Capital Equipment News February 2015

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS FEBRUARY 2015 8
FASTER ASPHALT COMPACTION RESULTS
with new CAT B-Series compactors
Sized right for the application, Cater-
pillar’s new Cat CB44B and CB54B
B-Series tandem drum vibratory
compactors build on the track record of the
proven models that they succeed, namely the
CB434D and CB534D, and come to market
with a host of advanced features that are
designed to match varied job site require-
ments, from parking lots to mainline paving.
Additionally, these machines offer multiple
vibratory choices to match amplitude and fre-
quency requirements.
“Whilst some of the features have changed
on the B-Series, the best-in-class vibrato-
ry systems haven’t,” points out Barloworld
Equipment paving industry manager, Johan
Hartman. “It’s still easy to match frequency to
amplitude in order to achieve predetermined
densities in the fewest number of passes.”
(Barloworld Equipment is the Cat dealer for
southern Africa.) The CB44B and CB54B tan-
dem vibratory rollers compete in the 5 to 8,
and 8 to 11,3 tonne class, respectively. Both
machines are driven by four cylinder Cat C4.4
engines, each configured with different rat-
ings to maximise power to weight ratios, and
in turn meeting EU Stage IIIA standards.
Machines supplied to the southern African
market come standard with a FOPS cab,
which features full floor-to-ceiling glass,
enabling good sight lines to the drum
edges, drum surfaces, and both sides of
the machine. Visibility and comfort are
enhanced by the standard 180º seat po-
sitioning; whilst new handwheel steering
technology eliminates the conventional
front steering console. Meanwhile, an LCD
display and push-button controls simplify
operation for an all-around comfortable
operating environment.
On the go, ease of operation is simplified with
a newly designed centre-articulating hitch
with six degrees of oscillation that ensures
mat contact and a smoother ride over uneven
surfaces. An offset option of up to 170 mm
extends coverage and simplifies control next
to obstacles.
Well suited to all types of mix designs and
applications, both machines perform equally
well in vibratory or static mode, providing high
variations of amplitudes for breakdown and
intermediate tasks, while their high static lin-
ear loads deliver excellent results for finishing
work. Typical applications include highways,
city streets, secondary roads, lane additions,
industrial sites, overlays, and airport runways.
Fitted with 1,5 m drums, the CB44B gen-
erates 82,1 kW, whilst the CB54B is fitted
with 1,7m drums and delivers 96,5 kW on