Machine models
Cat 797F: retarding arrangements, body options and controls
Which 797F braking and body arrangement is installed?
The 797F changed the engine architecture to the single-block C175-20 with common-rail injection. Its operating configuration still matters as much as its engine designation. Caterpillar’s December 2010 brochure distinguishes the normal flat/uphill retarding arrangement from an optional package for loaded downhill work.
A haul plan based only on engine horsepower misses that distinction.
The same publication offers several mine-specific bodies and liners. Their weight changes the remaining payload within the gross-machine limit. A large heaped volume does not by itself authorize a heavier load, and the current HP-body table should not be presented as the volume of every earlier MSD II body.
Keep the body drawing and liner schedule with the truck’s weight record.
Several shift limits are intentional. A raised-body input restricts the permitted gear; the programmed top gear can also impose a site speed limit. The reverse inhibitor prevents a direction change above the stated forward-speed threshold.
A report that the truck will not select a requested gear needs those operating conditions alongside any fault codes. Neither a parts replacement nor a higher programmed speed follows from that symptom alone.
Source: Caterpillar AEHQ6039-02, December 2010, pages 3–7 and 15.Use the downhill chart for the whole descent
The manufacturer’s retarding supplement instructs the planner to add the lengths of all downhill segments before choosing the applicable chart. Its effective-grade calculation subtracts rolling resistance from the physical downhill grade. That differs from the uphill performance chart, where rolling resistance adds to the climbing resistance.
Mixing the two signs gives the wrong operating point.
The continuous-retarding chart has stated conditions: sea level, the specified tire size and the listed ambient temperature. A peak road speed is not a permissible descent speed under every load. Start with the actual gross weight and effective grade, then use the chart for the required descent length and installed equipment.
Caterpillar also warns that overheated cooling oil requires a lower ground speed so the transmission can reach a lower range. The result is a brake-cooling constraint, even when engine power appears ample.
Source: Caterpillar AEHQ6039-03 performance and retarding supplement, four-page extract.| Listing-entry count |
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| 1 |
Short answer
Cat 797F: retarding arrangements, body options and controls: rigid rock truck.
| Configuration | Documented field and quantity |
|---|---|
| 797F |
|
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Nominal Rated Payload | 400 ton (US) |
| Rated Gross Machine Weight | 1,375,000 lb |
| Chassis Weight | 474,472 lb |
| Body Weight | 94,799 lb |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Gross Power - SAE J1995 | 4,000 hp |
| Engine Model | Cat® C175-20 |
| Net Power - SAE J1349 | 3,795 hp |
| Rated Speed | 1750 r/min |
| Emissions | US EPA Compliant. Where applicable, the Cat C175-20 engine is compliant with US EPA emission standards.Tier 4 engine option available to meet Tier 4 Final emission standards |
| Bore | 6.9 in |
| Stroke | 8.7 in |
| Displacement | 6,469 in³ |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Type | Twin, two-stage hydraulic cylinders with snubbing valve |
| Pump Flow - High Idle | 317 gpm |
| Relief Valve Setting - Raise | 3,510 psi |
| Body Raise Time - High Idle | 25 s |
| Body Lower Time - Float | 18 s |
| Body Power Down- High Idle | 18 s |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-contained nitrogen/oil cylinders, rear strut pin-to-pin mounting, top & bottom double shear clevis attachments |
| Effective Cylinder Stroke - Front | 3.9 in |
| Effective Cylinder Stroke - Rear | 3.7 in |
| Rear axle - Oscillation | ±3.96 degrees |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Fuel Tank | 1,000 gal (US) |
| Fuel Tank (Tier 4) | 1,200 gal (US) |
| Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank | 100 gal (US) |
