Cat 3306TA Specifications
| Engine Model: Caterpillar 3306TA |
| Engine Type: 4-cycle inline 6-cylinder turbocharged and aftercooled diesel |
| Total Displacement: 638 cu.in (10.5 L) |
| Rated Engine Power: 222-362 Hp (165-270 kW) at 2100 rpm |
| Fuel System Type: Direct fuel injection |
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The Caterpillar 3306TA is an inline
six-cylinder, 10.5-liter heavy-duty diesel engine configured for
Turbocharged-Aftercooled operation, representing a high-output variant
within the renowned 3300 series. This engine is engineered to deliver
maximum power density and torque through forced induction and charge air
cooling, making it suitable for the most demanding industrial, marine,
and generator applications.
The "TA" designation indicates the use of a turbocharger coupled with an
aftercooler (either jacket water or air-to-air) to reduce intake air
temperature, allowing for a greater mass of air in the cylinders and
more efficient combustion. It retains the legendary durability features
of the 3306 platform, including a deep-skirt block, cross-bolted main
bearings, and wet cylinder liners, all controlled by a robust mechanical
fuel system. The 3306TA is recognized for its ability to sustain high
power outputs in continuous duty cycles, establishing it as a benchmark
for reliability in severe environments.
Engine Type: Inline 6-Cylinder, Four-Stroke Cycle Diesel.
Aspiration: Turbocharged and Aftercooled (TA).
Configurations include Turbocharged and Jacket Water Aftercooled (TJWAC)
and Turbocharged and Air-to-Air Aftercooled (ATAAC).
Displacement: 10.5 Liters (638 cubic inches).
Bore: 121 mm (4.75 inches).
Stroke: 152 mm (6.00 inches).
Engine Power (Industrial/Construction): 222-362 HP (165-270 kW).
Engine Power (Generator Set): 215-310 HP (160-230 kW) at 1800 rpm.
Engine Power (Marine): 425 hp (317 kW) at 2100 rpm.
Compression Ratio: 10.4:1 (common for high-output TA configurations).
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4.
Rotation (Viewed from Flywheel End): Counterclockwise.
Governor Type: Mechanical, all-speed or variable speed.
Emission Certification: Pre-Tier and early Tier 1 compliant mechanical
engine.
The cylinder block is a high-rigidity, deep-skirt cast iron structure
designed to withstand extreme cylinder pressures. It incorporates
replaceable wet-type cylinder liners. The liners are pressed into the
block and sealed at the top with a copper composition gasket under a
precision-machined flange. The lower end employs a cross-bolted main
bearing design for ultimate crankshaft support.
Each of the seven nodular iron main bearing caps is secured by two
vertical bolts and two horizontal cross bolts that thread into the
block's lower skirt. This configuration is essential for managing the
high combustion loads generated by the turbocharged-aftercooled system.
The camshaft is gear-driven and rotates within bearings machined
directly into the block.
A single cast iron cylinder head is used, secured by four bolts per
cylinder. The head utilizes a two-valve-per-cylinder design - one intake
and one exhaust. Valve seat inserts are specially hardened to resist the
elevated thermal stresses of high-boost operation. Valve guides are
pressed into the head and are replaceable.
Valve actuation is via pushrods and rocker arms; the rocker arms are
shaft-mounted. Valve lash requires manual adjustment using a screw and
locknut on each rocker arm. The cylinder head gasket is a solid copper
or heavy-duty composite design, engineered to seal the increased
combustion pressures reliably.
The engine employs a direct injection, mechanically controlled fuel
system. Individual camshaft-driven injection pumps, one for each
cylinder, are utilized. These inline plunger-type pumps generate the
high injection pressure required for efficient combustion with dense,
aftercooled air. Fuel is delivered to multi-hole injectors.
Injection timing is adjustable and must be set precisely for optimal
performance and emissions. A gear-type transfer pump supplies fuel from
the tank. The fuel circuit includes a primary filter/water separator and
a secondary spin-on fuel filter. This system is entirely mechanical,
offering reliability and serviceability in remote locations.
Lubrication is provided by a high-capacity gear-type oil pump driven
from the front gear train. Oil is drawn from a deep, cast iron or
fabricated steel sump through a pickup tube and screen. It is then
forced through a full-flow, spin-on or canister-type oil filter. A
bypass valve protects the system. Filtered oil is routed through a
large-capacity oil cooler before entering the main oil gallery.
From the gallery, oil is distributed to the crankshaft main and
connecting rod bearings, camshaft bearings, turbocharger center housing,
and valve train. Piston cooling jets spray a directed, high-volume
stream of oil onto the underside of each piston, a critical design
element for managing piston temperatures under high load.
Coolant circulation is managed by a gear-driven centrifugal water pump.
