The Cat® D6 XE dozer is not merely an upgraded D6T model, as it features a new
mainframe, a new cab, a new powershift transmission, a new VPAT blade arrangement and a new digital control system.
It has all the ingredients to become a new benchmark of dozer design, like the original D6 model back in 1941.
The push arm configuration has been beefed-up and now has the ability to carry a larger capacity Semi-U blade. However, it is the variable power angle tilt (VPAT) blade models that have changed the most. The new design features a wider range of motions without the need for a rear attachment or counterweight to balance the machine.
This change to the VPAT configuration has been driven by two main factors. The first being that Cat D6-sized dozers are now less likely to be used for mass muck-shifting duties and more often used for finer finishing works. The second factor being that such VPAT machines are increasingly being used with machine guidance or control systems, at higher speeds for the greatest efficiency. The new design of the VPAT blade is designed to maximise this efficiency potential.
The reason for the D6 XE’s staggering fuel economy is that the Cat C9.3B engine is only being used to drive an electric generator, within a narrow power band lower down its rev range. Of course, diesel-electric drivelines are nothing new, with the legendary earthmoving machine designer R G LeTourneau recognising their benefits around the same time as the WW2-era D6 dozer was introduced. In later years, direct current (DC) diesel-electric drivelines were extensively used in large mining dump trucks and wheeled loaders. What has changed over the years is that the modern digital era has provided manufacturers with the opportunity to develop sophisticated control systems to achieve the best performance from alternating current (AC) motors. Such AC components are often referred to as solid state systems, meaning that they do not contain a multitude of moving, failure-prone parts such
A cutaway of the new Cat D6 XE
However, for those looking for the ultimate in performance and fuel economy from a 22-tonne class dozer, it is the diesel-electric XE variant of the D6 that is the star of the show. This represents a milestone in the development of modern energy-efficient construction equipment, as it provides a real-world performance bonus over the standard model. For the first time, choosing the most environmentally-friendly option will result in improved productivity on site.
The reason for the Cat D6 XE’s staggering performance is that an electric motor, unlike an internal combustion engine, produces its maximum torque virtually as soon as it starts spinning. The torque curve remains flat until much higher-up the speed range, when its maximum power kicks-in. In a dozer this results in an unrivalled level of torque-induced pushing ability, with the motor’s power being used to increase the speed of the operation.
as brushes, electro-mechanical relays or vacuum valves. For example, the electric motor and generator in the D6 XE each contain just one moving part: a rotor.
Overall a D6 XE has almost 90% fewer rotating parts than a D6 and with the engine under significantly less stress, this will result in a longer working life for the driveline, with significantly reduced maintenance costs. The new Cat D6 XE Caterpillar’s mid-range dozer offering, ideally suited to high-efficiency work, particularly when paired with a machine guidance or control system. The D6 XE variant represents a major development for the industry, offering environmental and operating cost benefits from the use of modern technology.
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