Caterpillar debuted a wear sensor for tracks so customers can remotely monitor undercarriage wear to better predict wear, plan maintenance, and increase machine uptime.
According to Caterpillar, the new Cat Track Wear Sensor (CTWS) is part of the Cat Wear Management System, wirelessly communicating track link wear information from the machine to dealers for monitoring. The company says timed alert intervals improve inspection scheduling and streamline replacement parts ordering.
The real-time track wear status enables no-touch track link measurements, Caterpillar says, increasing fleet coverage by automating inspections, providing visibility to track wear when operating in remote locations, and allowing for prioritized timing of service visits by helping to optimize manual inspections.
Caterpillar says more than 2,000 of its machines have already been shipped with the sensor technology. The small electronic sensor installs in a customized pocket in the track link for protection. Each link assembly includes a smart link resulting in two sensors on a machine – one on each side.
The CTWS survives high-frequency shock loads and meets sensor functional and environmental tests, the company adds. Additionally, depending on the operating conditions, Caterpillar says its sensor battery life has shown to last up to seven years.
The wear sensor is standard on new Cat D5, D6 and D8 dozers, as well as on 953 and 963 track loader models in select regions. Caterpillar says it plans to expand the wear sensor to other models in the dozer line in the future.
