2015/07/07 Caterpillar

Motor Grader:

120M (S/N: R9A1-UP; B9C1-UP; R9C1-UP; B9N1-UP; B9W1-UP; D9W1-UP; RMY1-UP)

12M (S/N: R9B1-UP; B9F1-UP; B9R1-UP; B921-UP)

140M (S/N: B9D1-UP; B9G1-UP; D9G1-UP; B9M1-UP)

14M (S/N: B9J1-UP; R9J1-UP)

160M (S/N: B9E1-UP; B9L1-UP; B9T1-UP; D9T1-UP)

16M (S/N: B9H1-UP; R9H1-UP)

24M (S/N: B9K1-UP; B931-UP)

Description of Change: New software is now used on certain M Series Motor Graders. The new software contains enhancements for the Transmission/Chassis ECM (power train), the Implement ECM (implement and steering system), the All Wheel Drive (AWD) ECM, the Messenger, the 16M (C13) Engine and the 14M (C11) Engine.

Adaptable To: The following software improvements are effective for the indicated control modules and the indicated M Series Motor Grader Models:

Software

Refer to Table 1 for the new software part number for Power Train System, Implement System, and All Wheel Drive System.

Refer to Table 2 for new Messenger software groups.

Note:

(A) All of the software group files in this release are in the FL2 file format. Cat ET software release version 2014A or a later Cat ET software version is required to flash these software group files.

(B) When updating software on the M Series Motor Graders, the Implement ECM (implement), the Transmission/Chassis ECM (power train) and the Messenger must be updated with the latest version of software at the same time. Use the Caterpillar Electronic Technician (Cat ET) to verify that all flash files are the latest version. Refer to the Caterpillar Service Information System.

(C) After flashing new software to an ECM or multiple ECMs, always reset the ECM(s) by cycling the power supply. Turn the key switch and the disconnect switch from the ON position to the OFF position. Wait 10 seconds. Then, turn the disconnect switch and the key switch to the ON position as required.

Software Improvements

The following software improvements are effective for the indicated control modules and the indicated M Series Motor Grader Models:

Power Train (Transmission Chassis ECM) Software

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to enable the ECM to update the maximum autoshift forward gear configuration and the maximum reverse autoshift gear configuration when reloading the ECM replacement file after a software flash.

• (Listed M Series Models) - A change to limit the initial gears that the ECM will allow to be engaged when a shift out of Neutral is commanded. The initial gear limits vary according to the machine model. The intent of this change is to limit the higher torques that can be applied to the power train components when travel is initiated in higher gears. The ECM initial gear limits for specific models are:

(a) 24M -Initial Forward Gear Limit = 3F, Initial reverse Gear Limit =2R

(b) 12M, 120M, 140M, 160M - Initial Forward Gear Limit = 5F, Initial reverse Gear Limit = 4R

If the initial gear configurations are set to a gear that is lower than the limit gear, the initial shift out of Neutral will be to the lower configured gear

• (14M, 16M) - Implementation of a transmission control "Speed Matching" shift strategy. The intent of this strategy is to help protect the drive train components from overspeed conditions and from excessive torque loading when the transmission is shifted from a neutralized state to a forward or reverse gear that is not appropriate for the machine speed. The ECM will use the transmission output speed (TOS) to determine the machine speed.

As on the other M Series models, the ECM software will limit the highest gear range that can be configured for the "Initial Forward Gear" and the "Initial Reverse Gear" to 4F and 3R. The initial gear configuration defaults are 3F and 3R after a software flash.

In addition, the ECM will use the speed match strategy to ensure that the transmission is in an appropriate gear range when in a neutralized state when the machine moving. A neutralized state includes being in Neutral or when the transmission is being partially or fully neutralized using the Inching Pedal while the machine is moving. When in the neutralized state, the ECM can shift the transmission to a travel speed appropriate gear which helps to avoid high torque loads and overspeed conditions when engaging the gear from the neutral state. Once the speed appropriate gear is engaged, the operator can shift to another gear if desired.

