Caterpillar Product Information

Competitive Bulletin
April 2007

Caterpillar ACERT™
vs. Volvo V-ACT
Tier 3 Engines

For Dealer Sales Personnel

Competitive Information

This analysis is designed to provide an understanding of Volvo’s Tier 3/Stage III technology branded
V-ACT. V-ACT is used in the medium-duty and heavy-duty machine engines in wheel loaders, excavators,
and articulated trucks. V-ACT is an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology designed to optimize
combustion efficiency.
Initial testing compared the Volvo A40 and Cat 740 articulated trucks at the machine level. From this
evaluation, two performance reports were written. One covers short haul (TEXR0424) and the other
long haul (TEXR0425). Both are available in the Cat Electronic Sales Library.
https://cds.cat.com/multimedia2.nsf/$$FullTextSearch
After machine-level testing, the D12D engine was removed from the A40 and transported to the Caterpillar
Technical Center in Mossville, IL (USA). Tech Center engineers develop new Cat engines and test
competitive engines. The facility is equipped with precise measuring equipment to evaluate all aspects
of engine performance, e.g.,

• Fuel consumption
• Heat rejection
• Cold starting
• Smoke

Caterpillar has a history of providing differentiated solutions that offer low operating costs without
compromising performance, reliability or durability. Evaluations and comparisons of competitive
offerings are used to evaluate the company’s position in the marketplace. This in-depth evaluation
of Volvo’s latest off-road engine technology is part of the effort. The results show how Cat and Volvo
engines compare in those areas customers deem important.

This document summarizes the evaluation of the D12D and makes comparisons to the Cat C13 and C15.
Most comparisons are with the C15 because it is the corresponding engine in the 40-ton class of
articulated trucks.
Project Charter – Scope

In Scope:

Part-throttle curves Lug curves Altitude capability

Cold-start capability End-of-injection timing Oil degradation
Heat rejection summary Comparison of D12 and C15 Sound measurement
Emissions strategy and capability Fuel consumption contours Constant speed load acceptance

2 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines April 2007

 Competitive Information

Summary – Cat C15 vs. Volvo D12D

Volvo D12D C15

Engine Displacement Liters 12.10 15.20
Emissions Technology Internal EGR ACERT
Gross Engine Power @ Rated kW (hp) 321 (430) 341 (457)
Rated Engine Speed rpm 1,800 1,700
Rated BSFC g/kW-hr (lb/hp-hr) 217.99 (358) 207.4 (341)
Rated BMEP kPa (psi) 1781.1 (258.3) 1585 (225.9)
Rated Torque Nm (lb-ft) 1715 (1,264.9) 1915.48 (1,412.8)
Gross Engine Power @ Peak Torque kW (hp) 272 (364) 303.1 (406)
Peak Torque Speed rpm 1,150 1,200
Peak Torque BSFC g/kW-hr (lb/hp-hr) 202.2 (332) 217.7 (358)
Peak Torque BMEP kPa (psi) 2231.83 (323.7) 1994.08 (289.2)

April 2007 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines 3

Competitive Information

BSFC Comparison – C15 vs. D12D

2400

2200

2000
Y Torque (Nm)

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Engine Speed (rpm)

Volvo Advantage Cat

Results:
• At rated conditions, Cat BSFC is 10 percent better than Volvo (1,800 rpm @ full load).
• On the lug curve, Cat BSFC is better in regions between NoX linearity rpm (1,500) and rated rpm
(1,800) at peak and 75-percent loads.
• Cat BSFC is better at an average of 11 percent in the overrun region of the curve.
Comment: Cat data here pertains to gears 1-6 rating (Other ratings being 90 percent and 95 percent
economy mode)

4 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines April 2007

 Competitive Information

Heat Rejection Comparison – C15 vs. D12D

C15Caterpillar
ACERT 740 Volvo D12D
A T A A C H e a t R e je c tio n C o n to u r 1 2 L V o lv o

2000 20 80 90
60
0 0 70 90
2400 50
30 50 90
0
2200 40 10 1800
20
30 0
40
100
30 60
2000 20 50 50
60 1600 40 50 80
20 90
70
Torque (Nm)

Torque (Nm)
1800 40 60 10 40
1400 30
30 80
1600 10 60
50
1200 50
1400
10 20 30 10
70
40 60 20 30
1200 1000 40
50
20 60
1000 20
10 800
40 30 30 50
20
20 10 10 20
800
800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

Engine Speed (rpm) Speed (rpm)

Aftercooler Heat Rejection (kW) ATAAC Heat Rejection (kW)

Results:
• At peak torque, Cat ATAAC HR is lower than Volvo by 20 percent.
• At rated conditions, (1,800 rpm) Cat ATAAC HR is lower than Volvo by 35 percent.
• In overrun regions, Cat ATAAC HR is 30 percent lower than Volvo on average.
• In NoX linearity regions, Cat ATAAC HR is 7 percent lower than Volvo on average.
Energy is expended by:
• Power output
• Exhaust
• Parasitic loads
• Released into the cooling system (heat rejection)
The amount of heat rejected into the engine’s cooling system affects the engine’s fuel efficiency because
the energy in heat rejection is not utilized for combustion. Thus, for similarly rated products, engines
with higher heat rejection are less fuel efficient than engines with lower heat rejection.

