L ME., L VA., LN., LN ME., LN VA., and MH.

Operator's workplace

The 330D's cab is designed to be simple, easy to operate and comfortable, allowing the operator to focus on the job.

Operator's workplace. The cab is spacious, comfortable and quiet to help maintain operator productivity during long workdays. Air conditioning switches and implement controls are conveniently located on the right wall, while the ignition switch and throttle grip are located on the right console. The monitor is conveniently located, and the data on the screen is clearly visible.

Standard cab equipment. To enhance operator comfort and productivity, the cab features a cigarette lighter, cup holder, clothes hanger, hour meter, document compartment, technical documentation shelf and storage compartment.

Monitor. The cockpit is equipped with a full-color LCD monitor with a resolution of 400 x 234 pixels. To prevent the monitor from reflecting, it can be rotated. Interface settings allow you to display information in 27 languages.

The monitor is equipped with a warning light that will flash if:

• the engine oil pressure drops below normal;
• the temperature of the liquid in the engine cooling system increases;
• The temperature of the hydraulic oil rises.

During normal operation, the monitor displays by default four pages, which display the clock and throttle position, instrument readings, information about the operations being performed and other information necessary for the operator.

Clock and throttle position indicator. The clock and throttle position are displayed here. When the engine is in Eco mode or when the power management system is engaged, a gas pump icon appears next to the throttle position indicator.

Instrument readings. This page displays three analog gauges: fuel level, hydraulic oil temperature, and coolant temperature.

Information about the operations being performed. This page displays machine status information, icons, and interface language.

Other information. This page displays a variety of information necessary for the operator. When information of interest to the operator is missing, the CAT logo is displayed on the monitor.

Joystick controls. Controlling the machine using joysticks does not require much effort. The joysticks are ergonomic: during their development, the normal position of the operator’s shoulders and hands was taken into account. When operating the joystick, the operator's hand rests on the armrest. The vertical and horizontal movements of the joystick are designed so as not to cause much fatigue.

Seat. The 330D excavator can be equipped with an air suspension seat. It, like the standard seat, is adjustable in both the longitudinal direction and height, and the stiffness of the suspension can be adjusted depending on the weight and height of the operator. There are adjustable armrests and a retractable seat belt.

The hydraulic activation lever is part of the safety system: in order to operate the machine's hydraulics, the lever must first be moved to the working position.

Microclimate control. The standard cab seals provide reliable dust protection. In addition, the ventilation system, equipped with a filter, provides a constant supply of purified air. There is a ventilation mode switch on the left panel: it is possible to supply outside air to the operator’s cabin or recirculate air inside the cabin.

Console. The redesigned consoles feature a functional design that reduces operator fatigue. All switches are easily accessible, and the remote controls do not interfere with your view. Both consoles are equipped with height-adjustable armrests.

Cabin design. The frame on which the cabin is mounted is made of thick-walled tubular elements, which increases resistance to metal fatigue and reduces vibration.

This design allows the Falling Object Guard (FOGS) to be attached directly to the cab components. Depending on the technical requirements and operating conditions, the protection can be installed at the factory or purchased later as additional equipment.

Cabin supports. The cab is attached to the frame via rubber-metal mounts, which reduce vibration and noise levels, thereby increasing operator comfort.

Cabin glazing. To improve visibility, all glass is attached directly to the cab panels without any intermediate elements (frames, etc.). The top of the front glass closes, opens and locks into place above the operator in one motion.

Windshield wipers are mounted on stands and do not restrict the operator's visibility. There are two modes of operation of the windshield wipers: constant and intermittent.

Ceiling window. The oversized skylight with sunshade provides excellent overhead visibility and ventilation.

Strength structural elements

The structural strength elements and chassis of the 330D/330DL excavator are the basis for the durability of the machine.

Robotic welding. Up to 95% of welds on Caterpillar® excavators are performed by robots. The penetration depth of welds made by robotic systems is three times greater than with manual welding.

Chassis. The durable Cat undercarriage absorbs shock and provides exceptional stability.

Design of the chassis frame and road wheels. The X-shaped box-section frame provides high resistance to bending and torsion. The frames of the road wheels, made using robotic welding, are pentagonal structures made of stamped elements. They are distinguished by their highest strength and long service life.

Main frame. The long service life of the rigid frame of the turntable is achieved due to the optimal design of its elements.

Track rollers and idlers. Hermetically sealed and lubricated track and support rollers and idlers provide long service life, allowing the machine to operate longer.

