Caterpillar® Product Information

Performance Report
July 1999

Cat® D8R vs.

Komatsu D155AX-5

Objective To determine the performance advantage of the D8R compared to

the Komatsu D155AX-5.

Date May 3, 1999

Location Caterpillar Proving Ground — Tucson, Arizona

Field Data By Peter Stauffer, Sr. Marketing Rep, Geneva

Kelly Todd, Caterpillar Tucson Proving Grounds Operator
Bill Nordsiek, Sr. Performance/Application Engineer

Written By Bill Nordsiek

For Dealer Sales Personnel

Test Tractor Specifications Test Tractor Specifications
D8R %
D155AX-5 D8R Advantage
Serial Number 70018 7XM433
Hours 157 648
HP (kW) 310 (231) 305 (227) (1.60)
Weight Lbs 89,650 84,750 (5.50)
(kg) (40 665) (38 443)
WT:HP (kW) 289:1 (176:1) 278:1 (169:1)
Shoes in. (mm) 24 (610) ES 22 (559) ES
Track Length 126 (3200) 126 (3200)
in. (mm)
Bottom Rollers/ 6 8
Side
Carrier Rollers/ 2 0
Side
Blade Height 67.25 (1708) 67.75 (1721)
in. (mm)
Width End Bits 156.75 (3981) 154.00 (3912)
in. (mm)

Test Site The test site consisted entirely of hard red clay and was ripped by a
D9R, watered, and graded to provide consistent test conditions.

Slot Dozing Test Description

Each tractor dug five slots and the cycle times were recorded. The
slots were then cross-sectioned to determine the volume of material
moved. Using the cycle times and volume of material moved, hourly
productivity was calculated. Each cycle consisted of an 80 ft (24.4 m)
slot, a 20 ft (6.1 m) transfer segment (tractors were shifted from
1st to 2nd speed forward), and a 60 ft (18.3 m) carry. The difficulty
of building stockpiles with the same dimensions in every test could
cause inconsistent cycle times. Therefore, dump times were
omitted to reduce variables.

The tractors were operated in 2nd gear at the beginning of each

doze segment and downshifted to 1st gear in order to fill the blade
completely and climb out of the slot. The tractors were downshifted
from 2nd to 1st at the operator’s discretion. At the 20 ft (6.1 m)
transfer segment, both tractors were shifted from 1st to 2nd speed
for the carry, dump, reverse, and first portion of the doze.

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Productivity
The following table shows the cycle times, volume of material
moved, hourly productivity, and fuel efficiency of both tractors.
Cycle times are expressed in hundredths of a minute.

Slot Dozing Test

D8R %
D155AX-5 D8R Advantage
Doze Time .56 .47 16.07
Transfer Time .14 .12 14.30
Carry Time .23 .21 8.70
Return Time .35 .34 2.90

Total Time 1.28 1.14 11.00

Cycles/Hour 46.88 52.63 12.30

BCY/Cycle 8.38 8.01 (4.42)

BCM/Cycle 6.41 6.12
LCY/Cycle 10.48 10.01
LCM/Cycle 8.01 7.65

BCY/Hour 392.85 421.57 7.30

BCM/Hour 300.50 322.10
LCY/Hour 491.30 526.83
LCM/Hour 375.51 402.62

SAE LCY Capacity 11.50 11.40 (1.0)

LCM Capacity 8.79 8.72
LCY/Cycle as a % 91.13 87.81
of SAE Capacity

Gallon/Hour 14.88 15.36 (3.2)

Liter/Hour 56.32 58.14

BCY/Gal 26.40 27.45 4.0

BCM/Liter 5.34 5.54
LCY/Gal 33.02 34.30
LCM/Liter 6.67 6.93

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 When compared to the Komatsu D155AX-5, the D8R:
• moved 7.3% more LCY (LCM)/Hour
• was 16.07% faster in the doze segment
• shifted from 1st to 2nd forward 14.30% faster during the transfer
segment
• was 8.70% quicker during the carry and 2.90% faster returning
to doze

Overall, the D8R averaged 12.30% more cycles per hour compared
to the Komatsu D155AX-5. The D155AX-5 moved 4.7% more
LCY (LCM) per cycle than the D8R, but was 12.3% slower.

Trench Backfilling Test Description

The tractors backfilled two trenches each. Average trench length
was 200.83 ft (61.21 m), average depth was 11.10 ft (3.38 m), and
average width was 5.4 ft (1.65 m). Both tractors were operated in
1st forward and 1st reverse because the doze and reverse distance
was only 25 ft (7.62 m).

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Productivity
The following shows the cycle times, volumes, hourly productivity,
and fuel consumption of both tractors. Cycle times are expressed in
hundredths of a minute.

