Tractors Malaysia's new AP655D track-type asphalt paving machine unveiled

The AP655D features the proprietary Cat C6.6 engine with ACERT Technology, which incorporates a series of innovations that optimize engine performance while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 3 and E.U Stage IIIa engine emission regulations.

The turbocharged, 6-cylinder diesel engine provides 129.5kW (174 hp) of gross power. It is designed for high-production paving applications where optimum paving quality is required at an efficient pace, including motorways, highways, airport runways, industrial sites and urban and rural roads.

The AP655D Paver was jointly unveiled by the President of Caterpillar's Global Paving, Mr Jim McReynolds, and Managing Director of Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd, Mr K.S. Chong, during Tractors Malaysia's "Paving All Day. Everyday" event held at its head office in Puchong.

Chong, in his speech, said there were many areas of marketing opportunities for the new Paver in line with the Malaysian government’s priority of improving infrastructure in rural areas.

"A major portion of this will include rural road construction and rehabilitation earmarked for Sabah and Sarawak. Another area of opportunity would be in the plantation sector where there is constant need for new roads, upgrading and maintenance work," he added.

Also present at the unveiling ceremony were over 150 industry representatives from various associations, including the Master Builders Association, Malaysian Quarry Association as well as key customers. They witnessed a live demonstration of the AP655D paver as well as viewed Tractors Malaysia's range of Cat Paving equipment at a specially set-up Machine Display gallery.

Tractors Malaysia began to aggressively market Caterpillar paving products in 2005. Since then, the dealership has taken its paving products to new heights and was awarded Caterpillar’s Top Performing Paving Products Dealer in the Asia Pacific District for 2010.

Today, Tractors Malaysia is the market leader in the sale of Caterpillar’s Vibratory Soil Compactors, with the CS533E being the best selling model. A number of CS533E compactors were used during the earthmoving phase of KLIA2 (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) project.

Since Caterpillar's launch of this product in Malaysia in 2007, the CS533E has attained almost 50% market share in a highly competitive market. Tractors Malaysia intends to replicate this performance with the AP655D Asphalt Paver.
Tractors Malaysia's annual Paving Day is one of the platforms for Caterpillar and its dealership in Malaysia to demonstrate their commitment to customers by sharing the latest product innovations, knowledge and experience.

About Tractors Malaysia

The Tractors Malaysia-Caterpillar dealership under Sime Darby Industrial Sdn. Bhd. has been managing Caterpillar’s heavy equipment business in Malaysia since 1929. It is a partnership between Malaysia's multinational, Sime Darby Berhad, and Caterpillar, the world’s number one manufacturer of heavy equipment and power systems.

Tractors Malaysia forms part of the Sime Darby Industrial Division, a core division of the Sime Darby Group. Sime Darby Industrial covers the Asia Pacific region with heavy equipment operations in Malaysia, Brunei, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Maldives, Christmas Island, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Nauru.

In Malaysia, Tractors Malaysia offers a comprehensive list of heavy equipment and services, ranging from the sales of new machines, engines and used equipment to after sales support and rental equipment through its chain of Cat Rental Stores nationwide. Tractors Malaysia currently operates through a nationwide network of 23 branches, 4 depots and 7 Cat Rental Stores.