Use and operation of Caterpillar 854G Wheel Dozers

The intent of this document is layout the operational methods and procedure to best
operate a Caterpillar wheel dozer.
Specifically to explain the use and operation of:
1. ICTC
2. Throttle Lock
3. RCS
4. Left Pedal
5. Right Pedal
6. Service brakes
7. General operational tips

ICTC (Left Pedal)

Impeller Clutch Torque Converter

ICTC Pedal (Left Pedal)

(Picture not to scale)

Reduces shocks from the driveline assisting smooth operation. The

ICTC allows the operator to vary Rimpull from 100% to a minimum of
20% allowing more useable power to be transferred to the wheels or
hydraulics.

The ICTC works off the left pedal for approximately the first 25mm of
pedal travel, this first 25mm of pedal travel controls the torque
converter. Further movement actuates the brakes. The pedal has three
actual positions;
First two degrees of stroke the pedal do not actuate any function. This
is the "dead " area of the pedal to compensate for "riding the pedal
and does prevent loss of Rimpull i.e. Rimpull is 100%.
The next nine degrees of stroke decreases Rimpull from maximum
100% to 20%
Further depression beyond this actuates the brakes. ICTC pressure
never drops to zero. (There is always some drive to the wheels,
minimum of 20%)

ICTC helps control the amount of rimpull reaching the ground. The
operator can doze material while maximum engine RPM is maintained,
reducing possibility of tyre spin.

ICTC allows for smoother directional shift changes by modulating

impeller clutch pressure automatically during direction shift changes.
The electronic transmission control sends a signal to the transmission

solenoid based on the direction shift switch and speed sensors. The
pedal does not have to be used to achieve this smoother directional
shift.

Throttle Lock

Throttle
Lock Set

Throttle
Lock
Enable
The

throttle lock is there to maintain engine RPM to give positive

response on rimpull and hydraulics especially in the blade loading
segment of the 854G cycle. The throttle lock allows the engine to run
at continuous RPM in order to provide maximum hydraulic power from
the implement pump.
If the throttle lock is used when travelling it acts like the cruise control
on a car. It can be deactivated by application of the right pedal (brake)
or the panel-mounted switch (shown above).
Note: The throttle lock must be enabled before engine speed can be
set. An indicator light comes on when the throttle lock is enabled.
Using the left pedal will not disconnect the throttle lock and if used
can allow the machine to accelerate due to its weight because the
retardation of the engine has been reduced from 100%.
It is not recommended to use throttle lock and left pedal other than
when dozing or when maneuvering at very low speed, as the machine

will drive through its brakes once the 20% Rimpull position on the
pedal is reached.

Left Pedal (ICTC) Right Pedal (Service Brake)

Left Pedal ICTC

The

Right Pedal Service Brake

left pedal should be considered to function as a clutch

where the powertrain is progressively disengaged from a maximum of
100% rimpull to a minimum of 20% rimpull.
This is used to control tyre slip and redirect power to the hydraulics to
increase blade response.
This pedal should be considered as a ground speed controller while
dozing or while maneuvering at low speed on level ground.

The

left pedal should never be used to brake the machine. The

brake application at the end of clutch pedal travel allows the operator
to hold the machine in position without having to use the right brake
pedal which would require using both feet, and would disengage
throttle lock. Using the left pedal while working, ground speed should
be low (1st gear), and only 20% Rimpull is working against the brakes.
The key thing to remember is that the left pedal's braking function is to
control the machine, not to retard or stop the machine while in
transport. ICTC helps to match ground speed with working conditions.
The

difference between left (clutch) and right (brake) pedal

actuation is that the left pedal reduces clutch pressure which
limits the engines natural retarding capability, but can still
provide 20% rimpull against the brakes.
Right

pedal is brake only, disengages the throttle lock, and

maintains the engines natural retarding capability to help
slow the machine

RCS (Rimpull Control System)

