CAT RM400
DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT A ROTARY MIXER IS?
Using a variety of different attachments – from universal and combination to soil and space – a rotary
mixer is used for two main purposes: the fi rst is the reclamation of roads, recycling material already in
place and incorporating it into a new surface, negating the time and expense of removing it. In this way
existing pavements are pulverized along with a portion of the base materials to form a new
homogenous base. The second is to improve the load-bearing capacity of soil by introducing additives
such as fl y ash, portland cement and lime.
But the industrial vehicle actually shares its name with a piece of DJ hardware. A rotary mixer has
knobs rather than faders to control sound that, in the DJ world, usually comes from two record decks.
Rotary mixers were there at the birth of DJ culture. The fi rst commercially available club mixers, the
Bozak CMA-10-2DL and UREI 1620, were rotary. Heavy, expensive and powerful, these handmade units
were built with the best components to generate great sound, and were adopted by legendary clubs
such as New York’s Studio 54.
iVT International Off-Highway 2020 35
Caterpillar’s RM300 rotary mixer has been
a staple of road building and construction
work since its launch in 2011. Recognized for its
all-round performance and reliability the RM300
is an extremely e cient tool. You might say it’s
solid. You might even say, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t
x it’. at though would be before you encounter
its successor, the RM400.
“ e rst thing to note about the RM400 is
that it delivers 19% more power over its
predecessor,” says Mark Eiden, Caterpillar’s
global market segment manager based out of
Greater Minneapolis. “ e second is that that’s
just the start. ere are many other new features
such as an enhanced operating environment and
better maneuverability that help contractors
achieve the demanding job speci cations
in both full-depth reclamation and soil
stabilization applications.”
More power, more mobility
e Cat C9.3 engine provides 310kW (416hp) of
power and meets US EPA Tier 4 Final and EU
Stage V emission standards. Its standard allwheel
drive utilizes four independent drive
pumps for maximum torque while providing
excellent traction and greater speed for moving
around the job site. An operating length of 9.56m
(31.4 ) is 44cm (17.3in) shorter than its
predecessor. is helps improve maneuverability
in commercial zones, parking lots and residential
areas, while also enhancing all-round visibility
for the operator.
“ e RM400 o ers full le to right sliding
cabin for enhanced side-to-side visibility and
rotor cut lines for improved operator e ciency
and increased production,” says Eiden. “Caterpillar
is always looking for ways to more e ectively help
our customers do their jobs whether that be
through service, product value or product.”
Innovative operating environment
Standard front- and rear-facing cameras viewed
through a display in the cab provide good visibility,
while optional side-mounted cameras provide good
sight lines along the machine for enhanced safety.
Additionally, optional cameras can be mounted in
front and behind the rotor chamber. e front
camera assists the operator when cutting close to
obstacles such as manholes and curbs, while the
rear camera provides a good view of the discharge
material. Viewing these cameras from the operator’s
station requires an additional touchscreen display.
“Hand-wheel steering o ers simple control and
good forward viewing, while a joystick controls the
rear wheels when utilizing select modes for more
precise control,” says Eider. “A tablet-sized 10in
color LCD display keeps the operator informed of
machine functions, including the front and rear
door opening of the rotor chamber. As such the
latest Caterpillar electronics provide intuitive, easyto
learn controls with touchscreen displays.”
Superior mix quality
ree di erent rotor speeds help deliver the
desired material gradation. An electronic
controller keeps the rotor at the proper depth and
the machine at a consistent speed to ensure
optimal blending performance. e RM400 can
be equipped with a water spray system in
conjunction with an emulsion system to provide
excellent versatility and time savings when
additives are needed.
Four rotor options are available for a variety
of applications. A universal rotor can be used for
either full depth reclamation or soil stabilization
and is equipped with 200 point-attack carbidetipped
tools. A soil rotor is used for a variety of
mixing and stabilization applications and blends
additives with semi-cohesive or granular
materials and is equipped with 238 point-attack,
carbide-tipped tools. e combination rotor is
310kW The power delivered
by the Cat C9.3 engine,
which meets US EPA Tier
4 Final and EU
Stage V emission
standards (416 hp)