Verified model comparison
Compare machine architecture, lift planning and transport preparation; this is not a substitute for a lift chart.
The PL83 sideboom and rotating PL4809E serve different movement and positioning needs. Compare the approved load charts for the actual boom, counterweight, ground and lift radius, then determine how the machine must travel or reposition. A maximum capacity headline cannot establish a usable load at the planned reach.
The PL83 source provides tractor and operating dimensions but does not establish a complete boom-configured transport envelope. The PL4809E reference follows a particular transport drawing with stated shoes and boom preparation. Do not combine those bases or use the illustration as a measured outline.
Use qualified inspection for structural members, ropes, winches, hooks, limiting systems and documented repairs. Verify the installed counterweight and any boom extension. Include transport preparation, rigging, inspection records and required support equipment in the purchase decision instead of treating engine hours as a condition certificate.
Generation/configuration-aware: measurement basis and reference configuration travel with each value. A difference in basis is not treated as a performance difference.
| Specification | Caterpillar PL83 Pipelayer | Volvo Construction Equipment PL4809E Pipelayer |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Length | 17 ft 11 in5.45 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | Not published in this research record |
| Width of Tractor — counterweight retracted | 13 ft 6 in4.11 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | Not published in this research record |
| Width of Tractor — counterweight extended | 19 ft 11 in6.07 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | Not published in this research record |
| Height of Machine — Cab and ROPS | 11 ft 7 in3.53 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | Not published in this research record |
| Track Gauge | 7 ft 8 in2.34 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | Not published in this research record |
| Ground Clearance — per SAE J1234 | 1 ft 7 in0.47 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | 2 ft 0 in600 mmPL4809E Stage V column; 750 mm shoes, track frame retracted, cab lowered with ROPS, boom aligned for transport and extension stowed/removed. Standard rear counterweight; added counterweight and raised cab are separate configurations. |
| Boom Length — selected reference | 20 ft6.1 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | 30 ft 4 in9,250 mmPL4809E Stage V column; 750 mm shoes, track frame retracted, cab lowered with ROPS, boom aligned for transport and extension stowed/removed. Standard rear counterweight; added counterweight and raised cab are separate configurations. |
| Boom Height — at SAE 1.22 m (4 ft) overhang, 6.1 m (20 ft) boom | 22 ft 4 in6.78 mPL83 column only; dedicated sideboom pipelayer with enclosed cab/ROPS and retractable counterweight. Working boom-height entry uses the 6.1 m / 20 ft boom at the stated 1.22 m / 4 ft overhang. | Not published in this research record |
| Gesamt-Transportlänge — Auslegerverlängerung verstaut/abgebaut (total transport length; extension stowed/removed) | Not published in this research record | 50 ft 1 in15,260 mmPL4809E Stage V column; 750 mm shoes, track frame retracted, cab lowered with ROPS, boom aligned for transport and extension stowed/removed. Standard rear counterweight; added counterweight and raised cab are separate configurations. |
| Gesamt-Transportbreite — Maschinenbreite eingefahren (transport width; tracks retracted) | Not published in this research record | 10 ft 4 in3,140 mmPL4809E Stage V column; 750 mm shoes, track frame retracted, cab lowered with ROPS, boom aligned for transport and extension stowed/removed. Standard rear counterweight; added counterweight and raised cab are separate configurations. |
| Gesamthöhe, Kabine in unterer Stellung mit ROPS (overall height; cab lowered with ROPS) | Not published in this research record | 12 ft 1 in3,680 mmPL4809E Stage V column; 750 mm shoes, track frame retracted, cab lowered with ROPS, boom aligned for transport and extension stowed/removed. Standard rear counterweight; added counterweight and raised cab are separate configurations. |
| Gesamtbreite — ausgefahrene Spurbreite (overall width; tracks extended) | Not published in this research record | 11 ft 11 in3,640 mmPL4809E with 750 mm shoes and track frame extended; operating configuration. |
| Heckschwenkradius (tail-swing radius) | Not published in this research record | 12 ft 9 in3,880 mmPL4809E Stage V column; 750 mm shoes, track frame retracted, cab lowered with ROPS, boom aligned for transport and extension stowed/removed. Standard rear counterweight; added counterweight and raised cab are separate configurations. |
| Auslegerlänge — Auslegerverlängerung (boom length with extension) | Not published in this research record | 36 ft 11 in11,250 mmPL4809E with the optional boom extension deployed; not the selected transport arrangement. |
The PL83 is a dedicated sideboom pipelayer. Its tractor footprint, counterweight envelope and boom working height are separate measurements; this reference does not turn them into a single transport envelope.
ExploreThe PL4809E is a rotating pipelayer. The Stage V reference distinguishes a retracted transport arrangement from the extended track stance and optional boom extension used in other configurations.
ExploreCarry utilization, fuel, wear, attachments and transport into an editable planning model.
ExploreNo winner is declared. Job fit depends on configuration, condition, dealer support, attachments, transport and cost assumptions beyond these published figures.