Caterpillar's ACERT technology, introduced to meet increasingly strict emissions regulations, equips much of the construction lineup — from the 320-336 excavator series to the 950-982 wheel loader series. The aftertreatment system (DPF, and on some models SCR with Diesel Exhaust Fluid, Caterpillar's equivalent of AdBlue) works well under ideal conditions, but real jobsite work is anything but ideal.
The specific jobsite problem
Unlike a truck cruising the motorway at a steady rpm, an excavator or loader works through continuous cycles of acceleration and idling, often in dusty environments. This combines two factors that work against the DPF: faster-than-expected soot buildup, and exhaust temperatures too low for effective natural regeneration. The result is a filter that clogs earlier than expected, leading to a power drop and, in more serious cases, the machine shutting down mid-job.
What happens when the DPF gets blocked
The ADEM control unit (Caterpillar's engine management system) responds to a saturated DPF by progressively reducing available power, in the most serious cases limiting the machine to a "transport only" mode. For a business with jobsite deadlines, this translates into costly downtime.
On-site direct service
The advantage of an on-site service is clear for machines like these: no need to disassemble anything or move the machine off the jobsite. The technician arrives with professional equipment, programs the ADEM control unit directly on the machine to disable the DPF system (and SCR/DEF where required), clears the related error codes, and verifies operation on the spot — minimizing downtime.
An important note
The service needs to be evaluated based on the machine's use case (private jobsite, public works, rental, export) and applicable regulations: it is the owner's responsibility to verify eligibility for their specific case.
Do you have a Caterpillar machine down because of the DPF? Contact us to schedule an on-site service at your jobsite, with guarantee up to 10 years.