The story of the Caterpillar 994 dates back to early 1969. Caterpillar tested the first experimental 994 Loader with a diesel-electric powertrain and a 20 cubic meter bucket around 1970. The project was canceled in 1970 due to some errors. A second attempt for the Caterpillar 994 was made in 1976, this time using a mechanical powertrain. However, due to high development costs and low expectations in the market for a loader of this size, Caterpillar management deemed the project too risky and was therefore terminated. The third and final trial of the Caterpillar 994 project began in the late 1980s and was in no way related to the previous two trials. Development of the 994 prototype began in 1989, and by September 1990 the prototype was ready. Caterpillar officially introduced the 994 for testing the following month. Let’s take a look at the features of this giant loader, which has constantly improved itself since then.
Bucket Capacity of Caterpillar 994 Loader
The Caterpillar 994 was available from Caterpillar in bucket sizes ranging from 13 to 26 cubic yards of capacity, depending on the Customer’s preference. Caterpillar also offered an optional high-volume 40 cubic yard bucket for coal. This particular 994 is equipped with a 23 cubic yard rock bucket measuring 18 feet 6 inches.
Boom / Z-Bar Connection
The 994 specification ZBAR linkage providing higher breakout force, higher rack back angle to reduce spill control dumping speed, and fewer pivot points Short or long boom configurations were also offered for the 994 to meet job requirements.
Caterpillar 994 Braking system
The Caterpillar 994 has Oil-cooled disc brakes and four-wheel drive with dual reduction planetary final drives on each wheel hub.
Dimensions / Weight
The current weight of the Caterpillar 994 loader is 240.02t. Standard tires have dimensions 45/65-45. The carrying length of this giant loader is 17.61 m, the carrying height is 7.12 m, and the width is 6.24 m.
Loader Tower / Hitch Design
The Caterpillar 994 features a four-plate loading tower attached to a box-section frame to absorb shock and rotational loads. The Caterpillar 994 also features a spring hanger design in which the upper and lower hangers are spaced 110 inches apart to resist torsional loads between the front and rear frame.
Engine power of Caterpillar 994 Loader
All these compartments you see in the image below provide access to the engine. The 994 is powered by a V16 diesel engine with a Caterpillar 3516 turbocharger and cold direct injection, providing a 35 percent increase in torque, producing 1250 horsepower at 1600 rpm and 5786 feet. The Caterpillar 994 produces pounds of torque at 1100 rpm for current versions.
Cooling / Hydraulic Pumps
The engine in the Caterpillar 994 drives three piston-type hydraulic pumps to power the application section, which for this machine now work together to develop 328 gpm at 1710 rpm. As you can see in the engine image above, there’s a lot of room on the upper deck of the 994 Loader, and if you look at the floor grilles you can see all of the individual compartments that provide access to all the powertrain components.
Cabin/Controls
You can get a good overview of the interior of the Caterpillar 994’s operator cabin from the image we left below. On the left you can see all the indicators that monitor the entire installer. You can see all the warning lights on the operating and off control panel on the right. The 994 is equipped with Caterpillar’s electronic monitoring system, which constantly monitors this loader in operation and alerts the operator in the event of a malfunction
Air Purifiers / Exhaust
At the top of the engine bay you can see the four exhaust stacks and the four air intakes and air cleaner units for the engine, this rear mounted loader is the fuel tank underneath the diesel engine which stores 1200 gallons of diesel fuel.
Comments are closed.