Coolant flows from the pump through passages in the cylinder block and
cylinder head. A wax-pellet thermostat regulates engine operating
temperature. The defining feature is the aftercooler system. In Jacket
Water Aftercooled (JWAC) models, engine coolant circulates through a
heat exchanger in the intake manifold.
In Air-to-Air Aftercooled (ATAAC) models, a separate air-to-air core
cools the charge. The engine cooling system itself requires a radiator
or heat exchanger of substantial capacity. Coolant filters containing
supplemental additive are standard to maintain chemistry and prevent
liner cavitation.
Starting System: 12-volt, 24-volt, or 32-volt electric starting motor.
Air starting systems are a common and preferred option for industrial
and marine applications due to their reliability. Charging System: A
heavy-duty brushless alternator, with outputs from 80 to 150 amperes to
support large electrical loads.
Air Intake System: A dry-type, often two-stage cyclonic air cleaner
system with a service indicator. Air flows through the cleaner into the
turbocharger compressor, then through the aftercooler, and finally into
the intake manifold. Exhaust System: A cast iron exhaust manifold routes
gases to the turbocharger turbine housing. A wastegate regulates boost
pressure to prevent over-boosting.
Dimensions are substantial, reflecting the engine's heavy-duty
construction and large displacement. For a standard industrial
configuration, approximate length is 1880 mm (74.0 inches), width is
1016 mm (40.0 inches), and height is 1473 mm (58.0 inches). These
dimensions include the aftercooler assembly. The net dry engine weight,
excluding fluids but including standard accessories like a heavy-duty
alternator and air compressor, is approximately 1111 kg (2450 pounds).
This significant weight is a direct result of the robust block, heavy
rotating assembly, and additional aftercooling hardware.
Engine Oil Grade: Use Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (DEO) or an
equivalent oil meeting API CD, CE, or CF-4 specifications. SAE 15W-40 is
common. The turbocharger's high shaft speeds make strict adherence to
oil change intervals and quality imperative.
Oil Change Interval: Dictated by service severity. In continuous
heavy-duty operation, intervals of 250 hours are standard. Oil analysis
is strongly recommended to monitor condition and extend intervals where
possible. Oil System Capacity: Total refill capacity, including filter
change, is approximately 38.0 Liters (10.0 US gallons).
Cooling System Capacity: Total cooling system capacity, including
radiator and aftercooler circuit, is approximately 75.7 Liters (20.0 US
gallons). Fuel Filter: Replace primary and secondary fuel filter
elements every 500 hours or as specified. Air Filter: Service or replace
based on restriction gauge indication. The high air flow of a TA engine
makes filter condition critical to performance and turbocharger life.
Valve Lash Adjustment (Cold): Intake: 0.38 mm (0.015 in). Exhaust: 0.64
mm (0.025 in). Adjust at initial break-in and every subsequent 1000
hours of operation. Engine Coolant: Use a 50/50 mixture of ethylene
glycol antifreeze and demineralized water. Maintain proper concentration
of supplemental coolant additive (SCA) via a coolant filter. Preventing
liner cavitation is absolutely critical in this high-output engine.
Cylinder Head Bolts: Tighten in a specific three-step sequence. Final
torque: 270 Nm (200 lb-ft).
Main Bearing Cap Bolts (Vertical): 340 Nm (250 lb-ft).
Main Bearing Cap Cross Bolts: 160 Nm (118 lb-ft).
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) plus an additional
60-degree turn.
Flywheel Housing-to-Block Bolts: 160 Nm (118 lb-ft).
Flywheel-to-Crankshaft Bolts: 230 Nm (170 lb-ft).
Injector Clamp Bolt: 50 Nm (37 lb-ft).
Oil Pan Bolts: 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
Oil Filter Cap or Cartridge: For spin-on filters, hand-tighten plus
three-quarters turn. For canister types, tighten cap to 75 Nm (55
lb-ft).
The Caterpillar 3306TA engine was specified
for high-power, continuous-duty roles:
Marine Propulsion: A premier choice for commercial fishing vessels,
tugboats, supply boats, and small ferries, with horsepower ratings from
230 to 350. Power Generation: The prime mover for large continuous-duty
and standby generator sets in the 250-500 kW range. Industrial: Powered
large hydraulic power units, high-pressure pumps, large air compressors,
and drilling rig equipment.
Mining: Used in underground loaders (LHDs), haul trucks, and large
dewatering pumps where high torque and reliability are non-negotiable.
Oil and Gas: The standard power source for large triplex and quintuplex
mud pumps, cement pumps, and frac pumps on well service rigs.
Construction: Found in the largest wheel loaders, crawler tractors, and
rock crushers where maximum power was required.
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