Cat's 775 Hauler Will Offer Autonomous Control Via Retrofit
Caterpillar's 775 off-highway hauler is getting a big-time makeover both in the iron and with its technology.
"It's a major, quantum leap in product development; we've made a lot of changes on this machine," said Angel Gonzalez, global product specialist for Caterpillar off-highway trucks.
The Next Generation 775, previewed at Bauma in Munich will eventually replace the 775G as Cat continues its march to a letterless nomenclature. However, the major news is that this hauler, and others in the generation to come, will be ready to be retrofitted for autonomous operation.
"We've done more development on the electronic architecture so the truck is ready for the future," Gonzalez said. "We are testing a prototype autonomy kit with Luck Stone [Mining] and it will be available for the 775."
Gonzalez stressed that the retrofitting is still a work under development.
"The most important thing right now is that the truck is ready," he said. "All the sensors that you need for speed, position of the body, those are there from the factory. It will be a very easy installation for a retrofit kit for autonomy.
"Once those kits are ready, and when the customers' job sites, applications, and economics make sense to move into autonomy, the machines will be ready for that," Gonzalez said.
The 775 also features a new lower structure that blends cast iron central points with a more flexible tubular frame. "The frame is more robust, and it absorbs and stretches out the stress in a different way so it's distributed more evenly," Gonzalez said.
The new frame has made the truck lighter, Gonzalez said, which has led to other improvements.
"It is now lighter. We have alleviated three metric tons of weight from the chassis and we have integrated that into the payload, so there's more payload now available," Gonzalez said. "The new design also allowed us to put in a redesigned double-arm front suspension."
Learn more about Cat's autonomous collaboration with Luck Stone
The suspension results in a tighter turning radius. "For machines working in underground quarries or with switchbacks, the maneuverability is way better," Gonzalez said. "The suspension now improves the quality and comfort of the ride. It's a very big difference from the G Series. It's the same feeling as operating a pickup truck."
There is also a new cab and a redesigned dump body.
"We have taken the know-how from our mining machines into the 775," Gonzalez said. "There are rounded angles, no corners, and it is 10% larger than the 775G."
The engine, powertrain, and axles will remain the same.