Standard chassis. The standard undercarriage is ideal for jobs where the machine needs to be moved frequently, such as on a limited job site or over uneven, rocky terrain.

Extended chassis. The Long Undercarriage (L) improves stability and increases the machine's lifting capacity. It is longer, wider and stiffer than the standard one, which ensures a more stable position of the turntable.

Arrows and Sticks

The design of the booms and arms ensures high productivity and efficiency in any type of work.

Booms, sticks and attachments. The 330D / 330DL excavator is a versatile machine designed for a wide variety of jobs. It can be equipped with a variety of booms and arms to achieve maximum efficiency.

Arrows and handles. There are three different boom lengths and eight arm types, allowing for a variety of configurations to suit a variety of applications.

Arrows. To ensure strength during long-term operation, the cross-section of the booms has been increased, and reinforcing plates are placed inside the box-shaped structure.

Handles. The handles are made of high-strength steel and have a larger cross-section. Reinforcing plates are provided inside the box-shaped structure. The lower part of the handles is equipped with additional protection.

Extended boom. The improved design of the extended boom allows you to increase the size of the working area. It can be used with the following four types of handles.

The reinforced extended boom with a length of 6.5 meters has increased strength, which is necessary for particularly heavy work.

The mass excavation boom increases productivity. It provides more force on the tip of the bucket and allows you to handle larger buckets.

Hinge axes. To ensure reliability and durability, the hinge axes were increased in size. To protect against wear and corrosion, they are coated with a significant thickness of chrome plating.

Bucket lever mechanism. The hydraulic cylinder arm increases the life and lifting capacity of the machine in key lifting positions, and is also easier to use than the lifting eye that was previously used.

Price

To purchase a Caterpillar 330 crawler excavator in completely new condition currently costs between 7 million rubles and 10.2 million Russian rubles. The final cost, as a rule, directly depends on the year of production of the equipment, configuration (including additional equipment and attachments), as well as on the version (basic or modified).

In addition, there is now a fairly large amount of used equipment on the markets, the cost of which varies from 2 million rubles to 4.1 million Russian rubles. More recent models cost from 4 million rubles to 6.8 million Russian rubles. In this case, the final cost also depends on the year of production of the model, the general technical condition, installed attachments and the number of engine hours worked.

Attachments (working) equipment

The ability to use a variety of implements increases the efficiency of the 330D / 330DL excavator.

Life time. Using Caterpillar buckets increases equipment life and reduces equipment repair costs.

• The design of the bucket (two conjugate arcs) made it possible to increase the clearance angle and reduce wear.
• The hinge unit is welded on a robotic line, which increases the penetration depth of the welds and, accordingly, extends the service life.
• Utilizes the new high performance GET K Series™ cutting element system.
• The parts subject to the greatest wear are made of high-strength heat-treated steel, which has characteristics superior to T-1.

Excavation buckets (X) are designed to work with light, moderately abrasive soils - slurry, loam, gravel, clay.

High life (HD) buckets can be used when working with moderately abrasive materials - mixed light soils, clay, rocky soil. Long life buckets have optimal loading and unloading characteristics and are easier to unload sticky material. Compared to general purpose buckets, they have a more robust design.

Heavy Duty Long Life Buckets (HDP) . The buckets are designed for use in moderately abrasive soils where breakout force and cycle time are critical. They can reduce cycle times and increase edge force on most materials. These buckets are not designed to handle sticky soils. The cutting edge and cutting elements are larger in size.

Long-life rock buckets are designed for loading highly abrasive materials - granite and rock - in mining areas using blasting operations.

Their main features:

• Thickened skid plates to extend the life of the bucket in heavy-duty applications.
• To provide maximum protection when working with rocky soils, the height of the side protective plates has been increased.
• Buckets can be equipped with side edge protection or cutting edges, which not only provides wear protection, but also optimizes bucket filling.

Cutting elements (GET). Caterpillar K Series™ buckets feature new teeth. They are secured with impactless vertical locking pins, making installation and removal easier than Cat J Series pins. The teeth have more penetrating force for easier penetration into the ground than previous generations of teeth. A wide selection of side cutting edges and side guards allows you to choose the best bucket for the job.

Tool management system. The tool management system allows you to increase the productivity of working tools by adjusting the flow, pressure and commands from the controls individually for each individual tool. The system is universal - it makes it possible to work with various tools.

Cat® grapples enhance your excavator's capabilities. A grab-equipped bucket turns the excavator into a multi-purpose loader.

