Caterpillar has redesigned it D7 series dozer to be closer in productivity to the D8.

At 265 hp, and an operating weight of 29,776 kg, the new D7 dozer replaces the D7E. The new high drive machine weighs-in with about 1,800 more kilograms, an additional 30 hp and a 10 per cent larger blade. 

“All of that is going to help us get a little bit more productivity out of this dozer, and be a little bit closer to the D8 in terms of its capabilities,” said Sam Meeker, Caterpillar’s product application specialist for dozers. 

“In the past, the D7E was a little bit too close to the D6.  So, when we brought that D6XE out, we wanted to bring out the new D7 and bump it up a little bit on our chart.”

The upgrades allow the D7 to move up to 8 per cent more material per hour than the D7E.

The elevated sprocket undercarriage delivers better ride and balance, as well as increased penetration force. 

When designing the high drive dozer, Cat placed the engine and the transmission lower on the frame to improve stability. 

“We positioned the roller frame where we need to in relation to the sprocket,” Meeker said. “On a big dozer like this, you spend a lot of time doing heavy cut work. So, you need a lot of weight on the front end.”

Like the D6 and D8T, the new D7 is driven by a fully automatic 4-speed transmission. The transmission continuously adjusts for maximum efficiency and power to the ground without added operator input.

In the cab, operators will find more space, multiple seat and control adjustments for optimal comfort and an easy-to-use 25 cm touchscreen operator interface. 

A standard high definition rearview camera shows prominently in the main display. 

“This is going to be the same cab we have on the D5 and the D6,” Meeker said. 

“All of that commonality is nice on the jobsite for operators that are going to jump back and forth between machines.”

The D7 leads the industry in technology offerings, according to Cat. For example, Slope Indicate is standard with the premium display package, showing machine main fall and cross-slope for easy reference. 

As well, ARO with Assist is a grade-ready option bundled with basic blade control and a new set of assist features that just work in the background to help operators get more done in less time. 

“This tractor does get the full gamut of technology. We’re excited to bring that to market,” Meeker said.  

As well, small antennas are integrated into the cab roof for better protection and GPS receivers are mounted inside so they can be secured by locking the cab doors. A 25 cm Grade operator interface works like a smart phone, making it easy for operators to learn the system. 

The D7 is remote control ready from the factory. Internal components are integrated into machine systems and an external connector that allows dealer installation of a plug-and-play roof-mounted remote-control unit. 

Cat Command for Dozing offers line-of-sight (LOS) control using an over-the-shoulder console, or a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) option using the Cat Command Station to run the machine remotely.  

Cat Link telematics technology helps take the complexity out of managing job sites  by gathering data generated by equipment, materials and people.

Product Link collects data automatically from equipment assets – of any type and any brand – which can be viewed online through web and mobile applications.

VisionLink allows access to information at anytime from anywhere. 

The Cat App helps manage assets – at any time –from a smartphone. 

Remote Troubleshoot allows a Cat dealer to perform diagnostic testing remotely. Remote Flash updates on-board software without a technician present, potentially reducing update time by as much as 50 per cent.

Application Profile and Operator ID help save time by saving preferred machine settings. 

For machine security, Passcode provides an optional additional level of security by requiring an operator to enter an ID before the machine will start.

The D7 is available in Standard or Low Ground Pressure (LGP) configurations, with a variety of blade and track shoe choices to optimize the machine for the intended application. 

The D7 can also be ordered with specialized guarding to take on the challenges of waste, landfill, forestry or land clearing. 

In addition to machine protection against impacts and airborne debris, the specialty dozers can be ordered with an impact-resistant cab, application-specific undercarriage and a specialty blade.