Category : Pipelayers ➔ Manufacturer : Caterpillar ➔ Model : PL61 ➔
The Caterpillar PL61 is a pipelayer designed for pipeline construction and heavy lifting in demanding jobsite conditions. It is used to handle, position, and lower pipe sections during oil, gas, and utility pipeline installation. The PL61 combines a tracked undercarriage with a sideboom lifting arrangement for stability and controlled pipe placement on uneven terrain. Caterpillar pipelayers are built for high-capacity lifting, precise load handling, and reliable operation in remote construction environments. The PL61 is part of Caterpillar's pipeline equipment lineup and is associated with applications requiring safe pipe movement, accurate placement, and durable field performance.
Air Conditioning System
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Air Conditioning System specifications
Air Conditioning
The air conditioning system on this machine contains the fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant R134a (Global Warming Potential = 1430). The system contains 1.3 kg of refrigerant which has a CO2 equivalent of 1.859 metric tonnes.
Boom
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Boom specifications
Max Lift Capacity
40,000.00 lbs (18,143.72 kg)
Dimensions
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Dimensions specifications
Boom Height (at SAE 1.22 m [4 ft] overhang)
245.00 in (622.30 cm)
Boom Length
18.00 ft (5.49 m)
Cat C4.4 ACERT Emissions
U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage IV/Korea Tier 4 Final
Cat C7.1 ACERT Emissions
China Nonroad Stage III equivalent to Tier 3/Stage IIIA
DEF Tank(1)
5.00 gal (18.93 l)
Engine Power - 2,000 rpm - SAE J1995
160.00 hp (119.31 kw)
Fuel Tank
69.00 gal (261.17 l)
Height - Top of ROPS/FOPS
118.00 in (299.72 cm)
Height - Top of Stack
112.00 in (284.48 cm)
Length - Track on Ground
104.00 in (264.16 cm)
Machine Height - Tip of Winch
101.00 in (256.54 cm)
Net Power - 2,200 rpm - ISO 9249
130.00 hp (96.94 kw)
Net Power - 2,200 rpm - ISO 9249 (DIN)
132.00 hp (98.43 kw)
Net Power - 2,200 rpm - SAE J1349
128.00 hp (95.45 kw)
Net Power - Caterpillar
125.00 hp (93.21 kw)
Net Power - EEC 80/1269
125.00 hp (93.21 kw)
Net Power - SAE J1349
123.40 hp (92.02 kw)
Operating Length
12.60 ft (3.84 m)
Track Gauge
6.60 ft (2.01 m)
Width - Counterweight Extended
187.00 in (474.98 cm)
Width - Tractor - Counterweight Retracted
128.00 in (325.12 cm)
Width - Tractor - Counterweight/Boom Removed
126.00 in (320.04 cm)
Width - Tractor - With 560 mm [22 in] Shoes
101.00 in (256.54 cm)
Width - Tractor - With 760 mm [30 in] Shoes
109.00 in (276.86 cm)
Engine
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Engine specifications
Bore
4.20 in (10.67 cm)
Displacement
403.00 cu in (6,604.00 cu cm)
Engine Model
Cat C6.6 ACERT
Flywheel Power
125.00 hp (93.21 kw)
Net Power
125.00 hp (93.21 kw)
Net Power - ISO 9249
125.00 hp (93.21 kw)
Stroke
5.00 in (12.70 cm)
Hydraulic Controls
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Hydraulic Controls specifications
Hydraulic Controls Type
piston type variable two section
Output - Maximum
142.00 gpm (537.47 lpm)
Relief Valve Setting - Counterweight
2500 psi
Hydraulic System
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Hydraulic System specifications