The Speed Matching feature can be overridden by the existing Engine Underspeed / Overspeed strategy, the Anti Stall strategy, or the Anti Skid strategy.

• (14M, 16M) - Implementation of a "Limited Inching" control strategy that affects the functionality of the inching pedal operation in higher gears. The strategy can be enabled using Cat ET in the Transmission Chassis ECM configuration menu. The "Inching Pedal Neutralizer Enable Status" configuration defaults to "Disabled". When the configuration is set to "Enabled", the ECM will allow normal inching pedal modulation control in gear 1, gear 2, and gear 3 in the forward and reverse direction. When in a forward or reverse gear higher than gear 3, the ECM will not act on the inching pedal position up to 90 percent of the pedal travel and will not modulate the transmission operation. When the pedal is depressed to at least 90 percent of travel or fully depressed for greater than 2 seconds, the ECM will neutralize the transmission. The intent of this strategy is to minimize wear to the transmission components that can be caused by excessive and repeated use of inching pedal modulation in the higher gears. The recommended setting for this feature is "Enabled" due the expected benefit of increased transmission durability that the feature offers.

• (16M, 24M) - Improvement to the Auto Lube control logic for the hydraulically driven pump. The auto lube cycle will automatically reset and start a new lube cycle after engine start when the cycle has been interrupted and not completed by an unexpected engine stop.

• (16M, 24M) - Improvement to the operational logic for the Differential Lock feature in order to provide a higher level of performance when the differential lock function is active.

• (24M) - Improvement to support a Hydraulic Oil Level monitoring feature and an oil level warning event. This feature is enabled using Cat ET as a Software Enabled Attachment (SEA). A factory password is required to enable this feature. When enabled, the hydraulic oil level in the tank is displayed in the Cat ET Transmission Chassis ECM status screen. The oil level status can be monitored in a Messenger display menu. To access the status in Messenger, from the main menu, select Service, select System Parameters, select Implement and view the "Hyd Oil Level". The display will indicate a percentage of oil that is in the hydraulic tank. If the percentage of oil in the tank is less than 47 percent for more than 5 seconds, a Level 1, E235 (Low Hydraulic Oil Level) Event will be activated. Once the oil level increases to greater than 67 percent for more than 5 seconds, the level 1 event will reset. If the percentage of oil in the tank is less than 23 percent for more than 5 seconds, a Level 3, E235 Event will be activated. Once the oil level increases to greater than 43 percent for more than 5 seconds, the level 3 event will reset.

• (24M) - Improvement to the Transmission Fill Calibration to minimize instances where the calibration can be aborted due to the temperature of the transmission oil being above the conditional high temperature threshold. The high temperature threshold has been increased from 90° C (194° F) to 95° C (203° F).

Implement and Steering Software (Implement ECM)

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to support the installation and operation of the left hand and right-hand Advanced Control Joysticks (ACJ). The ACJs attach to the existing left hand and right-hand joysticks. The controls on the ACJs will take the place of the Cat Grade Control or Accugrade push-button controls. The ACJ controls can also be configured to control any of the auxiliary hydraulic valves that can be installed on the machine. The ACJs will be standard on production machines that have the Cat Grade Control attachment and offered as an attachment on production machines with the Attachment Ready Option (ARO). A field installation kit is available that will enable the installation of the ACJs on M Series, M Series 2 field machines. M Series 3 field machines will be supported in the next scheduled software update. For more information and ACJ installation instructions on field machines, refer to Special Instruction, REHS8847, "Procedure For Installation of the Right Hand and Left Hand Advanced Control Joysticks on M Series, M Series 2, and M Series 3 Motor Graders".

• (All M Series Models) - An improvement to support individual implement function lockouts that will enable a specific implement function to be disabled when the machine is in operation with the Implement Lockout Switch in the OFF (not locked out) position. The implement functions that can be individually locked out are:

(a) Articulation

(b) Blade Pitch

(c) Wheel Lean

(d) Center Sideshift

Cat ET is required to configure the implement function lockouts. The default status of each function is "Not Locked Out". To enable the lock out feature, any number of the listed function configurations is changed to "Locked Out". Change the function status with the key on, engine off. The articulation lockout status needs to be set with the machine articulation in the centered position. Once a feature or several features are locked out using Cat ET, the specific functions will be locked in the last controlled position. The ECM will not allow the specific locked out function to be controlled during machine operation. The Implement Lockout switch operation is not affected. When in the ON (locked out) position, all implement functions will continue to be locked out. If the machine articulation function is locked out, the Return to Center push button on the left-hand joystick will continue to function as normally.

