Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/946503
EquipmentWorld.com | February 2018 59 C aterpillar launched a new engine in December that will serve as a blueprint for many of the company's engines to come. The C9.3B is a simpler, light- er engine system with 18 per- cent more power compared to previous engines, says Chris- topher Massey, commercial manager, Cat industrial engine group. Ratings on this 6-cyl- inder, 9.3-liter platform run from 335 to 456 horsepower at speeds of 1,800 to 2,200 rpm. Max torque at 1,400 rpms measures 1,540 foot-pounds. "In many cases this allows our customers to use a 9-liter engine in a space where they traditionally used a 13-liter engine," said Massey. Part of the weight savings comes from a new exhaust aftertreatment system, which is 39 percent smaller and 55 percent lighter, says Massey. It combines the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) into a single can configured as a module so OEMs can position it in differ- ent locations about the engine for installation flexibility. An inlet throttle valve is the en- gine's primary technology for man- aging heat and in-cylinder dosing for DPF regeneration. A high-effi- ciency, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system enabled Caterpillar to eliminate exhaust gas recircula- tion (EGR) in the engine. No EGR means less plumbing on the side of the engine, fewer parts and reduced service requirements. This will en- able some customers to optimize and reduce the size of their cooling packages, Massey said. "The second key area is a new high-pressure common rail fuel system, which is optimized for the performance requirements of our customers," says Massey. In most applications, the new fuel system will eliminate the need for fuel coolers, further simplifying the de- sign, he says. A single engine control module (ECM) controls the engine, fuel and aftertreatment, rather than multiple control units. The new ECM also has about 13 times more process- ing power than previous systems and a two-wire Ethernet that allows customers more advanced data analytics. Caterpillar is offering the C9.3B in two packages, says Massey. One is just the engine and after- treatment for customers who do their own integration. The second, more comprehensive package includes engine, af- tertreatment, cooling package, air cleaner control module and a range of other attach- ment options for customers with lower volumes and less design capability. The C9.3B is being built in Caterpillar's new engine plant in Seguin, Texas, just outside of San Antonio. Cat started taking orders for the new engine in September, and the first engines will ship starting this March. Caterpillar is also working on a redesigned C13B engine that will have many of the same features as the C9.3B. The 13-liter engine is in the R&D and validation stage, says Dave Nicoll, global marketing director, with a production timeline of 2019 or 2020. The company is also working on new designs for its 3-liter offerings including the C2.8 and C3.6. product report | by Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com New Caterpillar C9.3B engine sets stage for the future Cat C9.3 packs more power into a smaller and lighter envelope than previous engines. The design of Cat's "clean emissions module" puts the DPF and DOC into a single canister for flexible installation configurations.