Heavy Equipment Guide Logo

Hand wheel steering on Cat rollers eliminates front steering console

Hand wheel steering on Cat rollers eliminates front steering console

The Cat B-Series Tandem Vibratory Rollers feature more drum options, greater operator comfort and improved technology which help operators and machines perform at higher levels. The series includes the CB44B and CB54B, and the CD44B and CD54B.

Many of the technological enhancements are provided through the optional Cat Compaction Control. The system combines infrared temperature sensors with mapping to keep the operator informed of current mat temperatures, machine position, and coverage completion. This intuitive system greatly enhances nighttime performance, and also records information for future process analysis and quality control documentation.

When combined with drum edge and drum surface lighting, Cat Compaction Control helps extend the workday and increase daily production by optimizing jobsite awareness in low-light conditions. The intuitive interface also makes the technology easy for operators to apply.

Drum choices
In addition, the rollers perform exceptionally well in vibratory or static mode, enabling a single machine to perform breakdown, intermediate and finishing work. The B-Series machines can be equipped with solid- or split-drum designs to best fit your needs.

The exclusive split-drum design delivers excellent mat quality in urban environments and confined working areas where frequent turning is required. The split-drum rollers prevent tearing because the outside drum half rotates faster than the inside half, enabling turning and eliminating “pushing” of fresh asphalt.

The solid drum offers expanded vibratory choices to match amplitude and frequency requirements. This drum design performs well in high-production street and highway applications.

Multiple applications
The CB44B and CD44B tandem vibratory rollers compete in the 7 to 10 metric-ton (7.7 to 11 U.S.-ton) size class, while the CB54B and CD54B compete in the 8 to 11.3 metric-ton (8.8 to 12.5 U.S.-ton) class. The Cat engines are Tier 4 Interim.

The rollers are well suited to all types of mix designs and applications. They provide high variation of amplitudes for breakdown and intermediate work, while their high static linear loads deliver excellent results for finishing work. Typical applications include highways, city streets, county roads, lane additions, industrial sites, overlays, airport runways, and other production-sized paving jobs.

Keeping operators productive
Working in unfavorable conditions is typical in the paving business, but the cab and operating station help keep operators comfortable and therefore productive. Full floor-to-ceiling glass enables good sight lines to the drum edges, drum surfaces, and both sides of the machine.

Visibility and comfort are enhanced by the standard 180-degree seating and optional 360-degree positioning. New hand wheel steering technology eliminated the front steering console, enabling the operator to easily monitor water spray performance. An LCD display and push-button controls simplify operation for an all-around comfortable operating environment

Smooth, maneuverable
The CB44B and CB54B models feature a newly designed centre-articulating hitch with 6 degrees of oscillation that ensures mat contact and a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. An offset option of up to 170 mm (6 inches) extends coverage and simplifies control next to obstacles.

The CB44B is equipped with 1.5 m (4-foot 9-inch) drums and utilizes the Cat C3.4B engine rated at 75 kW (100 hp). The CB54B utilizes 1.7 m (5-foot 5-inch) drums and features a larger C4.4 engine rated at 98 kW (131 hp). The smooth operating powertrain comes standard with Eco mode and automatic speed control, saving fuel, reducing sound levels, and lowering operating costs.

The CD44B and CD54B rollers feature front and rear-pivoting drums and four steering modes for excellent maneuverability and smoother performance when turning. The four steering modes include front drum only, rear drum only, coordinated, and crab operation.

The CD44B is equipped with 1.5 m (4-foot 9-inch) drums and, when utilizing the wide 1.3 m (4-foot 3-inch) offset feature, provides a total compaction width of 2.8 m (9 feet 3 inches) for excellent jobsite coverage. The CD54B utilizes 1.7 m (5-foot 5-inch) drums and when fully offset delivers a total compaction width of 3 m (9 feet 10 inches). Both machines are powered by the Cat C3.4B engine that produces 75 kW (100 hp) of power.

Versa Vibe
The B-Series tandem rollers offer a variety of vibratory options including dual amplitude, dual frequency, Versa Vibe, and five amplitude systems. Dual amplitude and dual frequency can be tailored to thick and thin lift applications. A single switch automatically matches amplitude and frequency to keep pace with the paver.

The Versa Vibe system creates a 2-in-1 machine with four amplitudes and two frequencies. This versatile system provides two settings for lighter hitting and higher working speeds on thin lifts; and two settings for heavier hitting, and slower speeds, on thick lifts or those with challenging mixes. The five-amplitude system offers the widest range of amplitudes with a single frequency. This system is a heavy hitter, with more options that help fine-tune compaction performance on thick lifts. The system also works well on tough-to-compact mix designs that consist of large aggregate and low levels of filler and binder.

The high-capacity water spray systems are designed with dual pumps, triple filtration, adjustable intermittent operation, and an optional freeze protection kit.

If you are after the Best Lifetime Value, the new Eco Mode feature conserves fuel and reduces sound levels for a more comfortable operating environment. These rollers also utilize oil-bath lubrication of the eccentric weight bearings that lengthen service intervals.