Product Improvements 797

Product Improvements

Caterpillar introduced the replacement for the 797, the 797B, in spring of 2002. Caterpillar increased the power output of the Cat 3524B engine to cope with the 797B's higher payload capacity of up to 380 short tons (345 t), a 20 short tons (18 t) improvement over the 797. The first 797B units entered service with customers in October, 2002. Caterpillar introduced the latest 797 model, the 797F, at MINExpo International in September, 2008, and when it goes in to full production in late 2009, the 797F will replace the 797B. The 797F comes equipped with a new, more powerful and more efficient Cat C175-20 engine and an increased payload capacity of up to 400 short tons (363 t).