New Cat 3412E Offers More Power

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division offers a new totally electronic 3412E marine diesel engine with ratings from 530-1,400 bhp for commercial marine application. When compared to previous Cat 3412C engines, the 3412E has more horsepower, improved emissions control and dramatically enhanced midrange performance, with faster acceleration, more available power and torque and improved cruising characteristics. Superior reserve power allows the engine to respond quickly to increased load caused by adverse conditions such as swift currents, loaded nets and hard turns. Test engines rated 624 bhp at 1,800 rpm have shown excellent results in two 70 ft. (21.3 m) twin-screw inland waterway tow boats. Compared to previous performance with 600 bhp two-cycle engines, Tabor Marine's Becky Ann is making better trip times. On a hard shove in strong current, the vessel is now able to maintain speed where she used to bog down. Canton Marine's Sir Randy J, previously powered by Cat 3412Cs rated 425 bhp at 1,200 rpm, is now running faster with better fuel mileage. More power, better handling characteristics, less smoke and access to accurate fuel use and engine operating information were all cited as improvements. There was also no increase in vibration despite increased engine speed. The 3412E uses the same strong 27-liter displacement, 12 cylinder vee, four-stroke-cycle diesel configuration as the popular 3412C. Significant changes include completely new electronic control and fuel systems, fuel rail pressure and timing. A new electronic control module (ECM) is used on the 3412E, and software was completely rewritten with new software control maps developed for power and torque limits, air-to-fuel ratio control, fuel rail pressure and timing.