The Caterpillar D3: An Overview

The Caterpillar D3: At a Glance

IMPROVED VISIBILITY

The sloped hood gives you better visibility to the work in front of the blade as well as the overall job site. Better visibility means less operator fatigue and more confidence in your work.

ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY

Cat small dozers include a host of Operator Assist, Grade, and Cat Command features that work seamlessly to save time, effort, fuel, machine wear, and overall cost.    

Stable Blade Lift and Tilt automatically works behind the scenes to allow operators to create smooth surfaces more efficiently using accelerometers on the blade and chassis with an advanced algorithm to make minor blade raise and lower movements.          

Blade Load Monitor provides real-time feedback of current load vs. target load to fully utilize machine capacity benefiting operators of all skills levels.

Low Slip Traction Control prevents excessive track slip to improve machine efficiency, easing the workload for the operator. Feature offers two modes: Normal Mode helps when pushing heavy blade loads by limiting non-productive track slip, recommended for most applications. And Low Slip Mode limits track slip for applications sensitive to slip such as spreading material on top of a liner, select this mode when needed.

AutoCarry™ raises and lowers the blade to maximize pushing capability and prevent excessive track slip when pushing heavy loads. This is designed to work in unison with other Operator Assist Features.

Scalable 2D and 3D Cat Grade is an optional feature that makes your job up to 39% faster with up to 82% fewer operator inputs and less rework by maintaining blade angles for better surface quality—even with less experienced operators.    

Cat Command remote control is an optional feature that takes you off the machine and away from hazardous conditions, dust, noise or vibration, or operating on unstable surfaces. Eliminates risk of injury from climbing on or off the machine. Integrated with dozer systems, Cat Command enables smooth, precise control with access to all machine functions and advanced features (if equipped) for maximum efficiency and productivity.

IMPROVED FUEL ECONOMY  

The D3 features the lowest fuel consumption in this size class with the same great performance you've come to expect. Up to 20% improvement and no performance sacrifice when ECO mode is active.

COMFORTABLE WORK SPACE

The spacious and comfortable cab features an optional heated and ventilated seat, along with heated joystick controls to make the operator comfortable no matter what the conditions are outside. The seat height and armrests can be easily adjusted to the operator’s preference.

Dimensions (Standard)

Length of Basic Dozer (without blade) 128.7 in

Dozer Height 109 in

Width of Dozer (standard shoes, no blade) 83 in

Blade Capacity (SAE) 2.86 yd³

Track Gauge 63 in

Digging Depth 23.8 in

Blade Lift Height 30.2 in

Ground Clearance 13 in

Overall Length - With Blade 170.7 in

Blade Cutting Edge Angle, Adjustable 52° to 58°

Blade Height 42.2 in

Maximum Tilt 15.8 in

Blade Width 109.5 in

Blade Width at Maximum Angle 103.8 in

Maximum Angle (either side) 25°

Dimensions (LGP)

Width of Dozer (standard shoes, no blade) 92.9 in

Width of Dozer (standard shoes, no blade) 103.5 in

Length of Basic Dozer (without blade) 128.7 in

Dozer Height 109 in

Length of Basic Dozer (without blade) 128.7 in

Dozer Height 109 in

Blade Width 126.7 in

Track Gauge 73 in

Digging Depth 23.2 in

Track Gauge 67.9 in

Blade Capacity (SAE) 3.06 yd³

Blade Width at Maximum Angle 115.8 in

Blade Cutting Edge Angle, Adjustable 52° to 58°

Ground Clearance 13 in

Blade Height 39.8 in

Blade Lift Height 30.2 in

Ground Clearance 13 in

Overall Length - With Blade 169.6 in

Overall Length - With Blade 169.6 in

Maximum Tilt 17.7 in

Maximum Angle (either side) 25°

Note With Ripper Attachment (add to Length of Basic Dozer) - 1177 mm (46.3 in)

Engine

Model Cat® C3.6

Power - Net 104 HP

Displacement 220 in³

Net Power - 2,200 rpm - SAE J1349 104 HP

Net Power - 2,200 rpm - ISO 9249/EEC 80/1269 104 HP

Note (1) Net power is tested per ISO 9249:2007 and SAE J1349:2011 and as advertised is the power available at the flywheel when the engine is equipped with fan, air intake system, exhaust system and alternator.

Note (2) All non-road U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V, Japan 2014 (Tier 4 Final) and Korea Tier 4 Final diesel engines are required to use only Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuels containing 15 ppm EPA/10 ppm EU (mg/kg) sulfur or less.

