I am displaying a Cat 385C being hauled without being broken down. I think the real operating weight for the Cat is between 185,000 and 190,000 lbs. I can configure a truck and trailer, American style KW or Pete, as follows. A quad axle KW gives me three axles of carrying weight. Behind that, I can put a two axle jeep. That gives me 5 axles up front. I can then put a three axle lowboy with a fourth axle flip, or a stinger with one axle. That gives me a total of 9 axles. Figuring 20k lbs per axle, that's only 180k. If I change it around and do a 6x4 KW, a two axle jeep, followed by another two axle jeep, then the four axle in the rear, that gives me 6 axles up front, and four at the back. Now I have 10 axles or roughly 200k carrying capacity. This configuration is based on the available diecast trucks and trailers in the market. My question is #1 Is is feasible in real life to have a 6 and four combo to carry the 385c, or do you have to do an equal distribution of the weight over a balanced 5 and five axle spread? In other words, can you have two, two axle jeeps in a row? I don't know how to get 5 axles at the rear using any diecast trailer except the Corgi King 5 axle lowloader. I just want to know how to haul the CAT 385 whole using the mass produced toys available, no custom parts. Any of this make sense? CAW

In Pa it's a no go that I am aware of too. Needs broken down here as well.

As far as I know, transporting a whole 385 is not legal here either (even with our "crazy cozad trailers" )
Anyway, I took a look in my folder of arizona heavy haulage photos (none of which are mine, unfortunately) and found these photos of some pretty big hoes being moved.

Pretty low quality, but looks like a whole cat 245

The info attached to this photo says that this is the undercarriage of a mining excavator.

I think this is a hitachi EX1800. Taken pretty well apart, but count the axle lines.

Old komatsu pc1100, sans counterweight and stick

EX800, same-ish weight to a 385, complete.

Ex1200, no boom or counterweight

390DL, No counterweight or stick
And just for good measure, a bonus photo of a cat d11t being moved by PHH's custom dolly's and beam trailer.

So, to answer your question CAW, I'm pretty sure your display wont work. One thing I did notice was that you didn't account for the weight of the truck or trailer.
Hope you enjoy the photos.

---

-Adam

The standard operating weight for a 385C is 187360 pounds, it really wouldn't take much to remove the stick/bucket. Although i wouldn't have the heart to do that on a CCM piece!

---

Patrick

Craig. You would need 19 axles to move it. The closest you will come is Swords Nelson 3+3+3 which is good for about 170-175,000 lbs. Ken

After taking the weight of the general purpose stick and the heaviest standard bucket in the Caterpillar spec sheet, i can tell you that without the stick and bucket, the machine would weigh in at 168,251 pounds woth the counterweight still attached. I'm not sure how Ken came up with how many axles you would need, but if we figure 20K pounds per axle, you would need 9 to move it. That would only account for the trailer axles, and not the truck! Hope that helps abit. If you did want to display it broken down, all you would need to do is drill out the two pins that hold the stick to the boom, and the cylinder above it.

---

Patrick

CAW. THAT would give the DOT boys a heart attack.:d/

You have to include the empty weight of the tractor trailer. 170,000 plus 85,000 empty weight - 255,000. With 15000 on the steer, and 20k on the rest, 13 axles. That being said, you would have to load it perfect to the pound as you have no wiggle room. But, for the model world, the Nelson set up would be as close as you could get. Ken

Interesting conversation. I have been wondering how much of a load I could put on my models and keep them prototypical. Last week a lowboy showed up a work with a huge forklift, so I asked the driver and he told me that I could load up to 16k per axle. And that seems to be in line with what is being said hear.

When the company I work for had their 385 b LME, with the counterweight, boom, stick, bucket, catwalks off, and an empty fuel tank it still took a 4 axle truck pulling a 2x2x2 to haul it legally here in PA. They are a heavy mofo, but in a cabinet, it's really up to you.

---

regards,
Jim


"Once again, concussion by safety" -Mike Rowe