Caterpillar D11 - Applications

Applications

D11s are primarily used for moving large quantities of material (dirt, rock, aggregate, etc.) short distances in relatively confined places. For example, they are often used in quarries. The D11 is most commonly found in use in large scale forestry, mining, and quarry operations.

D11s can be adapted for agricultural and rock ripping by fitting a ripper, a long claw-like device on the back of the tractor. Rippers can come singly (single shank) or in groups of two or more (multi shank rippers). Usually, a single shank is preferred for heavy ripping.

Ripping rock allows the ground surface rock to be broken into small, easy to handle and transport rubble which can then be removed so that grading can take place.

Agricultural ripping allows rocky or very hard earth to be broken up so that otherwise unarable land can be put to use in agricultural applications. For example, much of the very best land in the California wine country consists of old lava flows. Ripping shatters the lava, allowing practical agriculture for the wine industry. Hard earth can also be ripped and decompacted to allow the planting of orchards which otherwise could not grow on the land.