Milton CAT 312E User Manual

312E

Hydraulic Excavator

Engine Drive

Engine Model Cat
Net Power – SAE J1349 68 kW 91 hp Maximum Drawbar Pull 114 kN 25,628 lbf
Gross Power – SAE J1995 71 kW 95 hp Weight

®

C4.4 ACERT™ Maximum Travel Speed 5.5 km/h 3.4 mph

Minimum Operating Weight 13 500 kg 29,770 lb
Maximum Operating Weight 15 000 kg 33,080 lb

Introduction

Since its introduction in the 1990s, the 300 Series
family of excavators has become the industry
standard in general, quarry, and heavy construction
applications. The all-new E Series and the 312E
will continue that trend-setting standard.

The 312E meets today’s U.S. EPA Tier 4 Interim
emission standards. It is also built with several
new fuel-saving and comfort-enabling features
and bene ts that will delight owners and operators.

If you are looking for more productivity and
comfort, less fuel consumption and emissions,
andeasier and more sensible serviceability, you
will  nd it in the all-new 312E and the E Series
family of excavators.

Contents

Engine ...................................................................3

Operator Station..................................................4

Hydraulics ............................................................5

Structures & Undercarriage .............................6

Front Linkage .......................................................7

Work Tools ............................................................8

Integrated Technologies ..................................10

Serviceability .....................................................11

Safety ..................................................................12

Complete Customer Care.................................13

Sustainability .....................................................14

Speci cations ....................................................15

Standard Equipment.........................................31

Optional Equipment...........................................32

2

Engine

Reduced emissions, economical and reliable performance

Cat® C4.4 ACERT™ Engine

The Cat C4.4 ACERT engine delivers the same level of
performance using signicantly less fuel than the previous
series engine.

Emissions Solution

Equipped to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Interim emission standards,
the 312E’s C4.4 ACERT engine features an aftertreatment
regeneration solution that ensures the machine works as
normal with no operator intervention needed.

Biodiesel-Ready Fuel System

The C4.4 ACERT engine is equipped with an electronic­controlled high-pressure fuel system that includes an electric
priming pump and three-layer fuel hoses to allow the use
of biodiesel (meeting ASTM 6751 or EN 14214) up to B20
(biodiesel 20% mixture).

Cooling System

The cooling system features an air-to-air aftercooler
and A/C condenser that tilt up and swing out of the way
for easy servicing.

Speed and Power Control

The 312E features speed control to maximize performance
while minimizing fuel consumption. Two different power
modes are offered: high power mode when you need maximum
production; economy mode when you need performance
withthe lowest fuel consumption. The operator can easily
change between modes through the console switch panel
tomeet the needs for the job at hand – all to help manage
and conserve fuel.

3

Operator Station

Comfort and convenience to keep people productive

Seats

The seat range includes air suspension, heated, and air cooled
options. All seats include a reclining back, upper and lower
seat slide adjustments, and height and tilt angle adjustments
to meet operator needs for comfort and productivity.

Controls

The right and left joystick (1) consoles can be adjusted to
meet individual preferences, improving operator comfort and
productivity during the course of a day. With the touch of a
button, one-touch idle reduces engine speed to help save fuel;
touch it again or move the joystick and the machine returns
to normal operating level.

Monitor

The 312E is equipped with a 7" LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
monitor (2) that is 40% bigger than the previous model’s with
higher resolution for better visibility. In addition to an improved
keypad and added functionality, it’s programmable to provide
information in a choice of 44 languages to support today’s
diverse workforce.

1

An “Engine Idle Shutdown” setting accessible through the
monitor, allows owners and operators to specify how long
the machine should idle before shutting down the engine,
which can save signicant amounts of fuel.

The image of the rearview camera is displayed directly on the
monitor, which will help keep you focused on the job at hand.

Power Supply

Two 12-volt power supply sockets are located near key
storage areas for charging electronic devices such as an
MP3player and cell phone.

Storage

Storage spaces are located in the front, rear, and side consoles.

2

Adedicated space near the auxiliary power supply holds MP3
players and cell phones. The drink holder accommodates
large mugs with handles, and a shelf behind the seat stores
large lunch or toolboxes.

Automatic Climate Control

The climate control system features ve air outlets with
positive ltered ventilation, which makes working in the heat
and cold much more pleasant.

4

Hydraulics

Power to move more dirt, rock, and debris with speed and precision

Main Control Valve and Auxiliary Valves

The 312E uses a high-pressure system to tackle the toughest of work in short order. The machine features a highly ef cient
andsimple main control valve to improve fuel consumption; it also allows for greater tool versatility.

Electric Boom Regeneration System

The 312E regenerates the ow of oil from the head end of the boom cylinder to the rod end of the boom cylinder during a
boom down operation to save energy, which helps improve fuel efciency. It is optimized for any dial speed setting being used
bythe operator, which results in less pressure loss for higher controllability, more productivity, and lower operating costs.

5

Structures & Undercarriage

Built to work in rugged environments

Frame

The upper frame includes reinforced mountings to support
the Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) cab; the lower
frame is reinforced to increase component durability.

Undercarriage

Long undercarriage supports various work applications.
Thetrack rollers are a double solid-pin-type design to
improve reliability compared to the single solid-pin-type
design. A segmented two-piece guiding guard is now offered
to help maintain track alignment and improve performance
in multiple applications.

