72H Pipelayer

Integrated, robust pipelayer components

Implement and steering controls

Ergonomically designed for ease of operation.

Engine and power train

The 72H features a Cat C9.3 ACERT™ engine. The powershift transmission and differential steering work in tandem with the engine and a Cat Clean Emissions Module to deliver the performance and efficiency customers demand while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Interim / EU Stage IIIB standards.

• Six-cylinder electronic engine, turbocharged and aftercooled; displacement gives better lugging capability, lower internal stresses and longer component life.
• Single-stage torque divider sends 70 percent of engine torque through a converter and 30 percent through a direct drive shaft for greater driveline efficiency.
• Differential steering maintains full power to both tracks; both LGP tracks are powered during turns for greater load capacity, power and speed control on soft ground and steep slopes.
• Low-effort tiller bar, touch-shift control and steering modulation ensure ease of operation.

Emissions technology

• Cat NOx Reduction System captures and cools a small quantity of exhaust gas and routes it into the combustion chamber to drive down combustion temperatures and NOx emissions.
• Aftertreatment: a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) contained in a Caterpillar-designed Clean Emissions Module (CEM).
• Cat Regeneration System works transparently. Under most conditions exhaust is hot enough for passive regeneration; when needed the system raises exhaust temperature to burn off soot automatically. A soot-level monitor and regeneration indicators are integrated in the dash display.
• Optional Key-Off Regeneration lets the operator initiate a cycle after the key is turned off; the engine completes regeneration and cools down before shutting off.

Structure and undercarriage

• Main frame engineered for pipelaying: purpose-built steel side-skin plates reinforce the chassis, main case, center saddle and front cross member.
• Final drives are elevated well above the ground-level work area to protect them from impact loads, abrasion and contaminants; robotic welding of case and frames.
• Elevated sprocket design isolates final drives, axles and steering components from harsh impacts; fixed track frames ensure rigid stability for lifting.
• 660.4 mm (26 in) single grouser shoe, LGP configuration; hydraulic track adjusters; segmented sprocket sections; sealed and lubricated track.
• Pipelayer lifting loads are anchored across the complete track-frame cross-section for superior strength distribution.

Cooling, sustainability and serviceability

• Radiator, air-to-air aftercooler and hydraulic oil cooler packaged in a single plane; aluminum bar-plate cores with 6 fins per inch resist plugging. Hydraulically driven demand fan saves fuel and lowers sound levels; optional reversing fan.
• Meets U.S. Tier 4 Interim / EU Stage IIIB; fuel-efficient engine and demand fan reduce consumption; Product Link compatible. Major components are built to be rebuilt.
• Hinged or tool-less engine enclosure panels; ground-level service center on the left fender with battery disconnect and secondary engine shutdown; standard engine coolant heater, HD starter and ecology drains.
• Ladders and steps designed for pipelayer operations. Operator Presence Detection locks out the powertrain when the operator is not seated.
• 72H replacement parts are fully integrated into Caterpillar's worldwide parts network — order through any local Cat dealer.

Safety features

• Quick-drop function on load-line control.
• Boom and hook drawworks driven by independent hydraulic winches.
• Oil-disc brakes provide smooth operation and positive retention of boom and hook positions.
• Infinitely variable speed controls for boom and hook.
• Hydraulic boom-stop valve provides a proven automatic safety stop to prevent overloading of key components.