Q&A: What’s new on Caterpillar’s updated articulated dump truck range?

Caterpillar’s next-generation 725 articulated dump truck (Image courtesy of Caterpillar)

You’ve just unveiled this 730 ADT - can you explain what’s new in the latest generation of articulated dump trucks?

This is part of our new line-up, which includes the 725, 730, 730 EJ, and 735. We have both dump body and ejector versions of the 730. Across the range, we’ve focused on three main areas: Enhancing performance, safety and efficiency. Customers can expect double-digit fuel efficiency gains (over 10% in most cases) compared with the previous generation.

How important are those efficiency gains in real terms?

Very important. If a customer is moving one million tonnes of material a year, fuel costs can be reduced by over 10% - in some cases 12% and in the case of the 725, within the right setting it can be up to a 14% improvement - compared with the older trucks. Normally you might see a 4–5% improvement with a new model, so reaching double digits is quite remarkable. Reducing fuel usage means lower operating costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Cat’s 730 EJ articulated dump truck forms part of its updated range of ADTs (Image courtesy of Caterpillar)

What role does the new engine play in that improvement?

All three models - the 725, 730 and 735 - now use either the Cat C13A or Cat C13B engines, with different power ratings depending on the machine. But it’s not just about the engine. Efficiency comes from the integration of the engine, transmission, axles and electronic controls. Because Caterpillar designs all of these in-house, we can optimise how the systems work together.

You mentioned there are two versions of the 730 – the 730 and the 730 EJ. Can you explain the difference?

The standard dump body is very versatile, handling a wide range of materials. The EJ has an ejector body which, instead of raising up like a standard dumper body, pushes material out with a steel plate propelled by an internal telescopic cylinder. That makes it especially useful for spreading dirt loads in road, rail and airport construction, or in areas with low overhead clearance. It keeps the truck stable because the body doesn’t lift, so the centre of gravity remains low.

What are the main safety and operator comfort updates?

Ángel Luis González Suárez, global product and application specialist, Caterpillar

We’ve introduced a system called Dynamic Rollover Protection, which works with Stability Assist. It uses angle sensors and software to detect if the truck is becoming unstable. If necessary, it reduces engine power and applies the brakes to reduce the risk of machine rollover. We’ve also added 360-degree cameras as standard , with optional Cat Detect radar-based proximity detection. Inside the cab, operators benefit from a redesigned interior, push-to-start with operator ID, and Operator Coaching, which is available from the factory or as an SEA and provides onboard guidance videos to the operator to improve their productivity, efficiency and component life.

Features like the wake-up button located on the outside of the machine, which switches on the lights and powers up systems for checks to help operators get into the machine safely or do the maintenance walk-around. It puts all the electronic control modules on standby so everything is ready to go – if the fuel level is low, for example, when the operator switches the machine on it will tell them immediately. We have also repositioned the diesel emissions fluid (DEF) to allow for ground-level filling.

And what about maintenance and ownership costs?

Service intervals for the engine and transmission have doubled. Oil changes that were required every 500 hours can now be extended to 1,000 hours, reducing downtime, and helping lower labour costs and the environmental impact of more frequent intervals. 

What applications are these machines most suited for?

They can be used for multiple different applications and many of our customers use them to quote on several different types of projects. Articulated trucks are very versatile machines. You can see the 730 on a landfill site or transfer station, or in mining and aggregate environments – they are very common on gravel pits because the articulated trucks have a lot of flotation and traction thanks to taking three axles. They can be used in steel and coal mining but in Europe, they are used predominantly for heavy construction: roads, ports, highways, as well as quarries and gravel pits. The 725 is being sold with the Cat C13B engine only.

Where are these machines being manufactured?

These articulated trucks are sourced from Peterlee in the UK. Peterlee is one of the few factories in Caterpillar where you see the whole process of manufacturing a product from the steel cut, to the manufacturing of the frames, the bodies, and the installation of components like the engine and the cab. So you see it from ground up.

Caterpillar’s updated 735 articulated dump truck (Image courtesy of Caterpillar)