| Cooling System | 306 gal (US) |
| Crankcase | 103 gal (US) |
| Front Wheels - Each | 16 gal (US) |
| Differentials | 330 gal (US) |
| Steering Tank | 67 gal (US) |
| Steering System - Including Tank | 95 gal (US) |
| Brake/Hoist Tank | 203 gal (US) |
| Brake Hoist System - Includes Tank | 489 gal (US) |
| Torque Converter Sump | 80 gal (US) |
| Torque Converter/Transmission System - Including Sump | 166 gal (US) |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Front Axle - Empty | 47.20% |
| Rear Axle - Empty | 52.80% |
| Front Axle - Loaded | 33.30% |
| Rear Axle - Loaded | 66.70% |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Type | Double reduction, planetary with full floating axles |
| Differential Ratio | 1.276:1 |
| Planetary Ratio | 16.67:1 |
| Total Reduction Ratio | 21.26:1 |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Tires | 59/80 R63 |
| Rims | 44 x 63 |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | Service Brakes: Four-Corner, Wet Disc, Oil Cooled, Hydraulically Actuated |
| Front Wet Disc Brake Surface Area | 20,500 in² / 132 259 cm² |
| Rear - Wet Disc Brake Surface Area | 30,750 in² / 198 388 cm² |
| Standards | Service and Secondary: ISO 3450:2011 |
| Parking Brake | Four-corner, Multi-disc, Spring Applied, Hydraulically Released |
| Load Brake | Rear service brakes |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Struck | 225 yd³ / 172 m³ |
| Heaped (SAE 2:1)* | 330 yd³ / 252 m³ |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioning | HFC - 134A refrigerant: 24,300 Btu/h |
| Heater / Defroster | 38900 Btu/h |
| FOPS Standards | FOPS (Falling Objects Protective Structure) meets ISO 3449:2005 Level II criteria and ISO 13459:2012 Level II |
| ROPS Standards (2) | ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) meets ISO 3471:2008 criteria and ISO 13459:2012 |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Steering Angle | 40 ° |
| Steering Standards | ISO 5010:2019 |
| Turning Diameter - Front | 122.7 ft |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Forward - 1 | 6.6 mph |
| Forward - 2 | 8.9 mph |
| Forward - 3 | 12 mph |
| Forward - 4 | 16.2 mph |
| Forward - 5 | 21.8 mph |
| Forward - 6 | 29.4 mph |
| Forward - 7 | 39.5 mph |
| Reverse | 7.4 mph |
| Top Speed - Loaded | 39.5 mph |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Rear Axle - Clearance - Loaded | 3.08 ft |
| Inside Body Depth - Maximum | 11 ft |
| Overall Height - Body Raised | 51.5 ft |
| Loaded Ground Clearance | 2.58 ft |
| Loading Height - Empty | 23 ft |
| Engine Guard Clearance - Loaded | 3.33 ft |
| Height - Top of ROPS - Empty | 21.4 ft |
| Front Canopy Height - Empty | 25.33 ft |
| Overall Body Length | 48.6 ft |
| Inside Body Length | 32.75 ft |
| Overall Length | 49.5 ft |
| Wheel Base | 23.58 ft |
| Rear Axle - Tail | 12.9 ft |
| Dump Clearance | 6.58 ft |
| Centerline Front Tire Width | 21.41 ft |
| Overall Canopy Width | 29.91 ft |
| Outside Body Width | 32 ft |
| Inside Body Width | 27.91 ft |
| Centerline of Rear Dual Tire Width | 20.41 ft |
| Overall Tire Width | 31.25 ft |
| Specification | 797F |
|---|---|
| Sound Standards (2) | Operator sound pressure level, 78 dB(A), is tested to ISO 6394:2008 and ISO 6396:2008 |
| Figure | 797F |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank per engine horsepower | 0.25 gal |
The 797F beside its neighbours
| Base version | 797B | 797F |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 3,370 hp | 4,000 hp |
| Weight | 797B: 584,225 lb | |
| Fuel capacity | 1,800 gal | 1,000 gal (US) |
| Wheelbase | 23.62 ft | 23.58 ft |
| Rated payload | 797B: 793,664 lb | |
History and service record of 797F
- What changed from the 797B. Caterpillar showed the 797F at MINExpo International in September 2008 and moved it into full production in late 2009, replacing the 797B with a 20 ST higher payload capacity (400 ST) and a new gross 4,000 hp (net 3,793 hp) Cat C175-20 ACERT 20-cylinder engine in place of the 797B's gross 3,550 hp (net 3,370 hp) 24-cylinder 3524B EUI, which let the heavier-loaded 797F still hold the 797B's 42 mph top speed. Wikipedia, Caterpillar 797.