An Implement Service Mode is available in the Messenger that will allow the operator or technician to override the individual implement locked out functions in order to re-position the locked out function(s). To activate the Implement Service Mode, the engine must be running and the Parking Brake must be engaged. If the Parking Brake is disengaged while in the Service Mode, the Service Mode will be canceled. Once the Service Mode is no longer active, the implement functions will be locked out in the last controlled position. To access the Implement Service Mode in the Messenger, from the Main Menu, select "Settings", select "Implement", then select "Service Mode".

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to support a Blade Rotation Angle Limit feature on machines that have a blade rotation sensor installed for a grade control system. The intent of this feature is to limit the controlled blade rotation angle in both directions in order to avoid blade contact with other machine components. To activate this feature, Cat ET must be used to access the Implement Configuration Menu. The "Blade Rotation Angle Limit Enable Status" must be set to "Enabled". The default status is "Disabled". The configurable blade rotation range is 0 degrees to 160 degrees. The 0 degree position is when the blade is perpendicular to the frame rail. Once enabled, the default rotation angle limit is set to 33 degrees. The setting can be changed in the "Blade Rotation Angle Limit" configuration. When the rotation limit is set to 33 degrees, the ECM will limit blade rotation in both directions to 33 degrees.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the Cat Grade Control (Cross Slope) sensor or valve calibration process to minimize machine conditions that can cause the calibration to be aborted. When the required machine conditions are met to enable the calibration process to begin, the process will no longer be aborted if one or more that the required conditions are no longer met while the calibration is in process. A warning will be display on the Cat ET calibration screen to notify that the machine condition is no longer in the required range and the calibration will be allowed to proceed. The required machine conditions that are allowed to be out of range after the calibration process begins are, Park Brake Set, Machine Articulation out of range by 1 degree, Blade in Float on either side and Sensor Data not stable. If a diagnostic code is activated for a component that is involved in the calibration process, the calibration process will be still aborted as usual.

• (All M Series Models Except 120M) - Support for a new steering system configuration. The "Steering System Configuration Code" is used on 24M machines that have the Gen II steering Valve. The default configuration value is set to "1". On 24M models with the Gen II Steering Valve, this configuration should be set to 2. For all other M Series models, this configuration must remain set to "1".

• (All M Series Models Except 120M) - Support for a new steering system calibration. The "Arm Steering System / Solenoid" calibration. This calibration is only used on 24M machines that are equipped with the Gen II Steering Valve to calibrate the primary steering solenoid valves. This calibration is not required to be run on other M Series Models and should not be run on any machines that are not equipped with the Gen II Steering Valve.

All Wheel Drive Software (AWD ECM)

• Improvements to steering system logic in order to support future system updates. No changes to the operational control logic.

Messenger Software Improvements for All M Series Models

• Added display support for the "Joystick Grade Control" menu in order to allow display of the Advanced Control Joystick parameters.

• Added display support for the new Cat Grade Control (Cross Slope) calibration errors "Angle Sensor Data Not Stabilized" and "Blade Rotation Out of Range".

• The activation level for the Implement ECM activated CID 871, FMI 09 (Inclination Sensor, Abnormal Update Rate), CID 908, FMI 09 (Blade rotation Position Sensor, Abnormal Update Rate) and CID 3694, FMI 09 (Blade Slope Sensor) has been changed from a level 2 diagnostic to a level 1 diagnostic. In addition, warning level for the CID 246, FMI 09 (Proprietary CAN Data Link, Abnormal Update Rate) that is activated by the Implement ECM for an issue in the CAN B Data Link has been changed from a level 2 to a level 1.

