Caterpillar (Cat) has introduced a new high-performance circle (HPC) design for its Cat 140 JOY, 150 JOY, and 160 JOY motor graders. The innovative design aims to reduce maintenance time by eliminating hours spent on frequent inspections, wear strip replacements, and circle shoe adjustments that were common with previous models.
The HPC improves the overall performance, efficiency, and uptime of Cat motor graders, particularly in earthmoving and road-building applications, offering substantial benefits over the previous grader models.
Eric Kohout, product application specialist for Cat motor graders, explained, “Our new HPC provides more hours of service life, significantly reducing the need for planned maintenance.” Kohout emphasized that Cat’s advanced machining capabilities, which maintain tight tolerances, ensure precise alignment of the drawbar, drives, and circle. This eliminates the need for adjustments throughout the grader’s entire lifespan.
The HPC design is based on technology from Cat’s excavator swing drive and the motor grader worm drive. It features a fully sealed bearing system, replacing the older open circle and drawbar. This new design reduces the need for operator interaction, extends service intervals, and increases machine uptime. It also ensures smoother blade rotation, helping graders maintain job site and road design elevation tolerance.
The HPC maintains the same connection interface as the standard drawbar/circle/moldboard assembly. A larger pinion gear and shaft diameter enhance durability and allow the drive to be removed vertically without requiring adjustments. Dowel locators ensure precise motor positioning, facilitating simpler servicing and ensuring optimal tooth contact for extended pinion life. The new design improves the overall reliability of components, further reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Additionally, the HPC design extends the wear life between the circle and drawbar, minimizing the risk of excessive clearance between the two surfaces. The system also includes a centrally located grease bank for quick servicing, and an easily accessible ring gear for faster inspections and maintenance.
By reducing maintenance needs, the new HPC lowers the total cost of ownership. The reduced handling of components also enhances safety for service technicians. Furthermore, when the circle teeth reach their wear limit, they can be rotated 180 degrees to effectively double the component’s service life.
