Cat® Product Information

Performance Report
May 2019

Cat® D11 vs. D11T

Production Study

Objectives: Evaluate the productivity and the fuel efficiency of the D11T vs. the new D11.

Study Dates: February 11-12 and March 5-6, 2019

Location: Eastern USA Coal Mine

Observers: Steve Groth, Caterpillar Inc.

Matt Bengry, Caterpillar Inc.
Chad Kassube, Caterpillar Inc.
Yon Chong, Caterpillar Inc.
Ted Kingham, Caterpillar Inc.
Dave Atkinson, Caterpillar Inc.
Nishant Bhatt, Caterpillar Inc.

Prepared By: Chad Kassube and Steve Groth

Abstract
The new D11 demonstrated 5%-9% improvement in productivity and 7%-10% in fuel efficiency over the D11T. These
improvements aligned with predictions based on the machine performance analysis and provided confidence in the
production study results. The improvements on the new D11 result from optimized hydraulics for better system efficiency,
extended pitch tilt cylinder option for greater load capacity and productivity, the new stator clutch torque divider for
improved drivetrain efficiency, high-horsepower reverse for faster return speed on grade, and improved retarding for
faster cycle times. The results show that across a wide range of applications, the new D11 is more efficient and productive
than the D11T.

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 Summary
The production study was performed at an Eastern Coal Mine over a 4-day period. The machines were operated in manual
mode, with no advanced blade controls used to the further productivity or efficiency improvements on the new D11. To
minimize the variability due to site-specific conditions, the tractors also alternated pits, and the operators switched
tractors when alternating between pits.

• Day 1: The new D11 was 5% more productive and 7%

more fuel efficient, while burning 2% less fuel on a
flat/shallow downhill push.
• Day 2: The tractors were pushing down a ~30% slope.
Due to the pit condition at the site, only 1 slot was able
to be recorded for each tractor. As variation in
site/material and operator performance could not be
eliminated, the Day 2 results are included for reference
only. However, the benefits of the high-horsepower
reverse on the new D11 resulted in 14% faster reverse
travel speeds, 8% more cycles/hr. and 6% greater hourly
production.
• Day 3: The tractors loaded in a flat section and carried
the material up an 18% grade on the spoil side. The new D11 was 9% more productive and 10% more fuel efficient.
• Day 4: The tractors again loaded on a flat section and carried the material up a 19% grade on the spoil side. The new
D11 was 9% more productive and 9% more fuel efficient than the D11T.
• The new D11 was equipped with extended-pitch tilt cylinders, which enabled better load transfer to the machine,
resulted in an average increase in 2% BCM/cycle.

Figure 1: Summary of Results for Days 1, 3, and 4

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 Study Procedure
To preserve the integrity of the survey results, slot dozing was the chosen operating technique. The pits were alternated
between machines to reduce variability in the results caused by material differences across the width of the pit. The
operators switched machines in between pits and both used front-to-back dozing and manual shifting operating
techniques. The material was primarily shot rock with an estimated density of 2800 lb/yd3 (1660 kg/m3).

• Day 1: The test area was approximately 320 ft (98 m) wide and 275 ft (84 m) long at the start. Each slot was staked
out to be approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) wide, with 15 ft (4.6 m) between slots, enabling each tractor to push 4 total slots
with as little mixing of the fill volume as possible. The slope on the first day was an average of 8% downhill.
• Day 2: The space limited the testing to only 1 slot for each tractor. The slope was on average 30% downhill and the
length of the slot was approximately 250 ft (76 m). The material on Day 2 had not been blasted and required more
material be pulled from the top rather than front-to-back dozing, however each tractor used the same technique.
• Day 3: The test area was approximately 250 ft (76 m) wide and 365 ft (111 m) long at the start, with the first 2/3 flat.
The machines were able to load the blades on the flat using front-to-back dozing, then push uphill on an average of
18% slope. Each tractor pushed 3 slots, then the area was surveyed, and the berms were removed overnight.
• Day 4: The test area was approximately 180 ft (55 m) wide and 450 ft (137 m) long at the start, with the first 6/10 flat.
The machines were able to push uphill on an average of 19% slope. Each tractor pushed 2 slots before surveying.

The test area was surveyed at the beginning and end of each day, providing a clear definition of both the cut and fill areas.
The material was measured before and after each set of slots were pushed, prior to berm removal. Because there was
some mixing of the fill volumes, the cut volume was used for all production calculations, which are therefore reported as
bank volume.

Image 1: Day 1 Pre-study production area

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 Figure 2: Day 1 and Day 2 Pit Layouts (for reference)

Time Measurement
Study time was recorded in 2 segments, Dozing and Return. The time spent performing unproductive tasks, such as ripping
and prying out large obstructions impeding the normal cycle, was removed from the total production time. The data was
recorded with both digital stopwatches, as well as via a GPS-based cycle tracking system. The two methods were then
compared to validate the accuracy of the data and to enable more granular analysis of the test results.