- What it competed against at launch. Before the 797F and the Bucyrus MT6300AC were introduced alongside it in September 2008, the Liebherr T 282B (introduced 2004) had been the only haul truck on the market with a 400 ST payload capacity. Wikipedia, Caterpillar 797.
- Frame sets the service life. Every major component on the 797 series can be serviced or replaced over the truck's life except the frame, so overall service life comes down to the frame's durability, which Caterpillar estimates at twenty years. Wikipedia, Caterpillar 797.
| Forum index | Equipment class queried | Names in the search | Matching titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Forums | rigid rock truck | Cat and the 797F. That is too few titles to say what owners mostly ask about, so the most recent are listed instead | 1 |
- CAT 797f First Pictures (Heavy Equipment Forums, 2008-07-03)
| Date | Listing index | Equipment class | Names queried | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-25 | MachineryTrader (machinerytrader.com) | rigid rock truck | 797F | No matching offers in this snapshot |
| Date | Database | Names queried | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-25 | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | Cat; 797F | No matching recall in the stated search |
| Evidence class | Document, classification and recorded date |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer |
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| Forum threads |
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| Published history |
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| Federal agency data |
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Cat 797F: retarding arrangements, body options and controls: Configuration records
797F
| Specification | Source figure |
|---|---|
| Weights Approximate | |
| Chassis Weight | 474,472 lb |
| Nominal Rated Payload | 400 ton (US) |
| Rated Gross Machine Weight | 1,375,000 lb |
| Body Weight | 94,799 lb |
| Engine | |
| Net Power - SAE J1349 | 3,795 hp |
| Gross Power - SAE J1995 | 4,000 hp |
| Bore | 6.9 in |
| Stroke | 8.7 in |
| Emissions | US EPA Compliant. Where applicable, the Cat C175-20 engine is compliant with US EPA emission standards.Tier 4 engine option available to meet Tier 4 Final emission standards |
| Final Drives | |
| Planetary Ratio | 16.67:1 |
| Differential Ratio | 1.276:1 |
| Tires | |
| Rims | 44 x 63 |
| Braking System | |
| Service Brakes | Service Brakes: Four-Corner, Wet Disc, Oil Cooled, Hydraulically Actuated |
| Front Wet Disc Brake Surface Area | 20,500 in² / 132 259 cm² |
| Rear - Wet Disc Brake Surface Area | 30,750 in² / 198 388 cm² |
| Parking Brake | Four-corner, Multi-disc, Spring Applied, Hydraulically Released |
| Load Brake | Rear service brakes |
| Body Hoists | |
| Pump Flow - High Idle | 317 gpm |
| Relief Valve Setting - Raise | 3,510 psi |
| Body Raise Time - High Idle | 25 s |
| Body Lower Time - Float | 18 s |
| Body Power Down- High Idle | 18 s |
| Service Refill Capacities | |
| Steering Tank | 67 gal (US) |
| Steering System - Including Tank | 95 gal (US) |
| Torque Converter/Transmission System - Including Sump | 166 gal (US) |
| Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank | 100 gal (US) |
| Fuel Tank (Tier 4) | 1,200 gal (US) |
| Front Wheels - Each | 16 gal (US) |
| Differentials | 330 gal (US) |
| Brake/Hoist Tank | 203 gal (US) |
| Brake Hoist System - Includes Tank | 489 gal (US) |
