Caterpillar’s New D7E Diesel-Electric Hybrid Tractor

[madokie]

Awesome if its what they're saying here.

Caterpillar\'s new D7E tractor matches diesel-electric hybrid power with high maneuverability.

As a construction industry giant, Caterpillar is best known for moving earth, and now the company seems ready to move the entire off-road vehicle and equipment sector into more sustainable technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and cuts reliance on fossil fuels.

With its new D7E tractor, Caterpillar is out to demonstrate that a diesel-electric hybrid tractor can save fuel and beat the performance of diesel-only equipment. If it proves a successful mix of energy-efficient power and maneuverability, the D7E could inspire other manufacturers to adopt hybrid technology for a wide range of offroad vehicles and equipment, including smaller engines that account of a significant chunk of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., such lawn mowers and ATV’s.


Caterpillar’s New D7E Diesel-Electric Hybrid Tractor

Caterpillar has delivered its first D7E to TJ Lambrecht, a major U.S. construction company. The D7E looks like a conventional track-type tractor, but its diesel engine drives a generator that delivers AC current to two electric motors. The system also converts AC current into DC current, which is used to power accessories including heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and water pumps. The company estimates that the electric drives result in improved maneuverability, which in turn enables the D7E to move about 25% more cubic yards per gallon of fuel, and then some. In addition to conserving fuel, the hybrid system involves about 60% fewer moving parts and has a longer lifespan than drive conventional systems.
Beyond Tractors

A new federal report indicates that the roll-out of plug-in hybrid vehicles is building too slowly and will not have a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions for quite some time, but Caterpillar’s new tractor might help light a fire under the hybrid industry and speed things up a bit. UPS and Coca-Cola are two other industry leaders that are beginning to commit their vast fleets to hybrid technology for heavy duty vehicles. On the consumer end, at least one startup company is making a go of converting the ubiquitous Ford F-150 pickup truck into fuel efficient electric hybrids.


http://gas2.org/2009/12/23/caterpillars-d7e-diesel-electic-hybrid-tractor-is-an-earth-friendlier-earth-mover/#comment-144757

[Robb]

1. I read about this over the summer

It's a bit of a tough sell, but I expect municipalities -- or anyone else that long-term leases big equipment -- might get on board. It's (IIRC) a $600,000 machine instead of a $500,000 machine, but Cat says you'll be in the black on that difference within 3 years. So if you're in a 5-year lease it makes good sense.

We'll see. Good for them on trying.

[Schema Thing]

2. This is the future of heavy equipment

I've thought this since the first Prius and Insights rolled off the lines.

As much as it makes good sense for electric motors to be turning the wheels of cars, it makes even more sense for them to be turning the wheels of massive equipment.

[madokie]

3. The big trucks they haul the coal with are diesel electrics

I like the 60% fewer parts part. The fewer the parts the fewer the possible problems can be.

[Schema Thing]

4. that is neat

and it foretells how quickly this technology is going to take off. That's the beauty of industrial machinery/transportation vs the consumer markets: the math comes into focus much quicker and easier.

[TxRider]

7. And strangeley enough, the past too

It's been used in train locomotives and ships for a very long time.

[HereSince1628]

5. What's hybrid about this? It seems this is about replacing a transmission

with a generator and motors. It may be an efficient design, but it's still based on diesel fuel that runs an engine that spins the generator.

Hybrid refers to more than energy sources?

[madokie]

6. I figured that hybrid meant that it was using two separate power sources

in this case a diesel and an electric motor. But basically all they are doing is doing away with the transmission like you said. Diesel electric or hybrid either way it's an improvement

[TxRider]

8. Simple

"hybrid drive", hybrid drive system.

Like a Prius. A hybrid car that gets all its energy from gasoline.

[HereSince1628]

9. Hmm, I thought Prius switched between battery and internal combustion

Granted, without a plug in to the grid all its power comes from an engine.

But, when it's charged it does switch off the engine and runs from the battery doesn't it?

[TxRider]

10. Yes

It can run on the battery for a very short distance, but it still gets 100% power from the gas engine.

I don't think it has significant battery storage, if it did it could drive on it short distances as well.

The Chevy Volt would be more what your talking about, getting power from either the grid or an onboard gas powered generator. A small diesel generator would be more efficient though.