April 2007 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines 5

Competitive Information

Soot Loading Evaluation – C15 vs. D12D

Volvo D12D soot loading of oil at rated conditions:
• Two points near rated show 43 percent increase with IEGR active

Event Name Oil Soot/EGR Off Oil Soot/EGR Off Oil Soot/EGR On Oil Soot/EGR On
Event Comment rpm 1900 1800 1800 1900
BTSA Percent Soot % 0.291562 0.29493 0.299672 0.30536
BTSA Soot Rate %/hr 0.00316728 0.00218133 0.00399906 0.00542836

Cat baseline data:

• C15 in a 740D has an end of injection of 24 degrees Rated /SSM1

and has a soot rate of 0.001%/hr at rated 0.0070

0.0060

0.0050
Soot Rate (%)
0.0040

0.0030

0.0020

0.0010

0.0000

25 30 35 40

EOI

The engine’s soot accumulation rate is important because soot is a known abrasive. Minimizing soot
minimizes wear. So, how do the engines compare in soot accumulation? D12D soot accumulation rate
is three times greater than the C15 when the EGR is off and 5.5 times greater than the C15 when the
EGR is on.

6 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines April 2007

 Competitive Information

Oil Degradation and Metal in Oil

C15 Articlulated Truck Engine vs. D12D D12D Fe

Cat C15 Fe-500 hrs
Cat C15 Fe-250 hrs
Linear (D12D Fe)
70

63 ppm Volvo at
60 500 hrs

The wear metal ppm level in

Volvo D12D is 57.5% higher
50
than that of Cat C15 at 500 hrs
Wear metal, Fe in ppm

oil life.
31 ppm
Volvo at 250 hrs 40 ppm
40
The wear metal ppm level in Cat at 500 hrs
Volvo D12D is 41% higher
than that of Cat C15 at 250 hrs
30 oil life.

22 ppm
Cat at 250 hrs
20

10

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Hours on Oil

Soot in lube oil wears the engine and iron particles accumulate (proof of wear). To minimize the effect
of soot, oil sump capacity must be increased and/or intervals between engine oil and filter changes
lowered (i.e., fewer hours). The 100-percent soot level was reached on the D12D at 313 hours (and
120 percent at 410 hours). The C15 does not use EGR technology and less soot accumulation occurs.
Cat engines with ACERT Technology retain their Tier 2 500-hour maintenance intervals in normal applications.

April 2007 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines 7

Competitive Information

Cold Start Analysis

Performance at –9C
Performance at –18C
120
120

100
100

80
80
Time (Sec)

Volvo D12D Volvo D12D

Time (Sec)
60 Cat C13 ACERT
Cat C13 ACERT 60
Cat C15 ACERT Cat C15 ACERT, No Aid
Cat C15 ACERT, Ether

40
40

20
20

0
0
Starter Engine 400 rpm Low Idle 40% Opacity 10% Opacity 5% Opacity Starter Engine 400 rpm Low Idle 40% Opacity 10% Opacity 5% Opacity

Performance at –26C Performance at –32C

120
140

100 120

100
80

80
Time (Sec)

Volvo D12D
Time (Sec)

Volvo D12D
60 Cat C13 ACERT Cat C13 ACERT
Cat C15 ACERT Cat C15 ACERT
60

40
40

20
20

0 0
Starter Engine 400 rpm Low Idle 40% Opacity 10% Opacity 5% Opacity Starter Engine 400 rpm Low Idle 40% Opacity 10% Opacity 5% Opacity

Cold-start measurements of the C13, C15 and D12D show a clear advantage for ACERT Technology,
both in terms of how quickly the engines start and how soon they run cleanly, i.e., without smoke.
Customers value the ability of an engine to start at low temperatures without aid and then run cleanly.
The presence of smoke can attract negative comments about the project or contractor.
Testing shows the C15 outperformed the D12D in fuel consumption, heat rejection and soot loading.
The C15 also took longer to degrade oil, which is important in preventing wear. These results, accompanied
with better cold-start ability, give the C15 a significant overall advantage.
V-ACT technology was developed in the D12, which is precisely why it was chosen for testing. Caterpillar
feels that tests of other Volvo engines with V-ACT technology would produce similar results. These results,
which convey a significant advantage, only help to strengthen the ACERT brand.

8 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines April 2007

 Notes

April 2007 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines 9

Notes

10 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines April 2007

 Notes

April 2007 Caterpillar ACERT vs. Volvo V-ACT Tier 3 Engines 11

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.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, ACERT, ADEM, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity
used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

TEJB9312
April 2007
www.cat.com

© 2007 Caterpillar
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the U.S.A.