Counterweight

Built with an integrated rearview camera housing, the
counterweight comes with integrated links toenable easy
removal for maintenance or shipping.

6

Front Linkage

Made for high stress and long service life

Booms and Sticks

The 312E is offered with a reach boom and three stick congurations: R2.5 m (8'2"), R2.8 m (9'2"), and R3.0 m (9'10").
Also,anew thumb-ready stick with factory brackets and structural reinforcement to attach a Cat hydraulic thumb to the
machine is an available option. Each boom and stick is built with internal bafe plates for added durability, and each undergoes
ultrasound inspection to ensure weld quality and reliability.

Reach conguration balances digging force and bucket capacity. It covers all applications this size of machine was designed
totake on such as digging, loading, trenching, and working with hydraulic tools.

Large box-section structures with thick, multi-plate fabrications, castings, and forgings are used in high-stress areas such as the
boom nose, boom foot, boom cylinder, and stick foot to improve durability. Also, the front linkage pins’ inner bearing surfaces
are welded with a self-lubricated bearing used to extend service intervals and increase uptime.

7

Work Tools

Dig, hammer, rip, and cut with condence

An extensive range of Cat Work Tools for the 312E includes
buckets, compactors, grapples, scrap and demolition shears,
hammers and thumbs. Each is designed to optimize the
versatility and performance of your machine.

Quick Couplers

Quick couplers allow one person to change work tools in
seconds for maximum performance and exibility on a job
site. One machine can move rapidly from task to task, and
a eet of similarly equipped machines can share a common
work tool inventory.

Cat Center-Lock™ Pin Grabber Coupler

Center-Lock is the pin grabber style of coupler featuring a
patented locking system. A highly visible lock clearly shows
the operator when the coupler is engaged or disengaged from
the bucket or work tool.

Buckets

Cat buckets are designed as an integral part of the 312E
system and feature new geometry for better performance.
The leading edge has been repositioned, resulting in
moreef cient lling and better operator control for greatly
improved productivity. Greater wear coverage in the corners,
greater side cutter and sidebar protector coverage, and a
new lift eye design are features of Next Generation buckets.
Allbenets are captured in a new bucket line with a new
bucket naming convention.

8

Durability Categories Suitable for Any Situation

Caterpillar offers standard bucket categories for excavators.
Each category is based on intended bucket durability
whenused in recommended applications and materials.
Eachbucket durability is available as pin-on or can be
usedwith a quick coupler.

General Duty (GD)

GD buckets are for digging in low-impact, low-abrasion
material such as dirt, loam, and mixed compositions
of dirt and  ne gravel.

Severe Duty (SD)

SD buckets are for higher abrasion conditions such as
wellshot granite and caliche. Red area on bucket image
illustrates additional protection against wear as compared
toa GD bucket.

Specialty Buckets

In addition to standard bucket categories, specialty bucket
styles are available for the 312E, each with a different purpose:

• Ditch Cleaning and Tilt buckets are for cleaning ditches,

slopegrading, and other  nish work.

• Wide Tip buckets are for low impact material

whereleaving asmoother oor and minimal
spillagearenecessary.

1

1) General Duty 2) Severe Duty

2

Hydraulic Kits

Caterpillar offers eld-installed hydraulic kits that are uniquely
designed to integrate Cat Work Tool attachments with Cat
excavators. Hoses and tubes are pre-made, pre-shaped, and
pre-painted to make installation quick and easy.

Comprehensive Product Support

All Cat Work Tools are backed up by a world-wide network
of well-stocked parts depots and highly experienced service
and support personnel.

9

Integrated Technologies

1

Solutions that make work easier and more efcient

Cat® Grade Control Depth and Slope

This optional system combines traditional machine control and
guidance with standard factory-installed and calibrated components,
making the system ready to go to work the moment it leaves the factory.
The system utilizes internal front linkage sensors – well protected from
the harsh working environment – to give operators real-time bucket
tip position information through the cab monitor (1), which minimizes
the need and cost for traditional grade checking and enhances job site
safety. It also helps the operator complete jobs in fewer cycles, which
means less fuel use. Cat dealers can upgrade the system to full three­dimensional control by adding proven Cat AccuGrade™ positioning
technologies, including GPS and Universal Total Station (UTS).

Cat Product Link

This optional system is deeply integrated into the machine monitoring
system and is designed to help customers improve their overall  eet
management effectiveness. Events and diagnostic codes as well as hours,
fuel consumption, idle time, machine location, and other detailed
information are transmitted to a secure web based application (2 and 3)
called VisionLink™, which uses powerful tools to communicate to users
anddealers.

2

10

3

Serviceability

Fast, easy and safe access built in

Service Doors

Wide service doors feature sturdier hinges and latches
andanew screen design to help prevent debris entry;
aone-piece hood (1) provides easier access to the engine
andcooling compartments.

Compartments

The radiator (2), pump (3), and air cleaner compartments
provideeasy access to major components. The fresh air
lteris located on the side of the cab to make it easy
to reach and replace as needed.

Other Service Benets

The water separator with water level sensor has a primary
fuel lter element located in the pump compartment near
ground level; the electric priming pump is mounted before
the primary lter base and is easy to service compared to
atraditional hand-priming pump.

The fuel tank features a remote drain cock located in the
pump compartment to make it easy to remove water and
sediment during maintenance.

The engine oil check gauge is situated in front of the engine
compartment for easy access, and a uniquely designed drain
cock helps prevent spills.

1

2

3

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