Caterpillar has introduced a new rubber-tyre or pneumatic compactor designed for use on granular materials and all types of asphalt-mix designs.
The global equipment leader said the new Cat CW16 is available a standard nine-wheel model with a 1754mm compaction width or as an optional 11-wheel model with a 2132mm compaction width. The CW16 is designed for efficient performance on highways, city streets, county roads, lane additions, industrial sites, overlays, or other mid-size jobs, said the manufacturer.
Depending on ballast used – including water, sand, steel, or combinations – the CW16’s operating weight varies from 5.2t base configuration to an approximate maximum weight of 15t for the nine-wheel configuration and 14.9t for the 11-wheel configuration. Cat added that the operating weight can be adjusted to suit job requirements and per-wheel weight can be varied from 580kg 1.6t for the nine-wheel model and from 480kg) to 1.3t for the 11-wheel model.
According to Cat’s statement, the CW16 has oscillating front wheels, which assist in compacting soft voids across the entire machine width, and the 11-wheel configuration increases efficiency in chip-and-seal applications. A tyre overlap of 32mm ensures even compaction across the surface. Each wheel is equipped with self-adjusting scrapers, and a water-spray system deters material from adhering to the wheel surface. Standard cocoa mats help retain water to keep wheels wet, and heat-retention aprons are available.
The CW16’s pressurised water-spray system is designed with dedicated spray nozzles for each wheel. The system includes a single water pump, triple filtration, and adjustable intermittent operation. Triple filtration (with filters at the fill point), in conjunction with the design of the water pump and spray nozzles, provides protection against clogs. The adjustable intermittent-spray mode conserves water and reduces the number of refills required, adding to the CW16’s efficiency.
Two engines are available for the CW16 to meet regional emissions requirements. The engine that it will come with in lesser regulated markets such as the Middle East is the 101.9hp Cat C4.4, which meets the equivalent of US EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIA/China NR III standards. An Eco-mode, in combination with an exclusive automatic speed-control system, is designed to save fuel, lower sound levels, and deliver smooth transitions for optimum mat quality, said Cat.
The manufacturer added that the CW16’s two-speed hydrostatic propel system is electronically controlled and designed to provide both jobsite manoeuvrability and speeds up to 19kmh. The propel system automatically shifts between speed ranges and has a coast feature that conserves fuel. Tyre choices include a 12-ply 7.5×15 radial or a 14-ply 7.5×15 bias-ply.
