The Caterpillar 330D crawler excavator is a large-sized, high-performance special equipment that is often used for quarrying and construction of any facilities. The leading position in sales in the markets was occupied thanks to the hydraulic system, which boasts not only great power, but also the smoothness of all movements, which allows for precise and accurate work. Also important factors for the good reputation of this model are a powerful power unit, reliable components and structural elements of the excavator, as well as wide application. For example, machines were built on the basis of the Cat 330D that significantly expand the scope of application of this series of excavators.
The weight of the machine is not small and so that the excavator can not only move from its place, but also move throughout the entire working area, the manufacturer equipped the model with a fairly powerful power unit of its own production - C9 ALERT, which is capable of developing a rated output power of 200 kilowatts or 272 horsepower. strength. This engine is often used in heavy machines, as it has increased resistance to high loads and a long service life.
Purpose
Caterpillar 330D is designed for work in fields, mining industries, quarries, construction of any large-scale facilities, as well as in laying roads. As a rule, an excavator performs loosening of hardened or frozen soils and rocks, digging trenches, pits and filling them, leveling the area of the working area, loading and unloading bulk materials (most often it is loose soil), as well as carrying out dismantling work of concrete and reinforced concrete structures.
It is worth noting that on the basis of this model, the manufacturer built machines that made it possible to expand the range of tasks it performed. Namely, this is the Caterpillar 330UND (stands for Ultra High Demolition), which is intended exclusively for dismantling work and complete demolition; Caterpillar 330LR (stands for Long Reach), designed for slope profiling; Caterpillar 330DC (stands for Ditch cleaner), which is used to clean the bottom of reservoirs and rivers. In addition to all this, models equipped with vibrating hammers have also been developed.
Details about the CATERPILLAR 330 crawler excavator and its modifications
CATERPILLAR is considered one of the largest players in the global construction and earthmoving equipment market. The company has more than 110 representative offices on all continents, which to date have produced more than 300 varieties of earthmoving, mining and construction machines.
The main characteristic of CATERPILLAR equipment is versatility, which is combined with high quality and reasonable cost. The company's designers always follow the needs of modern construction, making appropriate changes to the model range.
As a result, machines with the CATERPILLAR logo can perform any work, regardless of complexity and climatic conditions.
CATERPILLAR 330DL
Advantages of crawler excavators
CATERPILLAR crawler excavators have a lot of undeniable advantages. We can start with the fact that this type of equipment is much superior to its pneumatic-wheeled counterparts in terms of power and performance. In addition, the caterpillar propulsion system ensures that work can be carried out on unstable soils and wetlands. Excavators are used for the following types of work:
- Digging construction pits.
- Formation of trenches.
- Loading/unloading operations in sand quarries, coal mines and the mining industry.
- Dismantling of road surfaces and reinforced concrete structures.
It is worth noting that the equipment can work with various types of quick-change equipment, which significantly expands the scope of application of these machines.
If we talk about the advantages of CATERPILLAR crawler excavators, we can highlight the following features:
- A cabin with an increased level of comfort and safety with panoramic glazing. There is a comfortable chair with air suspension, the armrests of which integrate the main elements for controlling the working parts.
- Hydraulic system with intelligent control system. Thanks to an electronic control system, the pumps optimally distribute the hydraulic fluid pressure depending on the load on the equipment. It is worth noting that the equipment is standardly equipped with a SMART BOOM, which minimizes vibration during operation.
- Diesel engines created using ACERT technology. Sensors for monitoring fuel consumption are integrated into the system, which significantly increases the productivity of the machines.
It is worth noting that CATERPILLAR equipment is very demanding on the quality of the fuel used and the frequency of maintenance. But compliance with mandatory requirements significantly increases the service life of excavators, reducing equipment downtime during forced repairs.
Model range overview
Best of all, the evolution of CATERPILLAR crawler excavators can be traced using the example of the 330 model, on the basis of which about 30 modifications were produced, designed to perform work of any complexity.
First, let's look at the technical characteristics of the base model. The main parameters of the CATERPILLAR 330 will look like this:
CATERPILLAR 330LC
Based on the prototype, a modification of the CATERPILLAR 330 LC was created. With similar technical parameters, the model received an extended cart, as indicated by the “LC” index: LONG CARRIAGE.
