Best Rotating Crawler Carrier?
Prinoth Panther T14R vs. Terramac RT14R vs. Morooka MST2200VDR
Rotating crawler carriers are extremely effective machines, but which one is the best? We are comparing the Prinoth Panther T14R vs. the Terramac RT14R vs. the Morooka MST2200VDR, three of the most well-known rotators. All three of these dumpers are tracked and can rotate their cab and dump box 360°. Their rubber tracks enable them to work in all types of terrain and maintain low ground pressure, minimizing their effect on the environment.
The Panther T14R is manufactured by Prinoth and has a 29,100 lb. capacity. It has both the highest speed at 8.4 mph and highest payload of all crawler carriers in its class.
The RT14R is a rotating crawler carrier manufactured by Terramac. It has a 28,000 lb. capacity and can travel at a speed of 6.2 mph.
The MST2200VDR is Morooka’s first rotating machine, modeled after the MST2200. This track truck has a 24,255 lb. capacity and can travel 6.2 mph.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Panther T14R is statistically dominant in the rotating crawler carrier industry. It has both the highest payload and the highest speed of any tracked dumper in its class. It boasts a payload of 29,100 lbs., which is 1,100 lbs. higher than the Terramac and 4,845 lbs. higher than the Morooka. And although its CAT C7.1 engine doesn’t provide as much horsepower as the RT14R’s 320 HP Cummins diesel, the Panther T14R is still able to travel over 30% faster. This speed/payload ratio give it the most productive cycle time out of all tracked dumpers all while being the most fuel efficient. Another important factor to consider is ground pressure. When it comes to this, the T14R is also ahead, being the only machine able to maintain under 4 PSI when not loaded. The RT14R is second, maintaining 5 PSI, and the MST2200VDR is in last with 5.13 PSI.
Another factor contributing towards the Panther T14Rs dominating performance is its dump box capacity. As you can see in the pictures, the overall shape of its dump body is much deeper and has much higher sides than the others. This allows it to carry almost 10 cubic yards of material, whereas the other dumpers have lower sides, limiting their ability to heap high amounts of material. Its dump box also has both the quickest dumping cycle and the quickest rotating cycle, making it the fastest machine at any operating point.
Performance Statistics
| Panther T14R | Terramac RT14R | MST2200VDR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payload | 29,100 lbs. | 28,000 lbs. | 24,255 lbs. |
| Speed | 8.4 mph | 6.2 mph | 6.21 mph |
| Horespower | 275 HP | 320 HP | 249 HP |
| Ground Pressure(Loaded) | 7.04 PSI | 8.3 PSI | 6.2 PSI |
| Ground Pressure(Empty) | 3.90 PSI | 5.00 PSI | 5.13 PSI |
| Dump Box Voume (Struck) | 8.1 yd³ | 5.9 yd³ | 5.2 yd³ |
| Dump Box Volume (Heaped) | 9.5 yd³ | 8.9 yd³ | 8.0 yd³ |
| Dump Box Raise Time: | 7.3 seconds | 9.8 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Dump Box Lower Time: | 6.7 seconds | 6.1 seconds | 8.5 seconds |
| Rotation Time | 15 seconds | 22 seconds | 16 seconds |
| Weight | 36,663 lbs. | 42,200 lbs. | 35,274 lbs. |
Productivity Comparison (Cycle Time)
| Panther T14R Time (min.) | Terramac RT14R Time (min.) | MST2200VDR Time (min.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Load | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| 1 Mile Drive | 7.1 | 9.7 | 9.7 |
| 180° Rotation | .13 | .2 | .15 |
| Unload | .23 | .27 | .31 |
| 1 Mile Drive | 7.1 | 9.7 | 9.7 |
| 180° Rotation | .13 | .2 | .15 |
| CYCLE TIME | 15.94 | 21.32 | 21.26 |
| RESULT | +29,100 lbs. | +28,000 lbs. | +24,255 lbs. |
| HAUL RATE | 1,826 lbs. per min | 1,313 lbs. per min | 1,140 lbs. per min |
|
MATERIAL MOVED (8 HOUR SHIFT) |
438 Tons | 315 Tons | 274 Tons |
From the chart above, you can see that the Panther has both the best cycle time and highest payload. This enables it to move over 100 tons more than the other vehicles during an an 8 hour shift, making it 39% more productive than the Terramac and 60% more productive than the Morooka.
