The Caterpillar C280-12 is a 222 L 12-cylinder ta engine rated at 900 rpm, producing up to 3800 kW. It powers generator sets from Caterpillar. It holds 918 L (242.5 gal) of oil and 864 L (228.2 gal) of coolant.
Also known as: Caterpillar C280-12
Part of the Caterpillar C280 engine family — 4 variants share parts & fitment.
| Oil capacity | 918.0 L |
|---|---|
| Coolant capacity | 864.0 L |
| Displacement | 222.0 L |
| Cylinders | 12 |
| Aspiration | TA |
| Rated speed | 900 rpm |
| Gross power | 3800 kW |
| Item | Spec | Capacity | Part # | Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air filter | dual element, installed | — | |||
| Fuel filter | — | ||||
| Oil filter | — | ||||
| Coolant | 864.0 L | — | |||
| Oil | 918.0 L | — |
Pooled from every document that names this exact engine — confirm the interval and part number against your unit's serial number.
| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| oil | Change | 1000 hr | Deep sump oil pan — 1000 hour |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | Compression Ratio | 13:1 | ||
| Other | Gross Input Torque (TH55-E70) | 12 667 | N•m (9350 lb-ft) | |
| Other | Gross Input Torque (TH55-E90) | 12 677 | N•m (9350 lb-ft) | |
| Other | Rated altitude @ 25°C | 150 | m | 25°C |
| Other | Rating condition (diesel 7 L and higher) | 99 kPa (29.31 in Hg) dry barometer, 25°C (77°F) | SAE J1995 inlet air standard | |
| Other | Rating condition (diesel up to 6.6 L) | 100 kPa (29.5 in Hg) total barometric pressure, 1 kPa (.295 in Hg) vapor pressure, 25°C (77°F) | ISO/TR14396 inlet air standard | |
| Other | Rating condition (gas) | 100 kPa (29.61 in Hg) and 25°C (77°F) | SAE J1349 standard | |
| Other | Stall Torque Ratio (TH55-E70) | 2.23 | ||
| Other | Stall Torque Ratio (TH55-E90) | 2.23 | ||
| Pressure | BMEP @ 100% Load | 2198 | kPa | |
| Pressure | Firing Pressure, Maximum | 17300 | kPa | |
| Pressure | WS255 pump plunger load | 238,000 | lb (107,960 kg) | |
| Pressure | WS273XD pump plunger load | 275,000 | lb (124 738 kg) | |
| Pressure | WS305XD pump plunger load | 250,000 | lb (113 398 kg) | |
| Speed | Low Idle Speed | 350 | rpm | |
| Speed | Maximum Input Speed (TH55-E70/TH55-E90 transmissions) | 1970 | rpm | |
| Speed | Mean Piston Speed | 10 | m/s | |
| Speed | Mean Piston Speed | 9 | m/s | |
| Speed | Rated Input Speed (TH55-E70/TH55-E90 transmissions) | 1900 | rpm | |
| Speed | Rated Speed | 900 | rpm | |
| Speed | Rated Speed (RPM) | 1000 | rpm | Diesel Engine Technical Data |
| Speed | Rated speed | 1000 | rpm | |
| Temperature | Aftercooler Water | 32 | °C | |
| Temperature | Aftercooler water temperature | 32 | °C | |
| Temperature | Jacket Water Outlet | 90 | °C | |
| Temperature | Jacket water outlet temperature | 90 | °C |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
| Fluid | Grade | Standard | Ambient | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant | Cat DEAC | Diesel; 3,000 Service Hours or Three Years; annual S·O·SSM Level 2 coolant sampling and analysis | |||
| Coolant | Cat ELC | Diesel; 12,000 Service Hours or Six Years; add Cat ELC Extender at 6,000 service hours or one half of service life; annual S·O·SSM Level 2 coolant sampling and analysis | |||
| Coolant | Cat NGEC | Natural Gas; 16,000 Service Hours or Three Years; use interval that occurs first | |||
| Engine oil | EPA 2D 89.330-96 (fuel reference, Diesel <6.6 L, density 0,845-0,850 kg/L a 15 °C) | Reference condition only, not a lubricant recommendation | |||
| Engine oil | Cat NGEO | Natural Gas | |||
| Engine oil | Cat Arctic DEO SYN SAE 0W-30 | -40°C to 30°C | Engine Crankcase; Industrial Engines | ||
| Engine oil | Cat DEO SYN SAE 5W-40 | -30°C to 50°C | Engine Crankcase; Industrial Engines | ||
| Engine oil | Cat DEO SAE 10W-30 | -18°C to 40°C | Engine Crankcase; Industrial Engines | ||
| Engine oil | Cat DEO SAE 15W-40 | -9°C to 50°C | Engine Crankcase; Industrial Engines | ||
| Fuel | 35° API, LHV 42 780 kJ/kg (18,390 Btu/lb), density 838,9 g/L (Diesel ≥7 L rating condition) | Reference fuel for Diesel rating conditions | |||
| Fuel | 35 API distillate | Lower heating value 42,780 kJ/kg; used at 29°C with density 838.9 g/liter | |||
| Fuel | 35 degrees API | Lower heating value 18,390 BTU/lb (42,780 kJ/kg) when used at 84.2 F (29 C) where the density is 7.001 lb/U.S. gal (838.9 g/L) | |||
| Fuel | 35° API gravity at 60°F (16°C) | LHV 18,390 Btu/lb (42 780 kJ/kg) | Fuel at 85°F (29°C) weighing 7.001 lbs/U.S. gal (838.9 g/liter) | ||
| Fuel | 35° API gravity, LHV 42 780 kJ/kg (18,390 btu/lb) | SAE J1995 | Diesel engines 7 liter and higher; used at 29°C (84.2°F) with density 838.9 g/L | ||
| Fuel | Distillate | 35 API, 16°C (60°F); LHV 42,780 kJ/kg; density 838.9 g/liter | |||
| Fuel | EPA 2D 89.330-96 | EPA 2D 89.330-96 | Diesel engines up to 6.6 liter; density 0.845-0.850 kg/L @ 15°C (59°F); fuel inlet temperature 40°C (104°F) | ||
| Fuel | dry natural gas, LHV 35.54 MJ/Nm3 (905 btu/ft3) | Gas ratings based on SAE J1349 standard conditions of 100 kPa (29.61 in Hg) and 25°C (77°F) | |||
| Grease | Cat Generator Set Grease | Part Number 108-8611 |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
| Voltage | Phase | Connection | Leads | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 3 | wye | 6 | two-bearing, brushless; voltage regulator optional |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Parts listed by aftermarket suppliers as fitting this engine — leads compiled from supplier catalogs; verify the exact part for your serial number.
The Caterpillar C280-12 engine has an oil capacity of 918.0 liters.
The Caterpillar C280-12 has a displacement of 222.0 liters with 12 cylinders.
The Caterpillar C280-12 powers 1 generator set(s), including Caterpillar C280-12.