CATERPILLAR 330B
To perform heavy work, a modification of the CATERPILLAR 330B was created, which came in the following configuration:
- L.
- LME.
- L SLR.
- L UHD.
- L.C.
- LN.
- LN ME.
- L/LN.
- M.H.
For this series, the hydraulic system was completely redesigned, which provided greater breakout force. In addition, the indices in the name of the equipment indicate the following design changes: “UHD” - standardly equipped with a bucket for severe operating conditions, “SLR” - SUPER LONG REACH, which means an enlarged boom handle and a correspondingly larger range of action, “MH” - lifting mechanism cabins
CATERPILLAR 330C
CATERPILLAR 330C
An interesting variation is the CATERPILLAR 330C model, which came in the following configuration:
- L.
- LME.
- LN.
- LN ME.
- CL LR.
- C.L.
As can be seen from the markings, the machine is launched on the market with an extended crawler and different boom options. The index “C” indicates that the equipment has a reduced turning radius of the working platform. The excavator's counterweight practically does not protrude beyond the boundaries of the caterpillar track, which ensures that work can be performed in confined spaces.
CATERPILLAR 330D
One of the company's latest developments is the launch of the CATERPILLAR 330D excavator series. This is a modification with increased pressure in the hydraulic system, which increases performance and traction.
When performing heavy work, the pressure in the system is pumped up to 36 MPa, while the low crankshaft speed reduces the flow of hydraulic fluid, increasing productivity.
Optionally, the equipment can change the length of the trolley and bucket handle, reduce the turning radius and install a cab lifting mechanism. The excavator is presented on the market in the following configuration:
- ES.
- ES VA.
- LVA.
- L.
- LME.
- LVA.
- LN.
- LN ME.
- LNVA.
- M.H.
Here you can note the marking “ES”, which means a shortened counterweight and the index “VA”, meaning the installation of a boom for heavy work, increasing the stability of the excavator by 6%.
Another variation of the basic model is the CATERPILLAR 330L excavator with increased stability when performing work. The excavator has a standard extended working trolley and an increased radius of action.
Conclusion
Regardless of configuration, crawler excavators are equipped with high-performance diesel engines that fully comply with international environmental safety standards.
In addition, optional design changes help customers select equipment to solve specific problems.
It is noteworthy that all machines are unified, therefore problems with spare parts usually do not arise, and the company's representative offices in all regions of the world guarantee a quick solution to problems that arise.
Source: https://stroyteh.pro/ekskavatory/gusenichny-caterpillar-330.php
Attachments
The Caterpillar 330D crawler excavator has a special mechanism that allows you to quickly replace attachments. This decision of the manufacturers significantly influenced the popularity of the equipment, since in addition to this, the machine has an impressive set of various attachments, which in turn make it possible to achieve all the goals set. But as with many other excavators, a special adapter is required to install additional equipment, and this model is the same. But it is worth noting that most of all equipment is installed on the boom without this adapter. Most often, the Caterpillar 330D excavator uses the following additional equipment in the work process:
- Standard digging bucket. This equipment is installed on the excavator at the production stage and has several types, which differ from each other only in their specific volume, width, and the number of teeth present on the lower edge. The purpose of this bucket is quite broad, namely, in addition to digging trenches and pits, it also copes with loading and unloading various bulk cargoes, cleaning the bottom of reservoirs and rivers, moving some materials over short distances, and, of course, leveling work sites. All models of buckets can be installed without using a special adapter.
- Hydraulic breaker. Without this unit it is simply impossible to dismantle large-scale objects. An excavator equipped with such a hammer is capable of single-handedly destroying concrete and reinforced concrete structures. Also, this type of equipment is perfect for removing the asphalt layer of road sections, which often happens when carrying out repair work. To fully install a hydraulic hammer, you will need a special adapter.
- Hydraulic shears. This type of equipment is intended, just like a hydraulic breaker, for dismantling work. But it is worth noting that such scissors are used only for the destruction of various structures (they can also easily cut through reinforcement) and for dismantling railway tracks (the force of such a unit is quite enough to cut through rails). Another feature is the presence of a rotator that allows you to rotate 360 degrees. This allows for more precise work. Of course, a hydraulic hammer can be equipped with a rotator, but not always and not for all models of excavators. Installation also requires a special adapter.