Volume Measurement
Test areas were drone surveyed before and after each series of tests. Pit volumes and centroidal push distances were
calculated for each pit in the test. The survey, centroid and volume calculations were done be an independent third party.
The cut volumes were used for all production calculations, and the unproductive working time was excluded for direct
comparisons of hourly production rates between tractors.

Image 2: Day 1 cut and fill areas, as reported from survey results

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 Distance/Centroid Measurements
To account for the distance material is moved in a
dozing study, a centroidal push distance is
established for each pit. Centroidal push distance
is defined as the distance the center of mass of
the material is moved and is determined from the
survey results. The centroidal push distance is the
difference of the center of mass point of the cut
area, and the center of mass point of the fill area.
The weighted average of the centroidal push
distance for each slot is then used to calculate a
single value for each tractor. Because the push
distances vary, one tractor always moves the
material further than the other, which affects
productivity. To correct for this difference in
terms of hourly production, the average of the 2
machines’ push distances is then used to create a
“Adjusted Push Distance” for both tractors. The corrected production is then calculated by scaling the measured
production by the ratio of each machine’s actual push distance to the Adjusted Push Distance.

Figure 3: Sample actual centroidal push distance measurements for first 2 slots on Day 1

Fuel Measurement
Fuel measurement was simplified for the purposes of this testing because both machines are running the same fuel
system. The onboard computers on each tractor calculates a total fuel burn in real time as fuel is delivered to the engine.
The fuel burn totals were recorded at the start and stop of each pit. The fuel burn rate was then calculated for the total
testing time, excluding any idle time/delays for communicating with operators that was recorded during the study period.
The time spent performing work, such as prying out large rocks, was included in the testing time for the calculation of fuel
burn rate, but excluded from the production rate calculations, as stated above.

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 Machine Health
Before the production study, the health of each tractor
was checked to ensure it was operating within normal
performance parameters. The D11T was updated to
new 32-inch wide tracks at the time of the testing to
match the D11 (TKN). The cutting edges and end bits
were replaced on each tractor’s blade prior to
beginning the study. The implement pressure was just
under spec on the D11T for Days 1 and 2, but that was
resolved for Days 3 and 4. Fan speeds were within spec.
The filters were checked before testing and were not
replaced.

• Performance checks: Implement pressures and

cycle times, fan speeds and converter stall speeds.

Ripping, Prying Rocks, Idling

The material was very well shot on Day 1, and the
dozers spent minimal time working outside of normal
load-carry-dump-return cycles. On subsequent days,
the material was not as well shot for a dozer push, and
a greater amount of time was spent in “non-
productive” working operations, like ripping and prying
out large rocks. The fuel burn during these operations
was included in the working fuel burn rate calculations.
The time was removed when calculating hourly
production based on the survey results. This became
more important on Days 2, 3 and 4, when much more
time was spent prying out large rocks due to the shot
being done for a load-haul operation, rather than a
dozer-push operation.

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 Machine Summaries
New D11 D11T
Net Forward Power* 657 kW (881 HP) 668 kW (895 HP)
Net Reverse Power* 744 kW (998 HP) 668 kW (895 HP)
Tractor Weight (est) 105910 kg (233009 lb) 106437 kg (234167 lb)
Blade Type U Blade with Rock Guard U Blade with Rock Guard

Blade Capacity 34.4 m3 (45 yd3) 34.4 m3 (45 yd3)

Blade GET New 45 mm (1.77 in) Cutting Edges New 45 mm (1.77 in) Cutting Edges
Ripper Single Shank with Pushblock Single Shank

Track Shoe Width 813 mm (32 in) 813 mm (32 in)

Grouser Height 89 mm (3.5 in) 102 mm (4 in)

Filters Inspected/Clean Cat Filters Inspected/Clean Cat Filters

Serial Number TKN00185 JEL00429
Hours (Start) 2236 9272
*All Net Power is documented for Min Fan conditions.

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 Conclusions
• Test procedures enabled the 2 dozers to be
compared fairly by minimizing the effects of
operators’ skill levels and techniques, material,
push distances, survey results, and machine health.
• The new D11 was more productive than the D11T
in each test performed. The productivity
advantages on the new D11 ranged from 5%-9%
over the D11T.
• The new D11 was 7%-10% more fuel efficient than
the D11T.
• The new D11’s high-horsepower reverse improved
productivity by reducing total cycle times up to 8%,
increasing the dozing time in the overall operating
time.
• The extended-pitch option on the new D11,
combined with drivetrain improvements, enabled
an average of 2% improvement in blade load per
cycle (BCY/cycle).
• Both operators were most impressed with the
improvements in the hydraulic system over the
D11T, which enabled better machine control and
easier loading of the blade.
• The stator-clutch torque divider provides efficiency
improvement with seamless transitions between
locked and unlocked stator clutch states during
operation. Maximum efficiency is always available,
requiring no operator intervention.
• With the new D11, the customer can expect
improvements in productivity and fuel efficiency in
all operating conditions.

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 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.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well
as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

May 2019

© 2019 Caterpillar
All Rights Reserved

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