Cat hydraulic hammers are engineered to match the performance of Cat machines to dramatically improve productivity in all demolition and construction applications.

By using interchangeable jaws, multiprocessors can be used in a wide variety of demolition jobs. Replaceable jaws allow you to use the same unit for destruction, crushing, cutting of various materials, including reinforcement, steel containers, etc.

Cat vibrating plate compactors provide superior compaction force in a durable, low-maintenance design.

Vibration compactors produce powerful pulses with a frequency of 2200 beats per minute. Vibration causes soil particles to be pressed closer together, resulting in a tight and uniform compaction.

CAT Vibratory Compactors are the ideal solution for any compaction job on the jobsite, trench or slope, road or piling site.

Distinctive features of Caterpillar cutting shears include 360-degree rotation in any direction and high force-to-weight ratio. They can be used to destroy steel structures and prepare scrap metal for subsequent processing (cutting cars, agricultural machinery, railway cars).

Pin-Grabber Plus quick couplers make your Cat excavator even more versatile and easy to operate. They allow the use of any attachment with a standard articulated pin design.

Special quick couplers. Quick couplers extend the versatility of Cat excavators by easily changing work attachments in minutes or even seconds. Buckets designed to work with quick couplers have the same tip radius as conventional buckets and provide maximum breakout force.

Purpose

This model is often used in large construction organizations and industrial sectors; mining industries; quarries and deposits.

The Caterpillar 330 is designed to perform tasks such as digging trenches and foundation pits; loosening of rocks and frozen soils; compaction of loose soil; drilling wells of various depths and diameters; loading and unloading; creation of embankments of soil and other bulk materials; leveling the working area; cleaning work sites from industrial waste; quarrying; excavation, opening of asphalt and concrete surfaces; destruction of concrete and reinforced concrete structures.

Maintenance

Easy maintenance saves time and money.

Maintenance from the ground level. The design and layout of the 330D/330DL excavator was designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Most service points are accessible from ground level. This allows the most critical maintenance work to be completed quickly and efficiently.

Air filter compartment. The air filter is equipped with two filter elements, which improves its performance. If the filter is clogged, a corresponding warning is displayed on the monitor in the operator's cabin.

Pump compartment. An access hatch located on the right side of the top platform provides ground level access to the control circuit pump and filter.

Radiator compartment. The rear left door provides access to the engine radiator, oil cooler and air-to-air cooler. To simplify maintenance, a spare tank and drain valve are installed on the radiator.

Capsule type hydraulic filter. The capsule-type return line hydraulic filter is located outside the hydraulic tank. This filter protects the system from contamination during oil changes and keeps it clean during operation.

Lubrication points. A boom-mounted central lubrication unit delivers grease to hard-to-reach spots at the front of the machine.

Fan protection grille. The engine cooling radiator is completely enclosed with fine wire mesh, reducing the risk of accidents.

Anti-slip coating. The storage compartment and upper platform are covered with an anti-slip plate to provide stability during maintenance.

Diagnostics and monitoring. The 330D is designed with oil sampling ports on the test leads to check the condition of hydraulic oil, engine oil, and engine coolant. The operator compartment is equipped with a connector for connecting a Cat Electronic Technician (Cat ET) diagnostic tool.

Extended maintenance intervals. Extended maintenance intervals reduce servicing time on your 330D and increase availability.

Specifications

Caterpillar boom loaders are the most cost-effective machines in the timber and lumber industry.

Caterpillar 330 crawler excavator technical specifications and description

Currently, the American manufacturer of heavy special equipment Caterpillar is one of the largest and most popular in its segment. This brand has more than 110 factories located on all continents, engaged in mass production of more than 300 different types of special vehicles.

The company specializes in the production of highly reliable and productive machines designed to perform earthmoving, mining, construction and other work. One of the representatives of all products is the Caterpillar 330 heavy-duty crawler excavator.

The key features of this model are versatility, high quality of assembly and all structural elements, as well as reasonable cost. It is worth noting that the Cat 330 excavator was specifically designed to work in rather harsh conditions.

Its proper operation is observed at temperatures from minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees.

Description and features

The versatility of the equipment is due not only to its fairly high performance characteristics, but also to a very extensive range of additional attachments, which includes units such as a hydraulic breaker; a type of bucket; drilling units; hydraulic shears; tamping units; rippers and much more. Thanks to a well-thought-out mounting scheme, changing work equipment can be carried out directly during the work process in a matter of minutes.