- Drilling attachments. It is a common tool in work at various fields and quarries. Used for drilling wells and loosening rocks and hardened soils. Can also be used in construction.
Chassis
The undercarriage of the machine is assembled on an X-shaped frame, the tracks have an oval outline, driven by two-speed axial piston hydraulic motors through planetary gearboxes. For work on normal soil, tracks with shoes 600 mm wide are optimal. But you can also order 800 mm ones, which are more suitable in wetlands. Service brakes have multi-disc mechanisms built into the travel drives.
The turntable rotates on a larger roller bearing than the Cat 330D 2. The turning mechanism is driven by a hydraulic motor and a planetary gearbox. Drive power has also been increased, which helps reduce cycle times, especially when dumping over long distances. The Cat 330 excavator, of course, is full-rotary; the fluid to the hydraulic motors for driving the crawler drives passes through a central manifold that does not have a speed limiter.
Owners of Cat excavators usually do not have problems with maintenance and repair; service teams from dealer centers travel even to remote regions of the country. Equipment, as a rule, does not require expensive unscheduled repairs, since proprietary preventive maintenance includes taking samples of oils and other liquids for analysis, after which proactive repairs can be prescribed - much less expensive than when operating “all the way.” Most operators carry out scheduled maintenance every 500 hours on their own.
Technical details can be found at this link.
Photo: Caterpillar
Cat 330 Crawler Excavator: Working hard
Modifications
The Caterpillar 330D crawler excavator is produced in several modified versions, which significantly influenced the expansion of the range of tasks it performs. Namely this:
- Modification of Caterpillar 330DL. The main difference between this model and the base vehicle is the extended chassis. For the Cat 330D, the track length is 4750 millimeters, while for this modification it is 5020 millimeters. Also, the chassis was expanded to 3290 millimeters (in the base model its width is 2990 millimeters). This solution made it possible to achieve greater stability, both when working with large weights and when operating on uneven or loose surfaces. Otherwise, this modification is completely similar to the basic excavator.
- Modification of Caterpillar 330DLN. This modification is a combination of the previous and basic models. Namely, the length of the track base is completely identical to the modified version of the Cat 330DL, when the width has the same value as the base excavator. The engine, transmission and other elements of the car remained unchanged.
There are also other modifications that were described a little earlier. These are Caterpillar 330UND (Ultra High Demolition), Caterpillar 330LR (Long Reach) and Caterpillar 330DC (Ditch cleaner). Some models are equipped with a telescopic boom, which allows you to increase the digging radius to 30 meters.
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.
Specifications
Dimensional data:
- The length of the entire excavator structure is 11210 millimeters.
- The width of the tracked platform is 3540 millimeters.
- The height of the cabin is 3340 millimeters.
- The width of standard track tracks is 600 millimeters.
- Ground clearance – 510 millimeters.
- Track (longitudinal) base – 4040 millimeters.
- Track distance – 2390 millimeters (base model)/2590 millimeters (modified version).
Operational values:
- The structural weight of the machine is 35,300 kilograms.
- Maximum digging depth is 6170 millimeters (basic model)/8090 millimeters (modified version).
- The maximum unloading height is 6410 millimeters (basic model)/9450 millimeters (modified version).
- Maximum digging height - 9740 millimeters (basic model) / 12946 millimeters (modified version).
- Maximum ground reach is 9760 millimeters (base model)/11830 millimeters (modified version).
- The maximum boom reach is 18,100 millimeters.
- The volume of the basic digging bucket is 1100 cubic millimeters.
- The cutting edge width of the basic earthmoving bucket is 1000 millimeters.
- The maximum turning radius of the rear part of the platform is 3500 millimeters.
- The platform rotation speed is 10 revolutions per minute.
- The installed engine is a six-cylinder, in-line, diesel C9 ALERT of our own production.
- Rated output power is 200 kilowatts/272 horsepower.
- The type of fuel injection system into the combustion chambers is electronic, direct.
- Type of turbocharging – compressor.
- Cooling system – intermediate, liquid.
- The maximum speed of movement of the excavator is 5 kilometers per hour.
Hydraulic system:
- The amount of fluid in the entire hydraulic system is 410 liters.
- The number of hydraulic cylinders on the handle is 1.
- The number of hydraulic cylinders on the boom is 1.