Rimpull Control System

The Impeller Clutch Torque Converter (ICTC) pedal works very well by itself to control
ground speed, provide smoother directional shifts and for controlling occasional tire slip.
However, certain dozing conditions such as coal applications or wet, slick floors may
require a reduced rimpull setting for long periods in order to prevent costly tire slip.
Rather than the operator trying to find the best rimpull setting with the ICTC pedal, the
operator can use the Rimpull Control System (RCS) selector dial to select the maximum
desired rimpull from four factory preset positions:
Maximum, High, Medium and Low. Effective with (AMP00328), all 854G Wheel
Dozers will have the RCS installed at the factory as standard equipment. To retrofit your
current AMP serial number machine, please see SEPD 0679 for information.
When the RCS selection switch is in any position other than maximum, an indicator light
on the dash will illuminate. The operator can choose the reduced setting that best matches
conditions. Additional rimpull modulation can still be achieved with the left pedal. For
example, if the operator selects the Medium setting, he can then modulate from that point
down to 20 percent. RCS is active in first forward gear only. If the operator shifts to
second gear or higher, the machine will provide 100 percent rimpull. When he shifts back
to first gear, the rimpull will revert back to the level selected.
Benefits
Lower tire costs due to better operator control of rimpull
Smoother shifts without having to lower engine rpm during directional changes
Maximum hydraulic efficiency the operator can maintain high engine rpm by using
Throttle Lock and still control wheel slip

 ICTC provides smooth ground speed control allowing the operator to smoothly
approach and back away from objects
ICTC/RCS when used with throttle lock can improve engine life and improve fuel
efficiency
Traction The 854G is designed to be productive and cost effective in a variety of
applications. Whether maintaining a dump area for large mining trucks or dozing coal at
power generation plants, the 854G delivers. It has the weight, horsepower and blade
capacity to move large amounts of material. Within the various applications the 854G
serves, underfoot conditions also vary. The ground the 854G works on will determine the
coefficient of traction, or the amount of traction available to the machine. The following
chart shows the coefficient of traction for various material types. Given the coefficient of
traction factors, you can approximate the amount of usable rimpull in various
materials by multiplying the machine weight by the coefficient of traction.*
Examples:
854G with Heavy Duty Semi-U blade weight ..99 984 kg
Traction Coefficient working on firm earth.....0 .55
Approximate usable rimpull . . . . . . . . . ... .54 990 kg
854G with Coal Blade weighs . . . . . . . .99 567 kg
Traction Coefficient working on stockpiled coal...0 .45
Approximate usable rimpull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..44 804 kg
*This is an approximation. Other factors such as rolling resistance and grade
should be included when calculating drawbar pull. Refer to the Caterpillar
Performance Handbook.

APPENDIX B
Material Traction factor
Concrete
Quarry Pit
Firm Earth
Clay Loam, dry
Loose Earth
Clay Loam, wet
Coal, Stockpiled
Rutted Clay loam
Wet Sand
Gravel Road, loose
Dry Sand

= 0.90
= 0.65
= 0.55
=0.55
=0 .45
=0.45
=0.45
=0.40
=0.40
=0.36
=0.20

The examples above illustrate that different levels of rimpull are required for different
working conditions in order to control tire slippage. The new RCS on the 854G was
designed to maximize machine performance and minimize tire slip in varied applications.

General Operational Tips (Summary)

It

is recommended the 854G be operated with throttle lock activated

and on in first gear. This enables the redirection of full engine power
from Rimpull to hydraulics, to match ground speed to hydraulic
implement speed.
Use of The ICTC is useful when loading blade or in areas where
rimpull control is desirable. An example where ICTC is useful is where
tyre slip may occur or in poor underfoot or bony material.
The right pedal is the service brake and should be used for all
braking.
Using the right pedal natural engine retardation assists in the braking
process. (Recommended for 2nd & 3rd gear)
The throttle lock is disengaged when the right pedal is depressed.
The 854G is capable of maintaining constant speed, in 2nd gear on a
ramp of 11% effective grade, downhill, using engine retardation alone.
(Assumes second gear operation )
At an 11% grade with Lock Up Converter switched on, throttle lock
off no service braking should be required. Engine RPM needs to be
maintained to ensure maximum retardation and keeping the LUC
activated.
In normal operation the service brakes should not be needed to
control machine ground speed and used only to check speed or stop
machine.
It is recommended the brakes be dabbed to control excessive
machine speed that is not controlled by engine retardation i.e. steeper
grades. The brake pedal should not be used for long continuous
periods. This is not necessary for normal operation. Excessive heat
can lead to axle oil degradation and shorter brake material life.
If there is a need to reduce or control machine speed it is
recommended that brakes be applied in short durations not one long
continuous application.
Continuous application of the brakes will cause heat build up, as
these are oil-dipped brakes not oil pressure fed like on trucks.
Brake application on the 854G actually causes oil to be squeezed out
of the plates and application of the brakes generates heat. The heat is
absorbed by the oil and is dissipated by the cooler once the brakes are
released.