Cat® 390D L Delivers Stronger Performance, Rugged Durability, More Operator Amenities and Improved Serviceability

The new 90-metric-ton Cat® 390D L hydraulic excavator, which replaces the 385C L, incorporates a refined design that provides greater hydraulic power, stronger structural components, added safety and convenience features, plus improved serviceability. The net result is a more productive, more durable, more efficient machine that is comfortable to operate and can take on the toughest jobs in a range of heavy construction and mining applications.

Engine and hydraulics:
Powering the new 390D L is the 18.1-liter Cat C18 ACERT® diesel engine, which is EU Stage IIIA and U.S. EPA Tier 3 compliant and rated at 523 net horsepower (390 kW). The C18 features advanced electronic control, precise fuel delivery and refined air management for optimum performance, fuel efficiency and emissions control. The engine's torque characteristics allow full power at maximum rpm, resulting in efficient hydraulic pump operation and positive hydraulic response. Refinements in the crankcase, cylinder heads and proprietary MEUI (Mechanical Electronic Unit Injector) fuel system provide enhanced performance and durability for the C18.

Design enhancements in the 390D L's implement hydraulic system allow the new model to deliver significantly greater digging and lifting forces than its 385C predecessor. Main relief pressure in the new model's implement circuits has been increased to 35 000 kPa, up nearly 10 percent from that of the 385C. This increase in operating pressure results in 9% digging force increase. Increased breakout force promotes faster trenching and loading cycles plus stronger performance at the quarry face. In addition, lifting capacity over the end is increased by 14 percent with over-the-side capacity up nearly 14 percent–the result of stronger hydraulics and a heavier counterweight.

Also new in the 390D L's implement hydraulic circuits are electrically controlled regeneration valves, which assure rapid, positive response from the boom and digging arm cylinders while also significantly improving overall hydraulic efficiency. The resulting benefits include quicker cycle times and estimated fuel savings of more than 2 percent.

A universal quick-coupler circuit is available for factory installation and is compatible with both dedicated and pin-grabber-type couplers. The system features an offset lifting eye and easy-to-use controls.

Structures and undercarriage:
An improved undercarriage for the 390D L features redesigned links that operate with lower stress, forged idlers for improved durability and heavy-duty track rollers and carrier rollers. In addition, the recoil spring has been lengthened, giving the recoil mechanism greater impact-absorbing capability to protect the undercarriage system from shock loads.

To accommodate the higher digging and lifting forces generated by the 390D L, the carbody (the structure mounting the machine upper to the track assemblies) is fabricated with thicker reinforcing plates at critical locations. Complementing this change are thicker plates at the boom-foot mounting in the upper frame as well as thicker reinforcing plates in the rails and bottom pan to accommodate the heavier counterweight.

The counterweight weighs 12,4 tonnes, making it slightly more than 6 percent heavier than the 385C's counterweight.

Booms and digging arms also are stronger, the result of thicker material used in their fabrication and an improved welding process. To assure continuous welds, with no craters at the start and stop of the weld pass that can induce stress, "runoff " tabs are first tacked at each end of the seam between plates being joined. When the weld is made, it begins on the first runoff tab, continues across the seam, and ends on the second runoff tab. The runoff tabs are then removed, leaving a consistent weld bead across the seam. When completely fabricated, booms and digging arms are placed in a heat-treat oven to relieve any welding-induced stress.

Operator comfort and convenience:
The 390D L's operator's station is spacious, quiet and comfortable with commanding visibility.

The cab is pressurized to keep out dust, and the filtered ventilation system combines with automatic climate control to maintain a constant, comfortable environment. The monitor provides full-color graphic displays with comprehensive machine information presented in either an English or ISO format.

The monitor provides fluid level checks when the engine is started, can list approaching service intervals and can display real-time fuel consumption information numerically. Flexible power modes–high power or economy–allow the operator to adjust machine performance to the task. Both modes provide the same digging forces, but the economy mode allows the machine to work with fuel-saving efficiency when production requirements are less critical.

For the operator's convenience, height of the control-lever consoles is adjustable, and the response and modulation of the electro-hydraulic joysticks can be adjusted through the monitor. The control-pattern changer, also accessible through the monitor, allows the operator to select preferred lever functions. In addition, the monitor displays images from the 390D L's optional rearview and Wide Area Vision System cameras, the latter mounted on the boom or side of the machine.

To diminish heat and noise in the cab, the hydraulic control valve, pumps and reservoir are positioned on the right side of the machine away from the operator's station. Standard halogen lights provide exceptional jobsite illumination but can be replaced with optional High Intensity Gas lights on the boom and upper cab if more illumination is required. Cab Lights are time delayed to allow safe exit from the machine at night. And to maintain good communication, the 390D L's cab is two-way radio ready

Service Improvements:
The 390D L uses an electric fuel priming pump, which simplifies filter changes. A dual-element air cleaner with a double radial seal is standard. All filters, except for the high-pressure fuel filter, are accessible from the left side of the machine. Service safety features include a 24-volt service light receptacle and wider, 500-mm walkways that provide sure-footed access to maintenance points.

To facilitate easier, environmentally sound routine maintenance, the 390D L is equipped with protected, valve-controlled fluid-drain ports and self-contained hoses for fuel, coolant and lubricant systems. Easy-to-change spinon filters are used in the fuel and lubricant systems, and pressurized fluid sampling ports (in all pressurized fluid circuits) assure reliable fluid samples. An electronic warning system alerts the operator if the air filter or hydraulic filter is approaching restriction limits.

The Electronic Power Control (EPC) has been relocated from the cab (its position in the 385C) to the 390D L's air cleaner compartment, allowing the cab floor to be washed without risk of damage to the EPC. For further reliability, the EPC and its electrical terminals are weather-proof.

390D L / 385C L Specification Comparison:

                                         385C L             390D L

Operating Weight, kg: 84 980             88 180

Engine Model:             C18 ATAAC        C18 ATAAC

Power, Net, hp (kW):   523 (390)         523 (390)

Main Relief, kPa:         32 000             35 000

Travel Speed, km/h:    4,5                   4,5

Max. Lift Capacity*

End, kg:                      24 820              28 250

Side, kg:                     24 820              28 250

* At 6,1-m radius, 6,1-m depth, w/10-m boom, 4,4-m digging arm and 900-mm shoes

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