To create the new C9.3B industrial engine, Caterpillar used a customer approach to development, allowing the company to address the diverse requirements of the global off-highway emissions landscape.
The 6 cylinder, 9.3 litre engine combines a new high-pressure, common rail fuel system and simplified air, electrical and aftertreatment systems to produce up to 456 hp and 2,088 Nm of torque out of a package that is nearly 140 kg lighter than its predecessor.
“It’s really the result of hundreds of team members in Peoria focused on developing the next generation of engines,” said Christopher Massey, commercial manager for Cat’s industrial engine group. “The engine is really our next generation engine that’s designed to meet these growing demands of our customers.”
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When designing the engine, Caterpillar’s customers requested four key elements be included in the new model. The first request was for a simpler, lighter engine system.
“It makes it easier for them to integrate them into their products, and it makes it easier for their customers to use the product,” Massey said.
The second request was for increased power. The C9.3B delivers about 18 per cent more power than its predecessor.
“Their machines are constantly growing and trying to be more productive and more efficient,” Massey said.
Cat’s customers also requested the engine is designed to include modular technology.
“The more common and modular they are, helps reduce the amount of R&D our customers need,” Massey said.
The significant system upgrades build on the core engine, which has been in production since 2011 with more than 46,000 engines, logging more than 150 million hours in real world off-highway applications.
“All of these enhancements have to come at no sacrifice to engine life reliability or durability,” Massey said. “Our customers expect constant improvements on that, which we invest in and work very heavily to deliver.”
With a reliable core engine and diesel particulate filter solution already in place, Caterpillar’s focus for EU Stage V construction customers has been on simplifying design and improving performance.
“One of the key influences for our customers is the global emissions regulations,” Massey said.
“As we looked forward into 2020 and beyond, we realized the diversification of regulations around the world, which really drives complexity into our customers business as well as our products.”
Along with taking 39 per cent of the aftertreatment packaging size out of the previous design, customers can opt for engine-mounted aftertreatment and full industrial power units straight from the factory.
For the more challenging installations, a remote-mounted aftertreatment is available that only requires wiring, coolant and diesel exhaust fluid effects added to the system.
With full engine production planned in the first quarter of 2018, Caterpillar says it is prepared to meet the needs of Stage V customers.
“We’re investing heavily into our Caterpillar industrial engine product line,” said David Nicoll, Caterpillar’s global marketing director.