- The number of hydraulic cylinders at the base of the boom is 2.
Capacities:
- The volume of the fuel tank is 620 liters.
- The volume of the engine cooling system tank is 40 liters.
- The volume of the hydraulic system tank is 310 liters.
Condition of critical metal structures
Let's move on to consider the metal structures of the CAT 330DL excavator . Its operating weight is 35 tons. The maximum radius of the working area is 11.6 meters. The greatest depth of excavation work is 8 meters. The excavator design is equipped with a reinforced bucket with elongated teeth for difficult working conditions, volume 1.99 m3. The quick-change device for attachments greatly facilitates the transition from one type of work to another. The width of the excavator is 3.3 meters, and the transport length reaches 11.5 meters. Also, a package for starting in cold weather is used here: high-capacity batteries, antifreeze -50 °C. The Caterpillar metalwork is in excellent condition with no signs of bending or cracking. Condition of critical metal structures. 5 points!
Peculiarities
Like the previous model (Cat 320), this one also uses special bearings, due to which the stability of the machine has been increased when working with heavy weights or on uneven surfaces. Such bearings bypass excessive rocking of the excavator, which in turn leads to the machine tipping on its side. But even if the machine loses stability and rolls over, the operator will not receive serious injuries, since the cab frame is reinforced.
The cabin is equipped with air conditioning, a powerful heating system, a radio and a rear-view camera (rear-view mirrors are included in the basic configuration). All this allows you to perform various jobs in comfortable conditions, regardless of the environment and production factors. Vibration-isolating and heat-absorbing materials were used and a comfortable operator's seat with full adjustment was installed, which also affects the comfort of the cabin. The air entering the cabin is filtered and heated to a certain temperature (if necessary).
All cab windows have a fairly large area, resulting in greater visibility from the operator's workplace.
The hydraulic system and attachments of the machine also deserve special attention. The lifting capacity and reliability of the hydraulics are quite high and it is worth noting that all movements of the working parts are performed as smoothly as possible without any jerks. The excavator handle is equipped with special mechanisms that allow quick replacement of working equipment, which saves time.
Dealer points are distributed almost all over the world and therefore the Caterpillar 330D excavator is widespread and in demand in many countries, not only because it is affordable equipment (in terms of the number of machines sold), but also due to the availability of the necessary spare parts (both in terms of money and and in terms of searches).
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.
Engine
Under the hood of the Cat 330D there is an in-line diesel engine of the corporation’s own production, namely the C9 ALERT. It is equipped with a compressor that allows you to develop a rated output power of 200 kilowatts or 272 horsepower. The diameter of the cylinders is 112 millimeters. The total volume of all cylinders is 8800 cubic milliliters. The piston stroke is 149 millimeters. The estimated crankshaft rotation speed is 1800 rpm. The compression ratio in the combustion chambers reaches 16:1. The fuel injection system into the combustion chambers is electronic, direct. The engine contains 32 liters of lubricant. The dry weight of the power plant without additional equipment is 864 kilograms.
Engine dimensions:
- Length – 1090 millimeters.
- Width – 827 millimeters.
- Height – 1023 millimeters.
Reliability of electrical equipment
The Caterpillar 330DL uses standard 24-volt electrical equipment. All systems are operating normally. Data and parameters of the excavator are displayed on the on-board computer screen. A compact, full-color monitor with video connectivity allows you to check machine health and track maintenance intervals. Additionally, the monitor is used to select attachments and set power levels. We rate the reliability of electrical equipment at 5 points.
Price new and used
The Caterpillar 330D crawler excavator currently costs from seven million to ten million Russian rubles. The price is influenced by the year of production, equipment, version (basic or modified) and additional equipment. In addition, various attachments can be installed, which also affect the final cost.
Used equipment can be purchased both in markets and from private sellers, at a cost of two million to six million Russian rubles. The cheapest option is an early model with quite a lot of operating time, while the most expensive is the most recent.
Conclusion
Regardless of configuration, crawler excavators are equipped with high-performance diesel engines that fully comply with international environmental safety standards. In addition, optional design changes help customers select equipment to solve specific problems. It is noteworthy that all machines are unified, therefore problems with spare parts usually do not arise, and the company's representative offices in all regions of the world guarantee a quick solution to problems that arise.