Pump Flow Capacity
142.00 gpm (537.47 lpm)
Pump type
piston type variable two section
Relief Valve Pressure
2500 psi
Lift System
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Lift System specifications
Lift Capacity at Tipping Point - ISO 8813
40,000.00 lbs (18,143.72 kg)
Operating Specifications
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Operating Specifications specifications
Cooling System Fluid Capacity
6.40 gal (24.22 l)
Final Drives Fluid Capacity
6.00 gal (22.71 l)
Fuel Capacity
77.90 gal (294.85 l)
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity
15.30 gal (57.91 l)
Pipelaying Equipment
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Pipelaying Equipment specifications
2 Part Line Hook Speed (Hi)
114.00 ft/min (34.75 m/min)
2 Part Line Hook Speed (Lo)
54.00 ft/min (16.46 m/min)
3 Part Line Hook Speed (Hi)
76.00 ft/min (23.16 m/min)
3 Part Line Hook Speed (Lo)
36.00 ft/min (10.97 m/min)
Bare Drum Hook Speed (Hi)
228.00 ft/min (69.49 m/min)
Bare Drum Hook Speed (Lo)
108.00 ft/min (32.92 m/min)
Boom Line Speed
151.00 ft/min (46.02 m/min)
Boom Winch Capacity - 16 mm (5/8 in) Diameter
162.00 ft (49.38 m)
Boom Winch Drum Diameter
9.70 in (24.64 cm)
Boom Winch Drum Length
10.00 in (25.40 cm)
Boom Winch Flange Diameter
14.70 in (37.34 cm)
Boom with Wire Rope Installed - 16 mm (5/8 in) Diameter
130.00 ft (39.62 m)
Counterweight Extendible
6,570.00 lbs (2,980.11 kg)
Hook Winch Capacity - 16 mm (5/8 in) Diameter
239.00 ft (72.85 m)
Hook Winch Drum Diameter
8.50 in (21.59 cm)
Hook Winch Drum Length
10.00 in (25.40 cm)
Hook Winch Flange Diameter
15.50 in (39.37 cm)
Hook with Wire Rope Installed - 16 mm (5/8 in) Diameter
130.00 ft (39.62 m)
Lift Capacity
40,000.00 lbs (18,143.72 kg)
Service Capacities
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Service Capacities specifications
Cooling System
6.40 gal (24.22 l)
Crankcase - With Filter
4.40 gal (16.65 l)
Final Drive - Each
6.00 gal (22.71 l)
Fuel Tank
77.90 gal (294.85 l)
Hydraulic Tank
15.30 gal (57.91 l)
Undercarriage
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Undercarriage specifications
Ground Contact Area
4,650.00 cu in (76,200.02 cu cm)
Ground Contact Area - LGP
6,200.00 cu in (101,600.02 cu cm)
Ground Contact Area - Narrow
4,650.00 cu in (76,200.02 cu cm)
Ground Pressure - LGP
6.3 psi
Ground Pressure - Narrow
8.2 psi
Ground Pressure(1) - LGP
5.9 psi
Ground Pressure(1) - Narrow
7.8 psi
Number of Shoes - Each Side
40
Number of Shoes per Side
40
Number of Shoes/Rollers - Each Side
40/8
Number of Track Rollers per Side
7
Shoe Size
22.00 in (55.88 cm)
Track Gauge
6.60 ft (2.01 m)
Track Gauge - LGP
79.00 in (200.66 cm)
Track Gauge - Narrow
70.00 in (177.80 cm)
Track on Ground
104.00 in (264.16 cm)
Track Rollers - Each Side
7
Track Shoe Width - LGP
30.00 in (76.20 cm)
Track Shoe Width - Narrow
22.00 in (55.88 cm)
Track Shoe Width - Narrow/LGP
560/760 mm (22/30 in)
Weights
Caterpillar PL61 Pipelayer Weights specifications
Operating Weight
37,480.00 lbs (17,000.66 kg)
Operating Weight - LGP
39,242.00 lbs (17,799.89 kg)
Operating Weight - Narrow Shoes
37,480.00 lbs (17,000.66 kg)
Shipping Weight - LGP
37,192.00 lbs (16,870.03 kg)
Shipping Weight - Narrow Shoes
35,428.00 lbs (16,069.89 kg)
