At ConExpo, Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems provided a look into the future of its C3.6 engine platform.
The prototype C3.6 engine displayed at the show generates 173 hp. The current C3.6 engine range includes a 74-hp version and a 142-hp version.
The prototype is designed to meet ongoing needs for higher power-density power systems, which boost machine capability without increasing size or complexity.
“Not only is it more power, but it’s designed to run at higher load factors and be worked harder, because we know it’s going into bigger, more productive machines that will work the engine harder,” said Martin Constantine, Program Manager at Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems.
The twin-turbo C3.6 has been designed to deliver higher torque, greater uptime and lower total operating costs for a range of equipment, including wheel excavators, dumper trucks, soil compactors, backhoe loaders, asphalt pavers and telehandlers.
“We think this is going to be a real industrial workhorse,” Constantine said. “There’s a lot of different applications I think that this is going to be really well suited for — to either help customers have a more productive machine or downsize from a 4 or 4.5-litre engine.”
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To harness up to 173 hp and 546 foot-pounds of torque from the proven 3.6-litre, four-cylinder platform, Cat’s engineers upgraded the combustion system to achieve maximum power and efficiency and strengthened numerous components, including a new forged steel crankshaft, bigger fuel injectors, connecting rods and pistons. For the first time, Caterpillar has also included piston cooling galleries.
“We’ve made some really significant upgrades to the core of the engine to be able to cope with the increase in power,” Constantine said.
The high-horsepower variant has been designed for low fluid consumption while delivering the required power across high, medium and low load operations. With a transparent, maintenance free aftertreatment system with no downtime, the engine is set to deliver serious power in a compact footprint.
“The customer requirement for high power density to boost machine capability without increasing engine size or complexity has driven the launch of this new high horsepower C3.6,” said Steve Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems.
“Given that internal combustion engines remain the dominant power solution across global jobsites, we continue to strategically invest in advanced diesel engine technologies that help customers tackle their daily challenges.”
The new C3.6 meets various emissions standards including EU Stage V, Tier 4 Final and Korea Stage V. It offers end users up to 1,000-hour oil and fuel filter intervals and gives customers greater fuel flexibility, as the engine is compatible with B20 biodiesel, 100 per cent hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and other sustainable fuels.
In the engine’s current stage of development, Caterpillar is working to identify lead customers. Next year, the manufacturer will launch a pilot program to test the engine in the field. The new C3.6 is expected to enter production in 2028.
“We’ve been running engines since last year, burning diesel, making sure we can really hit the numbers and deliver on this performance,” Constantine said.
