Cat's New 12.5-Liter Engine Delivers 15-Liter Power, Weighs 32% Less

February 21, 2019 - Caterpillar’s new C13B diesel engine combines a core engine with more than 109 million off-highway field hours with design improvements that let equipment OEMs downsize engine platforms, lower installation costs, and maximize uptime.

Caterpillar plans to exhibit the new engine at the Bauma trade show in Munich, Germany, April 8-14, 2019.

The 12.5-liter engine delivers 15-liter power at 32% less system weight.

It features patented non-EGR aftertreatment to meet EU Stage V and U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and can be rated from 340 kW (456 hp) to 430 kW (577 hp) with peak torque of 2634 Nm (1943 lb.-ft.).

The new C13B engine offers a high power density of 34-kW/L (46-hp/L) that allows engine downsizing without sacrificing performance or reliability.

The new engine offers peak power across a wide speed range, enabling OEMs to optimize machine performance based on application needs, plus it features high torque rise for excellent load acceptance.

“With a proven, reliable core engine and our extensive experience across all industrial sectors, the C13B represents a continuation of our commitment to develop engines that deliver improved performance, simplify installation and reduce operating costs,” says Jeff Moore, product director, research and development for 7.2- to 18-liter engines. 

The new aftertreatment system uses diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter, and high-efficiency selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies, eliminating the need for exhaust gas recirculation.

The Caterpillar patented design technology delivers a compact, lightweight system that is 63% lighter and 65% smaller than its current equivalent.

Features such as integrated NO_x sensors offer a 50% reduction in customer interface connections, optimizing component packaging and integration requirements. Aftertreatment regeneration is transparent to the operator without affecting machine performance, offering maximum uptime.

The C13B is fully configurable with a wide variety of factory installed options offered that allow OEMs a choice of transmission interfaces, rotating electrics and many other machine interfaces. The C13B will be available with engine-mounted aftertreatment and installed radiators from the factory, offering plug and play solutions that minimize machine design, validation and installation costs. An established customization manufacturing system at the factory in Seguin, TX enables production of these options while maintaining high build quality.

"We understand that not all customers have the resources to design, manufacture and validate on the same scale," says Moore. "For that reason, Caterpillar designs its products with the flexibility to accommodate various OEM requirements, resulting in lower installation costs."

Ideal for high-hour and long-life construction, agriculture and industrial applications over 10,000 hours, the Cat C13B engine offers increased performance while lowering operating and maintenance costs. High efficiency SCR and the elimination of EGR are the key enablers to improving fuel consumption by up to 6 percent while maintaining neutrality of total fluid consumption. Factory options such as remote mounted fuel/oil filters and right- or left-side fluid gauges improve serviceability. Standard service intervals of 500 hours, under normal operating conditions, and up to 5,000-hour DPF ash service intervals deliver low-cost maintenance.

Product support to keep the C13B engine operating at maximum efficiency is provided by the world-class global Cat dealer network. Cat dealers offer genuine Cat parts and a variety of services including scheduled maintenance with S∙O∙S^SM sampling, customer support agreements (CSAs) and extended service coverage (ESC) to optimize engine life and lower operating costs. In addition, dealer service technicians are trained to service the entire Cat industrial engine line.

The new C13B engine has undergone extensive lab and field-testing to ensure durability and reliability. With a successful pilot program underway, the C13B will enter full production in 2019.