PL87

Pipelayer

Cat® Pipelayers have been the standard of the pipeline industry

for decades. A worldwide network of Cat dealers, in tune
with the special high production needs of pipeliners, supports
these durable and dependable machines. Cat Pipelayers
are purpose-built to meet the unique demands of pipeline
customers. And like every Cat machine, pipelayers are
designed for long life, serviceability and rebuild capability to
help keep owning and operating costs low. The PL87 answers
customer needs for increased lift capacity, enhanced slope
capability, ease of operation, performance and transportability.

Performance Operator Interface

Improved hydraulics offer greater response and more precise New control handle puts boom and hook functions in the
control. New heavy duty winch works with updated hydraulic operator’s right hand. Enclosed cab option aids operator
system for greater machine productivity. comfort and offers outstanding visibility. New dual brake
pedals enhance machine control, especially on slopes and
Slope Capability for turning within a tight pipeline right-of-way.
Lengthened track-roller-frame and repositioned rear idler puts
more track on the ground, enhancing slope capability. Safety
Additional large surface mirrors enhance visibility for the
Lift Capacity operator, and a modified block set design reduces the profile
New counterweight profile adds more weight providing for greater visibility to the pipe. New, easy-to-service ladder
increased lift capacity. The PL87 has a rated lift capacity design offers enhanced access/egress to the operator station.
of 97 069 kg (214,000 lb).
Transportability
New lower winch profile reduces shipping envelope and aids
transportability. New bolt-on block horn has been added to
the front of the machine for more convenient transport/
storage of the block set.
PL87 Pipelayer Specifications

Engine Hydraulic System

®
Engine Model Cat C15 ACERT™ Implement Pump Output – Max 277 L/min 73.2 gal/min
Emissions U.S. EPA Tier 3, (closed loop)
EU Stage IIIA Relief Valve Setting 41 600 kPa 6,033.6 psi
Gross Power 294 kW 394 hp Counterweight (gear) 101 L/min 26.7 gal/min
Gross Power (Metric) 400 hp Variable Charge Pump Output – 219 L/min 57.9 gal/min
Gross Power – ISO 14396 281 kW 377 hp Max (open loop)
Gross Power – ISO 14396 (Metric) 382 hp
Flywheel Power 273 kW 366 hp Service Capacities
Flywheel Power (Metric) 371 hp Fuel Tank 569 L 150.3 gal
Net Power – ISO 9249 273 kW 366 hp Crankcase and Filter 38 L 10 gal
Net Power – ISO 9249 (Metric) 371 hp Final Drive (each side) 13 L 3.4 gal
Net Power – SAE J1349 270 kW 362 hp Cooling System 76 L 20 gal
Net Power – SAE J1349 (Metric) 367 hp Hydraulic Tank 170 L 44.9 gal
Net Power – EU 80/1269 273 kW 366 hp
Power Train 190 L 50 gal
Net Power – EU 80/1269 (Metric) 371 hp
Bore 137 mm 5.4 in Operating Specifications
Stroke 172 mm 6.75 in
Displacement 15.2 L 928 in3 Lifting Capacity 97 069 kg 214,000 lb
• Engine ratings at 1,850 rpm. Weights
• Net power advertised is the power available at the flywheel
when the engine is equipped with fan, air cleaner, muffler and Operating Weight 54 485 kg 120,119 lb
alternator. Automatic derating occurs beyond that altitude. Shipping Weight 42 865 kg 94,501 lb
• Operating weight includes all shipping weights plus full fuel tank
Undercarriage and operator.
Shoe Type Super Extreme Service • Shipping weight includes: lubricants, coolant, 10% fuel,
hydraulic controls and fluids, backup alarm, seat belt,
Width of Standard Shoes 864 mm 34 in
710 mm (28 in) grouser shoes, drawbar and counterweight.
Number of Shoes (each side) 48
Grouser Height 93 mm 3.6 in
Track Gauge 2.54 m 8 ft 4 in
Length of Track on Ground 3.587 m 11 ft 9 in
Ground Contact Area 3715 mm 10 ft 5 in
Number of Rollers (each side) 9 9
Number of Carrier Rollers 1 per side
• Positive pin retention track.