Power Train Hydrostatic

Weights

Operating Weight 20639.68 lb

Operating Weight - LGP 21369 lb

Operating Weight - LGP, 762 mm/30 in 21810 lb

Note (1) Specifications shown are for machine equipped with dozer blade, EROPS cab, back-up alarm, operator, coolant, lubricants and full fuel tank.

Note (2) For machine with ripper, add 554 kg (1,222 lb).

Cab

ROPS ISO 3471:2008

FOPS ISO 3449:2005 Level II

Transmission

Drive Pumps 1

Maximum Travel Speed - Forward 5.6 mile/h

Maximum Travel Speed - Reverse 6.2 mile/h

Track Motors 2

Relief Valve Settings 7033 psi

Undercarriage

Shoe Width - Standard 20 in

Ground Pressure - Standard 5.7 psi

Ground Pressure - LGP 4.5 psi

Track Gauge - LGP 69 in

Length of Track on Ground - Standard 91 in

Length - Track on Ground - LGP 91 in

Number of Shoes - Each Side - Sealed and Lubricated Track (SALT) Undercarriage 40

Number of Shoes - Each Side - Abrasion Undercarriage 36

Ground Pressure - LGP, 762 mm (30 in) 3.9 psi

Length - Track on Ground - LGP, 762 mm (30 in) 91 in

Shoe Width - LGP 26 in

Shoe Width - LGP, 762 mm (30 in) 30 in

Track Gauge - Standard 63 in

Number of Rollers - Each Side 7

Track Gauge - LGP, 762 mm (30 in) 73 in

Hydraulic Controls

Pump Output 17.2 gal/min

Relief Valve Settings 2988 psi

Ripper

Type Parallelogram

Number of Shanks 3

Height 6.5 in

Weight 1222 lb

Maximum Digging Depth 13.3 in

Maximum Reach - Ground Line 30.2 in

Overall Width 67.3 in

Maximum Ground Clearance Under Tip 17.6 in

Air Conditioning System

The air conditioning system on this machine contains the fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant R134a (Global Warming Potential = 1430). The system contains 1.8 kg of refrigerant which has a CO2 equivalent of 2.574 metric tonnes.

Retrieval Winch

Maximum Line Pull - Bare Drum 32150 lb

Control Hydraulic

Rope Diameter - Optional 0.75 in

Drum Capacity - Optional Cable 195 ft

Maximum Line Speed - Full Drum 79 ft/min

Drum Capacity - Recommended Cable 277 ft

Winch Drive Hydraulic

Weight 1747 lb

Maximum Line Pull - Full Drum 20350 lb

Rope Diameter - Recommended 0.63 in

Maximum Line Speed - Bare Drum 50 ft/min

Speed Variable

Winch Length 35.63 in

Drum Diameter 8 in

Overall width 27.91 in

Drum Width 9.65 in

Throat Clearance 5.6 in

High Performance Winch

Winch length 27.76 in

Rope diameter – optional 0.75 in

Maximum line speed – bare drum 131 ft/min

Maximum line pull – bare drum 40000 lb

Weight 1345 lb

Drum capacity – optional 256 ft

Maximum line speed – full drum 207 ft/min

Rope diameter – recommended 0.63 in

Winch drive Hydrostatic

Throat clearance 6.75 in

Drum diameter 10 in

Overall width 29.2 in

Drum width 10.8 in

Maximum line pull – full drum 25000 lb

Speed Variable

Drum capacity – recommended cable 371 ft

Control Hydraulic

Pricing

The Caterpillar D3 is available for purchase for $265,000. It can also be rented for a day for $850, for a half-day for $425, or for a week for $1,950. The operating weight of the Caterpillar D3 is 20639.68 pounds.

Maintenance and Fuel Costs

The estimated monthly maintenance costs for the Caterpillar D3 are $500. The estimated fuel cost per month is $1,000, and the estimated hourly fuel cost is $50.

Similar Models

If you are looking for a similar model to the Caterpillar D3, there are several other models to consider. The Caterpillar D6 is a larger and more powerful bulldozer that is designed for heavy-duty applications. The Caterpillar D4 is a smaller and lighter bulldozer that is designed for lighter-duty applications. The Caterpillar D7 is a medium-sized bulldozer that is designed for a variety of applications. You can look at these machines the Caterpillar D3B and Caterpillar D3C.

Conclusion

The Caterpillar D3 is a powerful and reliable bulldozer that is designed for a wide range of applications. It's available for purchase for $265,000, and it can be rented for a day, a half-day, or a week. The estimated monthly maintenance costs are $500, and the estimated fuel cost per month is $1,000. If you are looking for a similar model to the Caterpillar D3, there are several other models to consider, including the Caterpillar D6, the Caterpillar D4, and the Caterpillar D7.