Paving the Way: New D9 Setup Rolls Out to the Oskaloosa Bypass

Think of it like track shoes for a sprinter—you wouldn’t show up to the Olympics in high heels. And when it comes to moving dirt, the same principle applies. We’ve just outfitted one of our Caterpillar D9s with a brand-new shoe setup—a double grouser configuration designed specifically for high-production hauling.

The result? A smoother ride for the operator (26% less vibration, to be exact) and a much-improved horsepower-to-load ratio. This setup isn’t just theoretical—it’s getting put to the test in the field. In about two weeks, we’ll be rolling out three of these D9s to the Oskaloosa Bypass project: a massive 3-million-yard job stretched across three miles of Iowa landscape.

It’s a return to a method that some thought was left in the past—D9s paired with scrapers—but we’re bringing it back with modern enhancements. Power density has evolved, too: where once these machines delivered 70 horsepower, they’re now pushing 770. That’s an eleven-fold increase in engine density, giving us more muscle per pound than ever before.

We’re excited to see how this new combo performs on a major job site, and of course, we’ll bring back footage, photos, and stories from the field so you can see the results for yourself.

Stay tuned—and remember: when it comes to dirt work, the right shoes make all the difference.