Large Dozer Operating For Slope Application v3

Large Dozer Operating for Slope Applications
“Rules of Thumb”
• Good: “Pick the best gear for the grade”
• Good: Higher engine speed when retarding
• Bad: Using the brakes to maintain speed when the engine speed is below high idle
• Good: Cross steering to control the direction of travel
• Bad: Coasting in Neutral or by releasing the steering clutches on slopes
• Good: Brakes are recommended for directional shifts and downshifts on grades >15%
Scope:
This document is intended to provide best practices for unloaded operation of a dozer oriented parallel
to the primary slope (fore/aft). When maneuvering a dozer down steep slopes without a blade or ripper
load, the engine no longer drives the tracks, but gravity pulls the machine down the slope. When
operated correctly, this operation drives up the dozer engine speed. The dozer engine and powertrain
are designed to provide the necessary retarding to control the machine travel speed down a slope.
To maintain controlled maneuverability and to protect the machine components, proper operating
technique requires the operator consider many factors, including gear selection, decelerator and brake
usage, and steering technique. The operator must also consider the site-specific surface conditions
and of the area surrounding the slope. This document excludes slope operation when the slope is
perpendicular to machine travel (side slopes).
EQUIPMENT TRAINING SOLUTIONS

Good: “Pick the best gear for the grade”
• Selecting the correct gear for the slope minimizes brake usage to control travel speeds
» The lower the gear, the more retarding (slower speeds) capability when on steep slopes.
» Most tractors are designed to safely retard in 2R on grades up to 20-30% without requiring the
brakes to maintain speed.
Good: Higher engine speeds when retarding

• For a given gear, higher engine speed provides more powertrain retarding, known as “engine braking”
» As conditions allow, tractors are designed to safely operate with engine speed up to the yellow
range (caution region) on the tachometer without the use of brakes.
» If conditions require a slower speed that cannot be achieved with the decelerator pedal,
downshifting is recommended, rather than using the brakes.
» High engine speed benefits the powertrain by providing additional lubrication flow to critical
powertrain components and brakes
Bad: Using the brakes to control speed when the engine speed is at or below high idle speed
• In most conditions, brakes are not required to maintain retarding speed when in the correct gear
» Generally, use the decelerator pedal to reduce speed only on level or shallow grades. Using the
decelerator is only successful at slowing the engine speed on shallow grades when the engine is
still driving the tracks.
Good: Cross steering to control the direction of travel (See illustration below)
• Cross steering, modulating the steering clutch levers on the fingertip controls (FTC) to change
direction while in gear, is the most efficient way to control the direction of travel
» Cross steering minimizes brake wear and damage and reduces excess heat into the powertrain.
• When the cross-steering commands are insufficient, pivot steering (briefly applying the brakes to one
track) is recommended over long periods of gradual brake commands
Bad: Coasting with transmission in Neutral or by releasing the steering clutches on slopes
• In both cases, the steering commands and speed control are accomplished using the brakes, which
reduces brake life and can possibly result in immediate brake damage
• Releasing both steering clutches is the same as coasting in Neutral, which is never recommended

Good: Brakes are recommended for directional shifts and downshifts on grades >15%
• Downshifting and directional shifts on steep grade should be avoided if possible. If necessary, the
following best practices are recommended:
» Applying the brakes briefly during shifts on grades prevents overspeed events and drivetrain
damage
» When possible, performing the directional shift on a shallow grade without brakes is best.
• If in the wrong gear and an overspeed is imminent, the brakes should be quickly applied, and a
downshift requested once the speed has decreased to the range for the lower gear.
Illustration: Right turn when retarding. Cross steering is done pulling the left-hand steering clutch lever
(1) on the FTC, speeding up the left track, resulting in a right turn
Conclusion:
Mine planning, pit layouts, peak periods of demand and specific applications are all reasons that
may require tractors to operate on steep slopes. CAT Large Dozers are typically designed to briefly
operate upwards of around 100% slopes, but most operations would not require extended operation on
“extreme slopes” (grades > 47%). In applications such as coal stockpiles, narrow pits or mountainous
terrains, for example, operators can see short periods on slopes of 70% or higher. As conditions vary,
operators must also be aware of external factors when deciding how best to navigate steep slopes.
But by exercising the techniques described in this document, operators can safely control and
maneuver the tractor when retarding on steep slopes, while also maximizing production without
damaging the tractor.

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Large Dozer Operating for Slope Applications

EQUIPMENT TRAINING SOLUTIONS

Good: Higher engine speeds when retarding

EQUIPMENT TRAINING SOLUTIONS

EQUIPMENT TRAINING SOLUTIONS

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