Bulldozers are heavy construction equipment used for pushing large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, etc. during construction and mining operations.
The two most popular bulldozer brands are Komatsu and Caterpillar, both known for their reliability and high productivity. In this article, we will compare two of their flagship dozers – the Komatsu D575A and Caterpillar D11.
A Brief Comparison
| Features | Komatsu D575A | Caterpillar D11 |
| Engine Power | 895 HP | 850 HP |
| Operating Weight | 179,610 lbs | 130,000 lbs |
| Blade Capacity | 115.6 cubic yards | 80 cubic yards |
| Ground Clearance | 23 inches | 18 inches |
| Fuel Capacity | 472 gallons | 400 gallons |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Power shift |
| Undercarriage | SIGMADOZER | SystemOne |
| Technology | Komtrax | Cat Product Link |
| Emissions Standards | Tier 2 | Tier 4 Final |
Overview of Komatsu D575A
The Komatsu D575A is a large mining dozer introduced in 2013 as an upgrade to the popular D575 model. Here are some key features of the D575A dozer:
- Equipped with an 895 HP Komatsu SA12V140E-3 engine which provides high power output for heavy pushing operations.
- Features SIGMADOZER blade with a 115.6 cubic yard capacity for increased productivity. The blade design provides excellent penetration and smooth operation.
- Hydrostatic transmission provides quick response and smooth control. Three speed ranges allow the right amount of speed for precise work.
- Uses Komtrax telematics system for remote monitoring and diagnosis. Helps improve fleet management.
- Operator comforts include air suspension heated seat, rearview monitoring system and low noise/vibration cab.
- Undercarriage includes lubricated tracks, Oscillating track frame and durable track links for maximum service life.
- Complies with Tier 2 emissions regulations for lower environmental impact.
Overview of Caterpillar D11
The Caterpillar D11 is another heavy mining bulldozer known for its reliability and high performance. Key features include:
- Powered by a 850 HP Cat C27 ACERT V12 diesel engine designed for high power and fuel efficiency.
- Equipped with large three-piece grouser plate blade with 80 cubic yard capacity for moving large amounts of material.
- SystemOne undercarriage uses a modular design for easy servicing and maximum wear life.
- Operator station has excellent all-round visibility and ergonomic controls. Also has rearview camera monitoring.
- Uses Product Link telematics for equipment health and productivity monitoring. Helps optimize job sites.
- Air suspended seat, sound suppression and low vibrations improve operator comfort.
- Meets Tier 4 Final emission standards for lower environmental impact.
- Special guaranteed maintenance contracts provide repair/rebuild assurance.
Also Read: Comparison Between Komatsu D85 and CAT D7
Key Differences Between Komatsu D575A and Caterpillar D11
The Komatsu D575A and Cat D11 are similar looking mining dozers and have comparable horsepower, but there are some design and feature differences:
- Size and Capacity
The D575A has a larger operating weight of 179,610 lbs compared to 130,000 lbs for the D11. This allows it to use a bigger SIGMADOZER blade with 115 cubic yard capacity, 34% more than the D11’s 80 cubic yard blade. The extra weight and capacity gives it an advantage in moving larger quantities of material.
- Engine Power and Transmission
Komatsu uses a 895 HP engine versus Caterpillar’s 850 HP powerplant. Both deliver ample power, but the higher HP in the D575A results in potentially faster work rates.
For transmitting power, the D575A utilizes a hydrostatic transmission while the D11 uses a power shift transmission. The hydrostatic design provides faster, smoother control response.
- Undercarriage and Ground Clearance
The D575A employs Komatsu’s lubricated track arrangement which needs less maintenance than the D11’s SystemOne dry undercarriage.
It also has a higher ground clearance of 23 inches compared to 18 inches in the D11, allowing it to negotiate rougher terrain more easily.
- Blade Design
Both machines use well-designed blades, but the SIGMADOZER on the Komatsu has excellent penetration ability and a unique float function for fine grading. The D11’s blade focuses more on impact resistance for very hard surfaces.
- Technology
For remote monitoring and fleet management, Komatsu uses Komtrax while Caterpillar has Product Link. Both are advanced telematics systems providing real-time machine data and diagnostics, but Komtrax gives more detailed information on operations and job site productivity.
- Emissions and Noise
The D11 meets the latest Tier 4 Final emission standards while the D575A complies with the older Tier 2 regulations. However, the D575A produces less cab noise at 65 dB compared to 70 dB for the D11, making it more comfortable for long operating shifts.
- Availability of Custom Options
Caterpillar offers more customization options for their dozers including full cab guarding packages and specialized blades. Komatsu configurations are more standardized.
- Pricing
The Komatsu D575A typically costs 10-15% more than the Caterpillar D11. Being the newer, larger machine with more technology, it commands a pricing premium.
Also Watch This Review Video:
Pros and Cons of Komatsu D575A Dozer
Pros
- Excellent productivity from high horsepower engine and large blade capacity.
- Smooth and responsive hydrostatic transmission.
- Higher ground clearance for rough terrain work.
- SIGMADOZER blade provides penetration and fine grading ability.
- Komtrax telematics is very advanced for managing job sites.
- Lower interior sound levels improve operator comfort.
Cons
- Higher purchasing cost than competitor models.
- Limited custom configuration options compared to rivals.
- Does not meet latest Tier 4 emissions standards.
- Resale value may depreciate faster than rivals.
Pros and Cons of Caterpillar D11 Dozer
Pros
- Proven reliability from decades of use in mining and construction.
- Meets latest Tier 4 emission standards for lower emissions.
- Modular SystemOne undercarriage is easy to service and replace.
- Cat dealer network provides extensive service and support.
- Superior blade impact and penetration resistance.
- Wide range of customization for specialized applications.
Cons
- Slightly lower horsepower rating than the D575A.
- More maintenance needed on dry suspension undercarriage.
- Somewhat lesser visibility from cab compared to rivals.
- Not equipped for fine grading work like the SIGMADOZER.
- Product Link telematics provides less detailed metrics than Komtrax.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The closest equivalent Komatsu model to the Cat D11 is the D475A-8. It has a similar weight class of 119,000 lbs and horsepower rating of 850 HP. However, it still has a lower blade capacity at 66 cubic yards.
The Cat D11 is one of the largest mainstream production dozers. Both Komatsu and Caterpillar offer ultra-class mining dozers bigger than the D11 like the Komatsu D575A-3 (179,610 lbs) and Cat D10T (187,000 lbs). These are specialized models made in lower quantities.
No, the Komatsu D575A has been discontinued and replaced by the newer D475A-8 model in 2019. However, many D575A units are still in operation and Komatsu continues to provide spare parts and service support for the model.
The Cat D11 is among the biggest standard production dozer models, but it is not the absolute largest. The specialized ultra-class Cat D11T dozer (187,000 lbs) is bigger in size and capacity. The even larger Komatsu D575A-3 (179,610 lbs) is another model that exceeds the D11 in scale.
Final Thoughts
The Komatsu D575A and Caterpillar D11 represent the pinnacle of bulldozer engineering. Both can efficiently move high volumes of material in large mining and construction projects.
The larger D575A has an advantage in capacity and speed. But the D11 scores on customizable options and lower acquisition cost. Overall, the models are quite comparable in terms of reliability, productivity and long-term durability.
Potential buyers need to assess their specific work requirements and budgets to determine if the D575A’s higher production is worth the extra investment over the already formidable D11. Proper equipment maintenance and operator training will ensure top performance from both heavy dozers.