Trench Backfilling Test

D8R %
D155AX-5 D8R Advantage
Doze Time .21 .21
Reverse Time .15 .14 6.70

Total Time .36 .35 2.80

Cycles/Hour 166.67 171.43 2.90

BCY/Cycle 15.89 15.94 0.30

BCM/Cycle 12.15 12.19
LCY/Cycle 19.86 19.93
LCM/Cycle 15.18 15.24

BCY/Hour 2,648.39 2,732.59 3.20

BCM/Hour 2,025.04 2,089.73
LCY/Hour 3,310.07 3,416.60
LCM/Hour 2,530.05 2,612.59

SAE LCY Capacity 11.50 11.40 (0.09)

LCM Capacity 8.79 8.72
LCY/Cycle as a % 173.00 175.00
of SAE Capacity

Gallon/Hour 18.45 18.74 (1.60)

Liter/Hour 69.83 70.93

BCY/Gallon 143.54 145.82 1.60

BCM/Liter 29.00 29.46
LCY/Gallon 179.41 182.32
LCM/Liter 36.23 36.83

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 When compared to the Komatsu D155AX-5, the D8R:
• made 2.9% more cycles/hour
• moved 0.30% more material/cycle

The D8R was therefore 3.2% more productive than the D155AX-5
in the trench backfilling application.

Hill Climb Test Description

A hill climb test was performed to compare the drive train
efficiency of both tractors. The test course was 50 ft (15.24 m) long
with a 30 degree slope. Both tractors were timed as they climbed
the test course. The hill climb test times are expressed in
hundredths of a minute.

Test Results

Hill Climb Test

D8R %
D155AX-5 D8R Advantage
2nd Gear .22 .16 27.30
3rd Gear .36 .21 41.67

When compared to the Komatsu D155AX-5, the D8R was:

• 27.30% faster in 2nd gear
• 41.67% faster in 3rd gear

The D8R has superior drive train efficiency capability due to a

superior torque divider.

Maneuverability Test Description

Both tractors were driven forward in 1st gear at high idle and then
turned as sharply as possible. Both operators tilted the blade to
make a mark on the ground that could be measured.

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Test Results
The blade turning clearance of the D155AX-5 was 26 ft (7.92 m)
and the blade turning clearance of the D8R was 25 ft (7.62 m).
The D8R has a shorter turning clearance measured at the end
of the blade of one foot. Overall, the D8R has 3.8% better
maneuverability than the D155AX-5.

Major features that impact performance, operator comfort, and Features

tractor durability include:
• 3406C Engine — The D8R has a 55% torque rise, which helps
it push loads faster in 1st and 2nd gears.
• Torque Divider — The D8R torque divider transmits 70% of its
hp/kW through the converter and 30% direct, which means more
hp/kW is available at the ground. The D155AX-5 seems to have
a much softer torque converter, which is probably why its cycle
times are much longer.
• Fully Suspended Undercarriage (U/C) — The D8R bottom
rollers and idlers are free to move up and down. This means
every shoe and grouser bar can remain in full contact with the
ground, providing superior traction and stability. The D155AX-5
has a partially suspended U/C because its front idler and rear
sprocket can’t move up and down to form a ramp for climbing
rough ground.

The Caterpillar D8R fully suspended

U/C can conform to rough ground
conditions for improved traction,
stability and operator comfort.

The Komatsu D155AX-5 has limited

bottom roller movement.
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 • Undercarriage Rollers — Both tractors have a track length of
126 in (3206 mm). However, the D8R has eight bottom rollers,
while the D155AX-5 has only six bottom rollers. This means
that the Komatsu may have reduced roller life.
We weighed both tractors at the proving ground and found the
D155AX-5 to be 4,900 lbs (2223 kg) heavier. Both tractors had
SU blades, differential steering, cab and air, and multi-shank
rippers. The Komatsu weighed 89,650 lbs (40 665 kg) and the
D8R 84,750 lbs (38 443 kg). The D155AX-5 has 12 bottom
rollers that support 89,650 lbs (40 665 kg). Each roller must
support 7,471 lbs (3389 kg). The D8R has 16 bottom rollers that
support 84,750 lbs (38 443 kg). Each D8R roller supports 5,297 lbs
(2403 kg). Less weight (29%) compared to the D155AX-5.
This means less wear on the D8R rollers.
The D155AX-5 bottom roller spacing is 3 inches (76 mm) longer
than the D8R and the bogie spacing is 2.5 inches (64 mm) longer.
This wider space between rollers may allow the track shoes to
back bend, which could explain why the D155AX-5 is rough
riding compared to the D8R. The D155AX-5 may also have
reduced traction in rough ground conditions because of the
wider roller spacing.
• Tag Link — The blade tag link design moves the blade 5 in
(127 mm) closer to the front of D8R compared to the D155AX-5.
There is more tractor weight on the blade for greater penetration
force for quicker blade loading in hard ground.

The information contained herein is intended for circulation only to Caterpillar and dealer employees whose duties require knowledge of such reports and is
intended exclusively for their information and training. It may contain unverified analysis and facts observed by various Caterpillar or dealer employees. However,
effort has been made to provide reliable results regarding any information comparing Caterpillar built and competitive machines. Effort has been made to use the
latest available spec sheet and other material in the full understanding that these are subject to change without notice.
Any reproduction of this release without the foregoing explanation is prohibited.

TEXR0319
July 1999
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© 1999 Caterpillar
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