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 PL87 Pipelayer Specifications

Transmission Pipelaying Equipment

1 Forward 3 km/h 1.9 mph Planetary Hydraulic Winches
2 Forward 5.4 km/h 3.3 mph Hook
3 Forward 9.4 km/h 5.8 mph Drum Diameter 254 mm 10 in
1 Reverse 4 km/h 2.5 mph
Flange Diameter 508 mm 20 in
2 Reverse 7 km/h 4.4 mph
Drum Length 355.6 mm 14 in
3 Reverse 12.3 km/h 7.7 mph
1F – Drawbar Pull 618.5 N 139 lbf Wire Rope Diameter 19 mm 0.75 in
2F – Drawbar Pull 338.2 N 76 lbf Boom and Cables, 7.3 m (24 ft) 114.3 m 375 ft
3F – Drawbar Pull 186.9 N 42 lbf Boom and Cables, 7.3 m (24 ft) 114.3 m 375 ft
Extended
Boom and Cables, 8.53 m (28 ft) 124.2 m 407.6 ft
Standards Boom and Cables, 8.53 m (28 ft) 124.2 m 407.6 ft
Extended
Brakes Brakes meet the standard
SAE JISO 10265 MAR99 Hook Speed (Raise) 15.5 m/min 50.8 ft/min
with 8 Part Line
ROPS Optional ROPS
(Rollover Protection Boom
Structure) meets the Drum Diameter 254 mm 10 in
standards SAE J397 Flange Diameter 508 mm 20 in
OCT95, SAE J1040 Drum Length 355.6 mm 14 in
MAY94, ISO 3164 1995
and ISO 3471-1 Wire Rope Diameter 19 mm 0.75 in
Boom and Cables, 7.3 m (24 ft) 55 m 180.4 ft
Boom and Cables, 7.3 m (24 ft) 74 m 242.8 ft
Extended
Boom and Cables, 8.53 m (28 ft) 62.5 m 205 ft
Boom and Cables, 8.53 m (28 ft) 86.2 m 282.8 ft
Extended
Removable Counterweight 13 Segments
2@ 285 kg 628 lb
6@ 710 kg 1,562 lb
5@ 785 kg 1,725 lb
Total Weight Extendible 13 903 kg 30,587 lb
• Hydraulic Power – 540 L/min at 18 259 kPa/183 bar
(143 gal/min at 2,650 psi) and 2,100 rpm pump speed
independent of torque converter

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PL87 Pipelayer Specifications

lb kg
220,000 99 790
210,000 95 254
200,000 90 718
190,000 86 183
180,000 81 647
170,000 77 111
160,000
150,000
72 575
68 039 A
140,000 63 503
130,000
120,000
58 967
54 431
B
Load

110,000 49 895
100,000 45 359
90,000 40 823
80,000 36 287
70,000 31 751
60,000 27 216
50,000 22 680
40,000 18 144
30,000
20,000
13 608
9072
C
10,000 4536
0 0
1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.0 3.4 3.7 4.0 4.3 4.6 4.9 5.2 5.5 5.8 6.1 6.4 6.7 7.0 7.3 7.6 7.9 8.2 8.5 m

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ft

Load Overhang

A – Lift capacity at tipping point – ISO 8813 – 97 069 kg (214,000 lb)

B – Rated load capacity – ANSI/ASME B30.14
C – Working range – ANSI/ASME B30.14

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 PL87 Pipelayer Specifications

Dimensions

12

PL87

9
5

6
11

1 10 7
2 8
3
4

1 Track gauge 2.54 m 8 ft 4 in

2 Width of tractor (standard shoes) 3.86 m 12 ft 8 in
3 Width of tractor counterweight/boom removed 4.04 m 13 ft 3 in
4 Width of tractor (counterweight retracted) 4.34 m 14 ft 3 in
5 Machine height (tip of counterweight) 3.44 m 11 ft 3.25 in
6 Drawbar height 0.60 m 1 ft 10 in
7 Length of track on ground 3.72 m 12 ft 2 in
8 Operating length 5.49 m 17 ft 11 in
9 Height of machine
Height with ROPS and boom removed 3.18 m 11 ft 6 in
Height to the top of the ROPS canopy/cab 3.84 m 12 ft 7 in
10 Grouser height 0.09 m 3.6 in
11 Ground clearance (per SAE J1234) 0.46 m 18 in
12 Boom height [at SAE 1.22 m (4 ft) overhang] 8.53 m (28 ft) boom 9.25 m 30 ft 5 in

