Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Caterpillar has introduced a new Cat Track Wear Sensor (CTWS) to improve monitoring and maintenance of undercarriage wear. Exclusive to Cat machines and undercarriages, this sensor provides remote tracking of wear, assisting in predicting wear-out periods and planning maintenance to maximize machine uptime.
The CTWS integrates with the Cat Wear Management System to wirelessly transmit critical track link wear data from the machine to the dealer. It sends alerts at 40% wear for possible bushing turns, at 70% for measuring and ordering replacement parts, and at 100% for required replacement. These alerts help schedule inspections and streamline parts ordering. The system enables no-touch track link measurements, improving fleet coverage through automated inspections and offering visibility of track wear in remote locations.
More than 2,000 Cat machines have been field-tested with this sensor technology. The sensor is installed in a protected pocket within the track link, with each link assembly featuring a smart link, resulting in two sensors per machine. The CTWS is designed to endure high-frequency shock loads and meets functional and environmental standards, with a battery life of up to seven years under certain operating conditions.
The wear sensor is now standard on new Cat D5, D6 and D8 dozers, as well as 953 and 963 track loader models in selected regions, with plans to extend the technology to other models in the dozer line. Retrofitting options are available for eligible dozer undercarriages.