• Added display support for the new serial number prefix B94 that is assigned to the 14L AWD Motor Grader.

• Added display support for the Implement Service Mode that will enable overrides of the individual configured implement lockouts. When in Implement Service Mode, temporary control of the locked out functions is enabled when the engine is running and the Parking Brake is engaged. The Parking Brake cannot be disengaged while in the Implement Service Mode.

• Changed the Maximum Launch Gear Limit configured parameters to limit maximum forward and minimum reverse gears that can be used when initiating a shift from Neutral in a forward gear or reverse gear.

14M, C13 Engine Software Improvements

• Implementation of a "Engine Idle Speed Management" control strategy that can be enabled using Cat ET in the Engine ECM configuration menu. The "Engine Idle Speed Management Enabled Status" configuration defaults to "Disabled". When the configuration is set to "Enabled" and the transmission is shifted from Neutral to a forward or reverse gear, the ECM will increase the engine idle speed from 800 rpm to 1000 rpm when no throttle command is present. The idle speed will remain at 1000 rpm while the transmission is in a gear. When shifting from a forward or reverse gear to Neutral, the ECM will maintain the engine idle speed at 1000 rpm for 5 seconds and then return to the normal 800 rpm low idle speed. When the transmission is neutralized while in a gear by use of the inching pedal, the low idle speed will remain at 1000 rpm. The intent of this strategy is to limit power train torsional spikes that can be caused by shift gears with the engine speed at the 800 rpm low idle.

• The Level 3, E265 (User Defined Shutdown) Event is no longer supported. A new Level 1, E678 (Ground Level Shutdown) is now supported that will alert the operator that the ground level shutdown switch has been activated to shut down the engine. When the E678 Event is activated, the event will be displayed and not logged.

16M, C13 Engine Software Improvements

• Implementation of a "Engine Idle Speed Management" control strategy that can be enabled using Cat ET in the Engine ECM configuration menu. The "Engine Idle Speed Management Enabled Status" configuration defaults to "Disabled". When the configuration is set to "Enabled" and the transmission is shifted from Neutral to a forward or reverse gear, the ECM will increase the engine idle speed from 800 rpm to 1000 rpm when no throttle command is present. The idle speed will remain at 1000 rpm while the transmission is in a gear. When shifting from a forward or reverse gear to Neutral, the ECM will maintain the engine idle speed at 1000 rpm for 5 seconds and then return to the normal 800 rpm low idle speed. When the transmission is neutralized while in a gear by use of the inching pedal, the low idle speed will remain at 1000 rpm. The intent of this strategy is to limit power train torsional spikes that can be caused by shifting gears with the engine speed at the 800 rpm low idle. The recommended setting for this feature is "Enabled" due the expected benefit of increased transmission durability that the feature offers.

• Enhancement to add a new "Optimum Power" engine power setting that can be enabled using Cat ET in the Engine ECM "Engine Configuration Parameters" menu. This feature is a Software Enabled Attachment (SEA). The "Number of Available Engine Power Levels" configuration defaults to "4" which is the setting for standard power. Changing the "Number of Available Engine Power Levels" configuration requires a factory password. A window will indicate that there is a charge for this SEA, however, no charges will be invoiced for this SEA when used to enable the Optimum Power setting on 16M models. When the engine power levels setting needs to be changed, the settings that can be configured are:

(a) 4-Standard (Std.)

(b) 6-Optimum (Opt.)

(c) 8-VHP Plus

When the new optimum power setting (6) is configured, the ECM will adjust the engine working torque output level in each gear range to provide a level of performance that can help to provide increased durability for the components in the power train system. The default power setting is set to "Standard" (4). The recommended setting for this feature is "Optimum" (6) due the expected benefit of drive line component durability that this power setting offers.

• The Level 3, E265 (User Defined Shutdown) Event is no longer supported. A new Level 1, E678 (Ground Level Shutdown) is now supported that will alert the operator that the ground level shutdown switch has been activated to shut down the engine. When the E678 Event is activated, the event will be displayed and not logged.

The new software is adaptable to and is effective in production for the serial number prefixes that are listed in Table 5.