Caterpillar is introducing a new twin-turbo, 173-horsepower (129 kW) option for the Cat C3.6 diesel engine engineered for small- to medium-sized construction equipmentAnnounced at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 event this week, it offers a 21% increase in power over Caterpillar’s current lineup of 3.6-litre engines meeting US EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage V emission standards.The 173-hp C3.6 achieves the higher power rating through an upgraded combustion system and reinforced core components, improving machine performance through higher torque, greater uptime, and lower total operating costs without increasing size or complexity.Also at the event, the company will showcase the 74 hp Cat C2.2 engine, the power-dense 690 hp C13D engine under development, the 800 hp C18 series-turbocharged engine, and a remanufactured C7 highlighting the advantages of restoring old components to like-new performance.“As the construction landscape changes, our extensive portfolio of solutions and expertise, from full-fleet jobsites through to a full range of optimised diesel engines, will help solve our customers toughest challenges,” said Steve Ferguson, senior vice-president of Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems.CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 marks the first showing of the new up to 173 hp (129 kW) high horsepower diesel engine, the latest addition to the C3.6 range, which also includes 74 hp (55 kW) and 142 hp (106 kW) ratings.To meet customers’ ongoing needs for higher power density power systems, which boost machine capability without increasing size or complexity, the twin-turbo C3.6 has been designed to deliver higher torque, greater uptime, and lower total operating costs for a range of equipment including wheel excavators, dumper trucks, soil compactors, backhoe loaders, asphalt pavers and telehandlers.To achieve up to 173 hp (129 kW) and 546 lb ft (740 Nm) at 1500 rpm of power density from the proven 3.6 litre, four-cylinder platform, engineers have upgraded the combustion system to achieve maximum power and efficiency and have strengthened many core components.The new offering offers end users up to 1000-hour oil and fuel filter intervals and gives customers greater fuel flexibility, as the engine is compatible with B20 biodiesel, 100% HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), and other sustainable fuels.The high horsepower variant has been designed for low fluid consumption while delivering the required power across high, medium and low load operations.With a transparent, maintenance free after-treatment system with no downtime, the engine is set to deliver serious power in a compact footprint for a wide range of OEMs whose equipment is the bedrock of construction sites around the world, according to Ferguson.“The customer requirement for high power density to boost machine capability without increasing engine size or complexity has driven the launch of this new high horsepower C3.6 and the C13D which we unveiled at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023,” he said.“Given that internal combustion engines remain the dominant power solution across global jobsites; we continue to strategically invest in advanced diesel engine technologies that help customers tackle their daily challenges.”The Caterpillar booth features the C13D diesel engine platform, designed to achieve best-in-class power density, torque and fuel efficiency for optimising the performance of heavy duty off-highway applications, including rock crushers, screeners, and grinders; trenchers; agriculture tractors, harvesters and self-propelled sprayers; woodchippers; material-handling equipment; and large industrial pumps.For customers considering a range of power solutions for their equipment, the booth also features a C9.3B fitted with a diesel-electric power unit.Read more:
Cat launches new diesel options for construction equipment
Cat expands diesel power options for construction machinery. (Image source: Caterpillar)
