An Introduction To The Caterpillar Transmission
Thousands of companies in a variety of industries rely upon the Caterpillar transmission to work seamlessly with their heavy-duty equipment. These transmissions toil relentlessly, communicating with every component in the powertrain to provide the muscle and flexibility needed to power the equipment. That being said, businesses that work in the trenches of those industries arent the only ones who rely on Caterpillar. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) also depend upon the durability of these transmissions in the products they sell to others. In this article, youll learn about their applications, a few of the options and models available, and the benefits offered by these transmissions. Uses And Applications There are a wide range of uses and applications for a Caterpillar transmission. Theyre used in heavy-duty machines and equipment that are deployed in industries such as forestry, agriculture, mining, and any area in which hauling is required. The transmissions are designed to cater specifically to the needs of OEMs and other businesses in those industries. For example, hauling functions that are performed by on/off highway trucks require several forward gears and a dependable retarder to provide friction for braking. Therefore, hauling transmissions are created with several forward gears, only one reverse gear, and a powerful retarder. On the other hand, a wheel loader often spends nearly as much time in reverse as it does in forward gears, repeatedly switching between the two. Caterpillar offers transmissions that provide an equal number of forward and reverse gears in order to complement the constant changing of direction. Caterpillar Transmission Options Over the years, Caterpillar has gone to great lengths to provide not only transmissions, but to offer solutions to the transmission needs of their customers. Theyve designed a number of components that can be integrated within the transmission systems to offer additional flexibility. This can include shifting options that are incorporated into fully automatic transmissions. This allows the operator to maintain a higher level of manual control. It can also include torque converters that have been refined to provide enhanced efficiency and better fuel economy. These optional components exist to provide flexibility and versatility across a wide array of applications. Models Available Caterpillar currently offers a number of transmission models, including the CX28, CX31, and the CX35. Each model is designed to address specific industrial needs. For example, the CX28 is a "medium duty" transmission that can be used in emergency vehicles, motor homes, and on-highway vehicles such as trucks and buses. The CX31 is a heavier duty model. This Caterpillar transmission is designed for high-powered performance and durability. The CX35 was created to power industrial equipment for the most severe and demanding applications. Benefit Of Using A Caterpillar Transmission Whether youre using new or rebuilt Caterpillar transmissions, they offer a valuable blend of intense horsepower, fuel efficiency and durability. Caterpillar is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty equipment. They have developed a reputation for both reliability and innovation. Their engineers strive to design increasingly useful optional components while continuing to improve their flagship line of transmissions. They use high-quality materials in their construction to ensure excellent performance in extreme circumstances. You can purchase rebuilt Caterpillar transmissions that have been remanufactured using a rigorous procedure of failure testing and quality control protocols. When you work with a Caterpillar, either new or rebuilt, youll enjoy state-of-the-art design, innovative engineering and staggering performance. About the Author: Christine OKelly provides useful articles for Dealers Transmission Exchange (DTE), a Caterpillar transmission specialist with over 30 years of experience. Their areas of expertise include remanufactured and rebuilt Caterpillar transmissions and torque converters.