Durability & Maintenance
The Prinoth Panther T14R might win for performance, but which of these tracked dumpers is the most durable? To compare durability, lets start by comparing each dumpers undercarriage. One difference you will immediately notice between the undercarriage is the size difference of the wheels. The Panther T14R wheels are much bigger than those on the Terramac’s or Morooka’s. This combined with their dual tandem suspension, allows Panthers to maintain constant contact with the ground, creating a stable ride for both the operator and machine . On the Terramac and Morooka machines however, the wheels are much smaller. This can prevent the wheels from maintaining constant contact with the ground and often times result in the machine slamming to the ground as it goes over obstacles, which is hard on both the operator and the machine. Not only do the Panther T14R wheels provide much more stability than the other dumpers, the bigger wheels they also result in less complete wheel rotations. This extends their life drastically as, not only are the wheels bigger and more durable, they also wont be doing as many full rotations, despite the fact it is operating at a higher speed.
Aside from being more durable and requiring less maintenance and parts, the bigger bogey wheels also make it a lot easier to clean. This reduces maintenance time significantly as material does not pack up around the rollers, tandems and frame. They also produce minimal stress on the track, which preserves its life and allows it to last longer.
Another feature that sets Prinoth apart from other undercarriages is the fact that it is completely sealed. This prevents mud, dirt and water from getting into the undercarriage, giving it strong protection and reducing wear. This is extremely effective as it eliminates a lot of maintenance and makes the machine operable with the undercarriage fully submerged. The crawlers from Terramac and Morooka have yet to develop this, so you still have to deal with the constant need to replace bearings, seals and bushings and apply lubricant to the rollers. One important thing to note about Morookas, is that it can often be extremely hard to find parts for them, meaning the vehicle can often be unusable for extended periods of time while waiting for parts.
Another major advantage that Prinoth undercarriages have over the rest is track tensioning technology. All Panthers have a track tensioning cylinder which enables you to easily tension and de-tension the track in a matter of seconds, making maintenance extremely easy and reducing unnecessary wear. This cylinder will also automatically reduce the tension on the track when encountering obstacles, preventing damage and extending the tracks life much longer.
The final factor to consider is each machines dump body. All three carriers provide overhead protection from dirt and rocks getting into the machine. They are all equipped with steel beds, enabling them to withstand rocks and other heavy material. The Panther T14R bed is the strongest of the three however, as it is lined with Hardox Steel, allowing it to providing significant reinforcement and enabling it to withstand some of the most aggressive environments.
Operator Experience
Providing the best operator experience is a crucial factor for a crawler truck, and they can often use different controls to operate. In this case, the Morooka MST2200VDR and the Terramac RT14R use dual joysticks, one for driving and the other for rotating and dumping. One disadvantage of this is that when using a joystick to drive in reverse, the controls can often be different on between machines, meaning pulling the joystick back in one direction can result in different travel directions depending on the machine. This makes it a lot harder to operate, hindering a drivers control and creating a threat to worksite safety. On the other hand, the Panther T14R is operated by a newer wheel/pedal system, allowing you to drive it like a car and use the joystick on the armrest to rotate and dump. It is also implemented with Prinoth’s patent-pending directional reset technology, which automatically inverts the controls when it is rotated 180°, and features auto-centering technology as well, allowing you to reset the vehicles alignments by simply pushing a button on the joystick.
One of the most crucial things for both safety and optimal driving experience is operator visibility. All three of these vehicles are equipped with mirrors and backup cameras, and the Panther T14R comes with an additional camera covering the far side of the machine. Another feature that is exclusive to Prinoth is the ability to adjust the mirrors from inside the cab. These electronic mirrors allow you to constantly adjust the mirror according to the situation. One visibility disadvantage to note about the MST2200VDR, is that unlike the Terramac and Panther, the cowlings aren’t lowered, which can block your view and limit your visibility when looking to the right side of the machine.
They all have standard features and in-cab displays allowing you to view basic information such as hours, fuel, warning lights, etc.. The Panther’s has a few extra features, such as viewing your gradeability in real time and automatic control inversion for when the machine is rotated 180°. The T14R also has a separate display above its first one which is specifically for displaying video from both its cameras. Another benefit of the Panthers cab, is that it is the quietest of all three. This is due to its automotive control system as opposed to the other two’s more conventional control systems, which reduces the engine sound drastically.
Conclusion
To conclude, the Prinoth Panther T14R is the best rotating crawler carrier. It is far ahead of all others at every point, whether it be payload, speed, efficiency, durability, maintenance or operator experience. This makes it an easy choice for the best rotating crawler carrier on the market.
For any more information on these three dumpers, or if interested in purchasing or renting one, do not hesitate to contact us.