Caterpillar Product Information

Salesgram
March 1999

Michelin 44/80R57
Tires for Caterpillar
793C Mining Trucks

Michelin and Caterpillar have joined forces to offer customers a

product which can help reduce their operating costs by up to 20%
in many applications. This savings can amount to as much as 3%
on a cost-per-ton basis for some operations (an Excel spreadsheet
NPV financial model to help users evaluate site specific feasibility
is available from the subsidiary contacts listed at the end of this
document). The combination of Michelin low pressure tire
technology, and a Caterpillar designed 793C adapter kit to correctly
distribute loads, provides users with a system that works together
to reduce tire costs without a reduction in component life.
Michelins North American earthmover group leads the industry in
the research and development of technically advanced radial tires.
Michelins new 80 Series tire, specifically the 44/80R57 XKD1
tire developed for the 243.8 metric tons (240 ton) size class
Cat 793 mining truck, incorporates the latest developments in low
profile, low pressure, earthmover tire technology. Under the same

For Dealer Sales Personnel

www.CAT.com

loads as the standard 40.00R57 tire, Michelin 80 series tires

operate at pressures 15-20 percent lower providing users with
superior resistance to cuts and punctures, excellent gradeability
and handling characteristics. Proven through extensive mine testing,
this tire and the associated conversion kit, have accumulated over
100,000 hours of operation.
This same technology has recently been made available to small
and medium sized wheel loaders (Michelin 70 Series), and for the
new 365.8 metric tons (360 ton) Caterpillar 797 mining truck
(Michelin 55/80R63). Caterpillar offers end users the ability to
use Michelin 80 series tires on new 793 trucks shipping from the
factory or on a retrofit basis. To fit the 812.8 mm (32") rims and
Michelin 44/80R57 tires onto an existing 793 truck and keep the
load balanced on the wheel bearings, Caterpillar has designed a
machine retrofit upgrade kit (Fit-Up Iron) available in kit form
for retrofit users. This kit includes the appropriate spacers, axle
shafts, hydraulic extension tubes, bolts, rims and all associated
parts required to mount 80 series tires on 793 B or C model trucks.
This same iron is also used in factory installed arrangements.

80 Series Tires for New

793C Truck Orders

Cat dealers can now order new 793C trucks configured to run
Michelin 80 Series tires direct from the factory as per standard
procedures. The reference number to do this is 173-6978 with
product available to ship on an ex-factory basis within 90 days
of receipt of a firm order. This reference number includes fit-up
iron and rims (6) and carries with it an ex-factory SCL price of
35,000 USD. This price reflects the differences between standard
product removed and the additional 80 series iron and rims installed.
44/80R57 tires must be ordered directly by the customer from their
local Michelin distributor.
Both fit-up iron and rims are being offered to end users at a
friendly package price and no individual components will be
sold independently.

To adapt existing Cat 793B and 793C trucks to run Michelin

80 Series tires, Cat dealers can place an FDO order through the
parts distribution system for the fit-up iron and rims (6) retrofit kit,
reference no. 174-3162. Again the product will be available to ship
within 90 days receipt of a firm order. The kit package sales on an
ex-parts depot SCL basis for 76,931.41 USD. All retrofit kits will
be shipped with Special Instruction REHS0341 which outlines
parts shipping list and installation details.

80 Series Tires for Retrofit to

Cat 793B and 793C Trucks

44/80R57 tires must be ordered directly by the customer from

their local Michelin distributor.
Both fit-up iron and rims are being offered to end users at a
friendly package price and no individual components will be
sold independently.

Obviously, with Caterpillar supplying the machine retrofit upgrade

kits and Michelin the tires, there is a need for coordination between
the two organizations to make sure that the fit-up iron and the kit
arrive at approximately the same time. We strongly encourage
Cat dealers and local Michelin representatives to coordinate their
efforts in obtaining 80 Series tires/Iron appropriate contacts
to do this are listed below. For new machine orders, CMT will
communicate automatically with Michelin. When retrofit orders
are placed through dealer parts systems with Morton, please notify
CMT tire representative (217-475-5559) so shipments can be
coordinated with Michelin. A joint marketing piece is being
prepared for use as a customer point of sale piece it will be
available late March 1999.

Product Marketing

The 80 Series Caterpillar project coordinator is Dave Faber at

CMT, Decatur, IL (telephone 217-475-4751, fax 217-475-4669).
Please feel free to contact Matt with any comments or questions
you may have.
The 80 Series Michelin project coordinator is Bruce Besancon at
Michelin North Americas office in Greenville, South Carolina,
USA (telephone 864-458-5575, fax 864-458-4827). Bruce can
provide local Michelin contacts for your specific territory.
Contact List:
NACD Tom Klister (309-675-5616)
CACo Scott Osterfeld (309-674-1806)
CofA Rick Lethlean (03 9953-9224)
CSARL Cameron Ferguson (41 22 849-4406 )
CAPL Craig Jephson (65 662-8392)
3

The information contained herein is intended for circulation only to Caterpillar and dealer employees whose duties require knowledge of such reports and is
intended exclusively for their information and training. It may contain unverified analysis and facts observed by various Caterpillar or dealer employees. However,
effort has been made to provide reliable results regarding any information comparing Caterpillar built and competitive machines. Effort has been made to use the
latest available spec sheet and other material in the full understanding that these are subject to change without notice. Any reproduction of this release without
the foregoing explanation is prohibited.

TELQ3761
March 1999
www.CAT.com
1999 Caterpillar
Printed in U.S.A.