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PL87 Pipelayer Standard Equipment

Standard Equipment
Standard equipment may vary. Consult your Cat dealer for details.
ELECTRICAL UNDERCARRIAGE
Alarm, backup Carrier roller
Batteries, 4, maintenance free Frame, 9-roller tubular track roller frame
Converter, 12V, 10 amp with 1 outlet Hydraulic track adjusters
Diagnostic connector Master links, two piece
Horn, forward warning Non-suspended undercarriage
Lighting system, halogen, (2 front, 2 rear) Rollers and idlers, lifetime lubricated
Starting receptacle Sprocket rim segments, replaceable
Track adjusters, hydraulic
OPERATOR ENVIRONMENT Track guiding guards
Armrest, adjustable 864 mm (34 in) super extreme service grouser with sealed
Deactivation switch, hydraulic controls and lubricated track (48 section) clipped grousers
Horn
Hour meter, electronic OTHER STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Governor switch, electronic Bumper, front with towing device
Key start, single Drawbar, heavy duty
Monitoring system, electronic warning system with temperature Ecology drains – Engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, torque
gauges for coolant, power train oil and hydraulic oil converter, fuel tank, power train case and transmission
Pedal, decelerator Guard, hinged bottom
Pedals, dual brake Guard, hinged radiator
Seat, Vinyl suspension Hood, solid
Seat belt, retractable Hydraulic system, pilot operated for hook, boom,
Service indicator, air cleaner and counterweight control
Steering control, electronic, finger tip control Oil cooler, hydraulic
Storage compartment Parts book, CD ROM
Product link ready
PIPELAYING EQUIPMENT S·O·SSM sampling ports
Block and hook with latch, heavy duty Steering, electronic clutch brake
Counterweights, extendable segmented Vandalism protection for fluid compartments
Drawworks, hydraulic actuated and controlled

POWER TRAIN
Advanced Modular Cooling System (AMOCS)
Aftercooler, air-to-air (ATAAC)
C15 ACERT diesel engine with EUI (Electronic Unit Injection)
Coolant, extended life with protection to –37° C (–34° F)
Electric starting, 24 volt
Fan, suction, hydraulically driven blower
Filter, air with electronic service indicator
Final drives, four planet, double reduction planetary
Fuel priming pump, electric
Muffler
Parking brake, electronic
Precleaner, stratta-tube dust ejector
Prescreener
Starting aid, ether
Torque divider
Transmission, electronically-controlled powershift, 3F-3R speeds
Transmission, control module, electronic
Turbocharger, wastegate
Water separator

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 PL87 Pipelayer Mandatory Attachments and Optional Equipment

Mandatory Attachments and Optional Equipment

Mandatory attachments may vary. Consult your Cat dealer for details on available arrangements.
MANDATORY ATTACHMENTS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
FACTORY ARRANGEMENTS POWER TRAIN
Cab with Air Conditioning and 150 Amp Alternator Drains, ecology, power train
Cab with 95 Amp Alternator
Heater, Engine Coolant, 110V or 240V PRODUCT LINK
Roll-Over Protection (ROPS) Product Link PL321, none
Rollers, Arctic Product Link PL321, Satellite
Rollers, Standard Product Link PL321, Cellular

PIPELAYING EQUIPMENT
Boom and Cables, 7.3 m (24 ft)
Boom and Cables, 7.3 m (24 ft) Extended
Boom and Cables, 8.53 m (28 ft)
Boom and Cables, 8.53 m (28 ft) Extended

ENGINE ENCLOSURES
Enclosure, Engine, Solid
Enclosure, Engine, Perforated

HOOD
Hood, Solid
Hood, Perforated

FUEL SYSTEMS
Tank, Fuel, Std
Tank, Fuel, Fast Fill

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PL87 Pipelayer

Materials and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Featured machines in photos may include additional equipment.

For more complete information on Cat products, dealer services, and industry solutions, AEHQ6552-01
visit us on the web at www.cat.com. (Replaces AEHQ6552)

© 2012 Caterpillar Inc. February 2012

All Rights Reserved.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, ACERT, SAFETY.CAT.COM, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”

and the “Power Edge” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein,
are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
Product ID: PL87