Caterpillar Repowers Army Corps of Engineers Dredge Wheeler

For Worldwide Release: October 2013
Release Number: M10PR13

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems is pleased to announce the successful repower and commissioning of the Dredge Wheeler with a fully integrated Cat® solution. The largest hopper dredge in the Corps of Engineers fleet, the Dredge Wheeler features 2x Cat C280-16 marine engines rated at 4600 bkW @ 900 rpm for propulsion. Additionally the vessel features 2x Cat 280-12 propulsion engines rated at 3700 bkW @ 1000 rpm to operate the variable speed dredge generators.  The Wheeler is based out of the New Orleans District and primarily operates in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River and has been in operation since 1982.

“The Army Corps of Engineers has been a long-standing Caterpillar customer and we’re pleased to continue to build on our strong track record,” Tim Booth, Caterpillar Defense and Federal Products Marine Program Manager said. “In addition to providing a fully integrated package with components at a great value, we were also able to offer installation support and technical design services during the planning and installation stages of the repower.”

Manufactured in Lafayette, Indiana, Cat C280 engines incorporate 30 years of proven component  reliability and durability from the legendary Cat 3600 platform series with a sophisticated, yet well-proven, modern electronic fuel injection system. Cat C280 marine engines are available in continuous and maximum continuous ratings at 900 and 1000 rpm and in 6, 8, 12, and 16 cylinder configurations The advanced ADEM™ A3 electronic control system enables the C280 engines to work smarter and harder. The rugged and durable C280 engines provide customers with low owning and operating costs, with overhaul intervals running as long as 40,000 hours.

“A key deliverable of the C280 engines is the efficiency and maintenance cost savings they provide the Wheeler as an EPA Tier 2 compliant power solution in an ideal power node,” Booth noted.

Customers interested in learning about our fuel efficient power solutions for the commercial marine market should visit the Caterpillar booth (#2802, 2902) at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 9th -  11th. For up to the minute updates at the show, please follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/catmarineglobal and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caterpillarmarine using #catatwbs. Unable to make the show? Learn more about comprehensive Cat offerings at www.marine.cat.com.

Image 1

Image 2

# # #

About Caterpillar Marine Power Systems
Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK™ marine engines within Caterpillar Inc. The organisation provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,800 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 16,100 eKW in marine generator sets. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are. More information is available at: MARINE.CAT.COM/pr

About Caterpillar
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2012 sales and revenues of $65.875 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, clean diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. More information is available at www.cat.com.

Press Inquiries
Jenna Janik Marcoux
Phone: +1 713 895 1449
Janik_Jenna_E@cat.com

alt alt