A New Auto Articulation Free Trial for Certain Motor Graders is Now Available {7000} Caterpillar

Motor Grader

12M (S/N: B92387-UP)

12M Series 3 (S/N: N9B265-UP; N9F474-UP; N9P169-UP; N9R195-UP)

140M (S/N: B9D4779-UP; D9G1593-UP)

140M Series 3 (S/N: N9D556-UP; N9G174-UP; N9J383-UP; N9M291-UP)

14L (S/N: B94222-UP)

160M (S/N: B9E1146-UP; D9T1441-UP)

160M Series 3 (S/N: N9L134-UP; N9T169-UP)

A new Auto Articulation feature is now available for machines listed above. The new feature allows the motor grader to articulate, automatically, with the front wheels. The automatic articulation can be active in first through fourth forward gears and first through third reverse gears. The auto articulation hardware is installed from the factory. A 500-hour trial period is included when the machine is ordered with the 483-2354 Electric Control Ar auto articulation control package. Auto articulation will be permanently installed if the machine is ordered with the performance bundle 492-3595 Option Ar.

Auto Articulation Operation

Illustration 1	g06019632
View of Auto Articulation switch

The Auto Articulation switch is a three-position switch. Auto articulation automatically articulates the machine so that the rear frame of the machine will follow the front steering wheel angle. The feature operates in FORWARD and REVERSE mode and FORWARD only mode. To engage auto articulation, disengage the parking brake and place the implement lockout switch in the UNLOCK position. Press the top of the switch for FORWARD and REVERSE mode or press the bottom of the switch for FORWARD only mode. Move the machine in intended direction, auto articulation will become active. Move the steering angle to cross/pass the current articulation angle. Articulation should start following the steering angle. An articulation “return to center” command or a manual articulation command through the left-hand joystick controls will always suspend the auto articulation function. The function will become active again under the following conditions: the rocker switch is not in the OFF position, the machine is in the correct gear range, and the steering angle realigns with the articulation angle.

Note: The maximum allowed forward and reverse gears for auto articulation are 4F and 3R.

Permanent Activation of Auto Articulation

After the machine reaches 500 hours, at the next key cycle the trial period is over. The feature will stop working without affecting anything on the machine, no further action is needed.

The remaining time of the trial period can be checked through the display menu.

Illustration 2	g06020315
View of M-Series messenger

To check the time remaining on M-series machines, select "Settings" under the Main Menu, then "Implement", "Auto Articulation Status", "AA Time Remaining".

Illustration 3	g06020338

To check the time remaining on M3-series machines, select "Settings" under the Main Menu, then "Machine Status", "Steering System Status".

Auto Articulation can be permanently reactivated with the purchase and installation of the Auto Articulation Software Enabled Attachment (SEA) at any time during or at the end of the free trial, and is a dealer installed-only option. The Auto Articulation SEA will require a factory password to enable.