Cat 973K Track Loader - Steel Mill Configuration

Track Loaders

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About the Cat 973K Track Loader - Steel Mill Configuration

Factory designed and installed features equip your track loader for the extreme heat and harsh conditions of steel mill work. Maneuverability, visibility and the breakout force needed for fast cycle times make crawler loaders a rugged and efficient choice for handling slag.

Specifications

Engine

Flywheel Power	275 HP
Engine Power - Maximum - SAE J1995	310 HP
Engine Power - Maximum - ISO 14396	306 HP
Engine Power - Maximum - ISO 14396 (DIN)	310 HP
Net Power (Rated) - ISO 9249/SAE J1349	275 HP
Net Power (Rated) - ISO 9249/SAE J1349 (DIN)	278 HP

Weights

Operating Weight	74293 lb
Operating Weight - Steel Mill	74293 lb
Shipping Weight - Steel Mill	63097 lb

Buckets

Capacity - General Purpose	4 yd³
Capacity - Slag	4 yd³
Width - Slag	112 in

Undercarriage

Track Shoe Width - Standard	19.7 in
Track on Ground	115.4 in
Ground Contact Area (ISO 16754:2008): Steel Mill Shoe - 500 mm (19.7 in)	5161 in²
Ground Pressure* (ISO 16754:2008): Steel Mill Shoe - 500 mm (19.7 in)	14.4 psi
Grouser Height - Double Grouser	1.9 in
Track Gauge	85 in
Link Pitch	8.5 in

Service Refill Capacities

Fuel Tank	101.5 gal (US)
Cooling System	11.6 gal (US)
DEF Tank	9.2 gal (US)

Dimensions

Overall Machine Width without Bucket: Steel Mill Tracks - 500 mm (19.7 in) Shoes	107.9 in
Overall Machine Width with Slag Bucket: Steel Mill Tracks - 500 mm (19.7 in)	116.5 in
Ground Clearance	18.5 in
Machine Height - Top of Cab	140 in
Length - Front of Track	209.6 in
Overall Machine Length*	298.4 in
Digging Depth*	6.2 in
Bucket Height - Carry Position	19 in
Reach at Full Lift Height and 45° Dump*	53.8 in
Clearance at Full Lift Height and 45° Dump*	116.2 in
Height - Bucket Hinge Pin	166.1 in
Overall Machine Height - Bucket Fully Raised	226.5 in
Height to Top of the Seat with Headrest	117.6 in
Height - Top of Stack	120.8 in

Features

Durability

Specialized heavy duty guarding, insulation, thermal deflectors and high temperature seals throughout the machine.
Welded side bars reduce thermal distortion of the track roller frame.
Anti-abrasion guards protect the final drive seals.
Pressure relief/flash spark arrester on fuel tank cap.
Steel mill cab with heavy duty, laminated windshield glass.
Metallic screen on windshield grill to help protect glass and maintain good visibility; hinged for quick cleaning access.
Metallic shield integrated in bottom of cab doors helps protect windows against slag.
Specialized heat resistant seals and cab materials.
Steel plate on top of cab greatly reduces radiant heat transfer into cab.
New high capacity slag bucket features thicker structures and stronger teeth/cutting edges for longer service life.
Choice of track shoes lets you optimize your loader for traction and to work on paved surfaces.
Synthetic, fire-resistant hydraulic fluid.

Steel Mill Operating Recommendations

Caterpillar recommends that Steel Mill machines be exposed to hot slag for less than 15 minutes each hour to allow for adequate cooling time between cycles. Typically, two machines per furnace and a backup machine for the site provide the best uptime. The timing, frequency and duration of the work and cooling cycles varies by job site, but exceeding the recommended exposure time will prevent the machine from meeting expected performance levels.

973K Track Loader equipped with a Steel Mill package goes in to the slag furnace

EQUIPMENT - Machine Modifications Include:

Heavy duty front guard and bottom guards
Heavy duty laminated windshield glass
Side bars welded on the track roller frame
Metallic rings on low and high linkage
Floating solid pin on lower bucket linkages
High temperature seals in the equalizer bar, idlers, track rollers and final drives
High temperature braiding on wiring harnesses
Silicone material used on windshield, side windows and cab door seals, front baffles, front and rear wiper blades and door stoppers
Thermal insulation of front guard, equalizer bar rubber pads, air cleaner hose, bottom guards, enclosure doors, fenders, lift cylinders heads, hydraulic tilt lines, hydraulic lift lines, hydrostatic lines, cab sound insulation, DEF lines, lift rotary sensor and lift linkage sensor
Radiator guard with counterweights helps improve machine balance
Fire resistant floormat
Fuel spark arrester and pressure relief
Cab door windows protected at bottom
Additional metal roof on top of cab
Metallic door handles and push-button release
Manual brake release system located in the cab
8 heat-resistant lights

EQUIPMENT - Steel Mill Package Includes:

Visibility Kit, Double Camera
Windshield Protection
Tilt Cylinder Guard
Lower Final Drive Abrasion Guard

973K Track Loader equipped to work in the heat of a steel mill

EQUIPMENT - Requires:

Reversing Fan, Steel Mill
Metallic Turbine Precleaner on Engine Air Inlet
Tracks, Sealed & Non-Lubricated For Steel Mill
Ecosafe Hydraulic Oil
Steel Mill Cab
No Product Link
No Bumper
3.0 m3 (4.0 yd3) Slag Bucket
Heavy Duty Bumper Counterweight

EQUIPMENT - Recommended Options:

Track Roller Guard, Steel Mill Arrangement
Final Drive Abrasion Guard

Note: A Partial Steel Mill package is available for Cat® 953K and 963K Track Loader models. The base package offers specialized seals and guarding, as well as machine features to allow dealer upgrades to your track loader for work in high-temperature conditions. The Partial Steel Mill package does not include modifications required to work in hot slag. Please consult with your Cat dealer for details.