Move your mouse over the green dots to see what’s happening currently with these technologies and what may lie ahead.
Volvo Gryphin
The Volvo Gryphin is a futuristic loader concept that could utilize an electric hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell powertrain technology when it becomes available.
Videos:
Volvo GRYPHIN - Volvo's Futuristic Loader concept machine
Volvo Hybrid L220F HybriPower Wheel Loader
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First Mass-produced Hybrid Wheel Loader
Electric Machines in the Distant Horizon
Allison 1000/2000 On-road Transmissions
The addition of fifth-generation advanced electronic controls enhances operation and prognostics capability of the Allison 1000/2000 on-road transmissions. In addition, provisions such as turbine-driven power take-off (PTO) with optional neutral lock-up and a parking pawl are available.
Advanced Electronics and Telematics
Advanced electronic controls coupled with telematics provide a wealth of information that can be used to track productivity and machine health.
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Volvo SFINX Concept Excavator
The SFINX is Volvo Construction Equipment’s concept of an excavator for the future.
Videos:
Spirit Magazine: GAIAX Concept Compact Excavator
Hyundai Construction Equipment Concept Model Excavator
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Caterpillar D7E Crawler Dozer
By adapting electric drive technology to the unique requirements of dozer applications, Caterpillar developed the D7E crawler dozer. The innovative diesel-electric powertrain is designed to burn considerably less fuel and consume fewer fluids and parts for reduced owning and operating costs.
Videos:
Look at the Cat® D7E Mid-Sized Dozer - Inside and Out
Cat® D7E with Electric Drive | First Impressions
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John Deere Keyless Start
Electronic features such as this John Deere keyless start sealed-switch feature with an anti-theft system will continue to make machines easier to track and operate.
John Deere 644K and 944K Hybrid Loaders
Many companies have begun to introduce diesel-electric hybrid technology to the market. John Deere currently offers the 644K and 944K hybrid wheel loaders. The 644K hybrid features reduced mechanical complexity and consumes an average of 25% less fuel than a conventional 644K with lockup torque converter.
Videos:
John Deere 644K Hybrid Wheel Loader
John Deere 644K Hybrid Loader at World of Concrete 2013
Customers Comment on John Deere 644K Hybrid Loader
John Deere 944K Hybrid Wheel Loader
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Ricardo HFX with Flywheel Energy Recovery
The Ricardo High Efficiency Excavator (HFX) with flywheel energy recovery technology stores vehicle energy in a flywheel for simpler hybrid fuel savings. This mechanical hybrid eliminates the high cost of battery technology, plus performance doesn’t degrade over time like a battery powered system.
Videos:
Ricardo Offers Flywheel Option for Hybrid Fuel Savings
Ricardo High Efficiency Excavator (HFX) with Flywheel Energy Recovery Technology
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, will continue to find significant applications on construction jobsites, from tracking jobsite progress to performing inspections without putting employees in harm’s way. Expect the technology to really take off once the FAA publishes its final rules on commercial UAS in late 2016 or early 2017. In the meantime, you need to apply to the FAA for an exemption to legally fly UAS on your jobsites.
High-energy Battery Technology
Companies such as Johnson Controls are continually improving high-energy battery technology, which is necessary for electric hybrids. This technology might make more electric equipment possible in the future.
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Komatsu PC210LCi-10 Excavator
The Komatsu PC210LCi-10 intelligent Machine Control excavator features Komatsu’s machine control and guidance technologies. Thanks to the exclusive control function, the PC210LCi-10 goes beyond simple guidance to semi-automatically limit over-excavation and trace a target surface.
Videos:
PC210LCi-10 Hydraulic Excavator
Features of the Komatsu PC210LCi-10 Intelligent Machine Control Excavator
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Technologies Align to Advance Equipment Design
Komatsu Hybrid Excavators
Komatsu uses electric hybrid technology for its excavators. Instead of using a battery, the Komatsu hybrid uses an ultra-capacitor to capture swing energy and then power the electric swing motor. The result is about a 20% reduction in fuel consumption over a conventional excavator.
Video:
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Liebherr HS 8300 HD Crane
The 300-metric-ton-class Liebherr HS 8300 HD duty cycle crawler crane features the powerful and energy saving Pactronic hybrid drive system, which stores excess energy by charging hydraulic accumulators and regenerates it during high-demand effort.
Video:
EcoVolve ED1000 Dumper
The 1-ton, 100% electric EcoVolve ED1000 dumper has no fumes, requires no fuel or fuel storage and produces very little noise. An integrated charging system automatically picks the correct voltage from a power source, and charging overnight allows the ED1000 to go a full workday without stopping.
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Electric Machines on the Distant Horizon
Odyne Truck Parallel Hybrid System
The Odyne truck parallel hybrid system integrates standard advanced control systems and its modular hybrid system. This combination retains the flexibility to be built to customer specifications, plus enables later modifications that can extend the life of your hybrid truck.
Video:
Odyne Advanced Hybrid System v5
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Odyne Hybrid System with JDES PD300 Inverter
Odyne Systems, LLC, a leading manufacturer of hybrid systems for trucks over 14,000 lbs., is working with John Deere Electronic Solutions (JDES) as a key supplier, delivering customer value in an Odyne hybrid system using the JDES PD300 power inverter. The JDES power inverter drives a Remy electric motor, proven in over 2 billion road miles, both during drive time providing launch assist and at the jobsite with the engine off, allowing for quiet, zero emission, fuel-efficient neighborhood operation.
Oerlikon Fairfield Hybrid Electric Drivetrain
Oerlikon Fairfield’s patent-pending hybrid electric drivetrain technology is a complete series electric driveline system from engine to wheel featuring an innovative energy recovery system. It is the first of its type to be designed by a company specializing in drive solutions.
Oerlikon Fairfield Hybrid Electric Concept
The Oerlikon-Fairfield hybrid electric concept technology is designed for a wheel loader, but consists of modular components that can be configured for a broad range of applications.
Oerlikon Fairfield Hybrid System with Ultra-Capacitor
The Oerlikon-Fairfield hybrid system uses an ultra-capacitor bank to store energy developed by the generator or recovered through braking.
Oerlikon Fairfield Hybrid System with 65-kW Motors
The Oerlikon-Fairfield hybrid electric drivetrain features 65-kW reluctance motors to provide constant power over a wide speed range.
Oerlikon Fairfield Hybrid System Control Unit
The system control unit and logic for the Oerlikon Fairfield hybrid system is being supplied by U.K.-based Vocis Ltd.
Odyne Hybrid System with Remy Electric Motor
Odyne’s hybrid system relies on a Remy electric motor for drive functionality while the vehicle is in motion.
Trimble VisionLink
Telematic systems, such as Trimble VisionLink, allow equipment and productivity to be more easily tracked, providing contractors with real-time data to make better informed decisions.
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Caterpillar 336E H Excavator
The Caterpillar 336E H excavator features hydraulic hybrid technology. It uses recovered energy from the swing to load trucks all day long, while consuming up to 33% less fuel than the conventional Caterpillar 336D doing the same amount of work.
Videos:
Caterpillar: The Untold Experiment Behind the Hybrid Excavator
How Does Cat's 336E Hybrid Excavator Conserve Fuel, Optimize Performance and Reuse Energy?
Cat 336E H Hybrid Excavator Dealer Operators' First Impressions
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Different Types of Hybrid Technologies Emerge