Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/442865
72 • January 2015 www.concreteproducts.com INNOVATIONS REPORT TRUCKS Extensive CT681 testing as part of Cat- erpillar's field follow program brought the equivalent of more than three years' use. "This process provides a crucial feedback loop between our customers and vocation- al truck product team, identifying any required changes to design and produc- tion," says Global On-Highway Truck Prod- uct Manager Dave Schmitz. "Customers who have tested the truck tell us it drives well, it's powerful, it's quiet and their drivers enjoy getting behind the wheel." With 28-in. bumper-to-front axle spac- ing and overall 114-in. bumper-to-back of cab length, the CT681 suits ready mixed pro- ducers and dump truck operators in bridge formula states. Mixer installation is simpli- fied, owing to vertical tie-in plates mounted behind a spacious, ergonomic cab. The truck's interior helps reduce driv- er fatigue, enhance safety and boost pro- ductivity, engineers note, adding that the dashboard and center stack feature easy-to-read gauges that can be viewed through the steering wheel. Easy-to-reach side compartments, back-panel storage and oversized side pockets provide space for paperwork, log books and more. Fur- thermore, a tuned cab air suspension sys- tem, premium grade sound insulation, plus tight fitting components and trim deliver a smooth, quiet ride. The CT681 affords expansive road vis- ibility thanks to a curved, sloped, wrap- around windshield in a one- or two-piece design, sealed-beam halogen headlights, and LED park/turn lights. Large, heated, cowl-mounted mirrors with integrated turn signals also enhance all-around visibility. A generous door opening, three-point grab irons and skid-resistant steps help ensure safe entry and exit. The standard Cat CT Series Vocation- al Truck Engine has 365- to 430-hp and 1,250 to 1,550 lb.-ft. peak torque ratings. The engine features a Selective Catalyt- ic Reduction solution to meet emissions standards, with upgraded in-cylinder With its set-forward axle, the CT681 allows customers affected by bridge law formulas in their states or on the interstate highway system to maximize loads. It also suits operators prefer a longer wheelbase truck for better ride quality on long hauls or rough haul roads.