Caterpillar recently introduced two new smaller rigid haul trucks and updated three of its larger models. The smaller models, the 40-ton 770 and the 50-ton 772, come with a cab that is center-mounted — similar to those on articulated haul trucks. Production for these trucks will begin in the first quarter of 2007.

Cat officials say moving the cab to the center was the result of customer feedback, but they aren't saying if all new or updated trucks will have a center-mounted cab. Part of the reason for moving the cab was to make it appealing to both quarry and construction buyers. The new cabs are 14 inches wider and have 52% more glass than predecessor models. For the larger trucks — the 773, 775 and 777 — Cat left the cab on the left side, but moved the seat to the cab's center. Those cabs were widened by more than 7 inches and given 100% more glass.

The 772 has a Cat C-18 engine that generates 535 net horsepower and meets Tier-3 and EU Stage-IIIa standards. The C-18 has ACERT technology and a combined electronic and direct, mechanically controlled fuel injection system. The engine's service interval is 500 hours, which Cat says is due to efficient combustion technology. All of the company's quarry trucks come standard with QuickEvac, an onboard engine oil evacuation and pre-lube system. Also standard on all quarry trucks is the automated retarder control that controls braking on grade and maintains engine speed. Cat says this protects the engine from over speeding, improves fuel efficiency and improves the driver's control of the truck. There is a compression brake option that increases retarding speed capabilities 35%. The truck has a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The 772 weighs 181,000 pounds and a top travel speed of nearly 50 mph. It has a body capacity of 41 cubic yards and a loading height of 11 feet 8 inches. The braking system is hydraulic, as is the cooling system fan. The truck has both flat and convex mirrors, optional rear-vision cameras and a three-point seat harness.

Caterpillar also upgraded its 60-ton 773, 70-ton 775 and 100-ton 777 to an F series. Those trucks went into production this summer. Each of the models were given an engine with ACERT technology — the C-27 for the 773 and 775, and the C-32 for the 777. The 12-cylinder, 27-liter C-27 can reach a top speed of 42 mph. The engine generates 703 net horsepower in the 773, and 740 net horsepower in the 775. The 12-cylinder, 32-liter C-32 generates 938 net horsepower and can hit a top speed of 40 mph. The 773 and 775 F-series have slightly more horsepower than the E-series. The 777F had no change in horsepower. The new engines use 1% to 4% less fuel in some applications than the E-series, Cat says.

Like the 772, the F-series trucks have automated retarder control, hydraulic brakes, 500-hour service intervals, QuickEvac and an optional rear-vision camera. Other F-series options include high-intensity dispersion lights and payload monitoring systems.

The F-series trucks have five different application-specific body systems. The 773 and 775 can be ordered with either dual-slope or flat-floor bodies with three steel- or two rubber-liner packages. The 777 has one steel- and one rubber-liner package. The 772 has three steel-liner options ranging from 8 to 20 millimeters. There also is an optional 100-millimeter rubber liner. Cat says the rubber liners increase impact resistance by four times and doubles the wear life of the steel liners. The rubber liners are modular and individual sections can be replaced — rather than the entire liner.

SPEC SHEET

	772	773	775	777
Payload (tons)	51.4	60	70	100
Body Capacity (cu. yd.)	41	46.5	55.6	78.8
Gross Weight (lbs.)	181,000	222,000	242,000	360,000
Net Engine Horsepower	535	703	740	938
Top Loaded Speed (mph)	49.5	41.9	41.9	40.1