| Torque Converter Sump | 80 gal (US) |
| Cab | |
| FOPS Standards | FOPS (Falling Objects Protective Structure) meets ISO 3449:2005 Level II criteria and ISO 13459:2012 Level II |
| Air Conditioning | HFC - 134A refrigerant: 24,300 Btu/h |
| Heater / Defroster | 38900 Btu/h |
| ROPS Standards (2) | ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) meets ISO 3471:2008 criteria and ISO 13459:2012 |
| Sound | |
| Sound Standards (2) | Operator sound pressure level, 78 dB(A), is tested to ISO 6394:2008 and ISO 6396:2008 |
| Steering | |
| Steering Standards | ISO 5010:2019 |
| Turning Diameter - Front | 122.7 ft |
| Steering Angle | 40 ° |
| Suspension | |
| Effective Cylinder Stroke - Front | 3.9 in |
| Effective Cylinder Stroke - Rear | 3.7 in |
| Rear axle - Oscillation | ±3.96 degrees |
| Type — Suspension | Self-contained nitrogen/oil cylinders, rear strut pin-to-pin mounting, top & bottom double shear clevis attachments |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Inside Body Depth - Maximum | 11 ft |
| Inside Body Length | 32.75 ft |
| Overall Body Length | 48.6 ft |
| Rear Axle - Clearance - Loaded | 3.08 ft |
| Loaded Ground Clearance | 2.58 ft |
| Engine Guard Clearance - Loaded | 3.33 ft |
| Height - Top of ROPS - Empty | 21.4 ft |
| Transmission and speeds | |
| Reverse | 7.4 mph |
| Forward - 1 | 6.6 mph |
| Forward - 2 | 8.9 mph |
| Forward - 3 | 12 mph |
| Forward - 4 | 16.2 mph |
| Forward - 5 | 21.8 mph |
| Forward - 6 | 29.4 mph |
| Forward - 7 | 39.5 mph |
| Capacity HP Body 100% Fill Factor | |
| Heaped (SAE 2:1)* | 330 yd³ / 252 m³ |
| Additional specifications | |
| Overall Length | 49.5 ft |
| Inside Body Width | 27.91 ft |
| Outside Body Width | 32 ft |
| Overall Height - Body Raised | 51.5 ft |
| Loading Height - Empty | 23 ft |
| Centerline Front Tire Width | 21.41 ft |
| Dump Clearance | 6.58 ft |
| Rear Axle - Tail | 12.9 ft |
| Wheel Base | 23.58 ft |
| Overall Tire Width | 31.25 ft |
| Front Canopy Height - Empty | 25.33 ft |
| Overall Canopy Width | 29.91 ft |
| Centerline of Rear Dual Tire Width | 20.41 ft |
| Engine Model | Cat® C175-20 |
| Displacement | 6,469 in³ |
| Rated Speed | 1750 r/min |
| Top Speed - Loaded | 39.5 mph |
| Tires | 59/80 R63 |
| Type | Twin, two-stage hydraulic cylinders with snubbing valve |
| Total Reduction Ratio | 21.26:1 |
| Cooling System | 306 gal (US) |
| Crankcase | 103 gal (US) |
| Fuel Tank | 1,000 gal (US) |
| Front Axle - Empty | 47.20% |
| Rear Axle - Empty | 52.80% |
| Front Axle - Loaded | 33.30% |
| Rear Axle - Loaded | 66.70% |
| Standards | Service and Secondary: ISO 3450:2011 |
| Struck | 225 yd³ / 172 m³ |
| December 2010 Power And Body Scope | AEHQ6039-02: 2828 kW (3793 hp) SAE J1349 at 1750 rpm; MSD II heaped 240–267 m3, 314–350 yd3; dated edition, current HP body and 3795 hp entry separate. [source] |
| December 2010 Suspension Scope | AEHQ6039-02: effective stroke front 313.6 mm (12.3 in), rear 165.1 mm (6.5 in); earlier catalogue 3.9/3.7 in entries remain separate. [source] |
| Retarding Arrangement | AEHQ6039-02: flat/uphill standard, loaded-downhill retarding option. Verify installed package and actual route before chart selection. [source] |
| Continuous Retarding Chart Conditions | AEHQ6039-03 extract: sea level, 32 C (90 F), 59/80R63 tires; add downhill segment lengths, effective grade subtracts rolling resistance. [source] |
More in Cat: 777B, 794 AC/796 AC/798 AC, 777D.