Caterpillar Announces the First-of-Its-Kind Electric Drive Track-Type Tractor
PR Newswire
10:00 AM ET
In a move that further positions it as the world's leading manufacturer of earthmoving equipment, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) is unveiling the first innovative AC electric drive track-type tractor in the industry. The revolutionary electric drive system developed for track-type tractors gives the D7E an unmatched balance of power, efficiency, control and maneuverability. The machine will be showcased at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2008 March 11-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"The D7E offers a quantum leap in customer value through significant productivity increases and reduced owning and operating costs," said Mark Pflederer, vice president of Caterpillar's Heavy Construction & Mining Division. "This is another example of Caterpillar's global technology leadership an d commitment to sustainable innovation which is not only good for our customers economics, but the environment as well."

From a performance standpoint, this new product demonstrates Caterpillar's commitment to the industry with a machine that does more work and consumes less fuel and parts while providing customers with lower operating costs. Caterpillar plans to commercially introduce the D7E in select markets during 2009.

"From an environmental sustainability perspective, the D7E uses substantially less fuel per hour -- dramatically reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions," said Caterpillar Group President Stu Levenick. "This revolutionary design consumes fewer resources over its working life than any other track-type tractor in its class. All major components are engineered to be rebuilt or reused in the future."

The D7E is in the 60,000-pound (27 000-kilogram) weight range and is powered by a Cat(R) C9 engine producing 235 horsepower (175 kilowatts). A traditional mechanical transmission is not needed, because the variable speed electric motors serve the function of a continuously variable transmission. The electric drive train has 60 percent fewer moving parts compared to previous D7s. The electric system also provides power to auxiliary components so that no engine belts are needed. The C9 engine, complete with ACERT(R) Technology, meets U.S. Tier 3 emissions standards, and the tractor has been designed with Tier 4 in mind. The new D7E has other innovative new features including an exclusive center-post cab, beltless engine and SystemOne(TM) undercarriage.

For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2007 sales and revenues of $44.958 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at www.cat.com . < br xmlns:ms="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xslt" xmlns:dt="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:datatypes" />
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Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may cause actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as "will," " we are," "expect," "anticipate" or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements made on behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actual results of the company may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward-looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions; currency exchange or interest rates; political stability; market acceptance of the company's products and services; significant changes in the competitive environment; epidemic diseases; changes in law, regulations and tax rates; and other general economic, business and financing conditions and factors described in more detail in the company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2008. This filing is available on our website at www.cat.com/sec_filings . We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.

www.CAT.com

Its good to see an American Company leading out front.

Yes, but ...

LeTourneau used diesel-electric power (similar to a railroad locomotive) 50 to 60 years ago in his earthmoving equipment. Good to see Cat trying to catch up.

Right on George, Railroad Locomotives have been doing this for decades!!

Heh heh .. the funny part about this "new development" .. is that Cat pooh-poohed electric drive for decades as a waste of good copper .. and went to town, on opposition manufacturers, such as R.G. LeTourneau .. pointing out all the terrible maintenance problems and drawbacks of the LeTourneau electrics .. when R.G. had excellent performance wheel motors, and electric motors driving winches on the Tournapulls, by the late 1940's .. after having built his first electric drive scraper in 1922!

My, how the worm turns! Diesel electric drive is a proven concept, it has been around for over 90 years (Porsche built the 1st gasoline/electric drive car in 1901!) .. and it has massive potential, that Cat have apparently, only just discovered ..

LeTourneau museum pics .. www.letu.edu/about_LU/museum/Museum_Onli...machines/page_1.html

OzDozer, thanks for the link. I looked at it. The photographs were very clear. LeTourneau also wrote an autobiography. I need to buy it. Anyone can find it from time to time as an out of print used book at www.bookfinder.com . GWH

George - The book, "Moving Heaven and Earth", by Donald F. Ackland, is R.G. LeTourneau's autobiography, and a great read about a man who stands out as giant in the equipment industry. The book is readily available .. I use .. biblio.com .. to source a lot of my books .. and there are currently 34 copies available ..

www.biblio.com/search.php?author=Ackland...=&format=any&stage=1

Another couple of worthy LeTourneau books, are the books by local LeTourneau expert, Phil Gowenlock .. LeTourneau Legend and the LeTourneau Archive. The first is the most comprehensive history of LeTourneau and his manufacturing output, that you will find .. the second is purely a book of full page classic LeTourneau archive photos, of virtually all of his machines.

Tournanet site books .. www.tournanet.com/books.htm

The LeTourneau Legend .. www.biblio.com/search.php?author=Gowenlo...=&format=any&stage=1

Regards - Ron ..

My thanks to OzDozer for his information! Very complete. GWH

Back in the 1960s I believe it was this R.R. Co up in Sayre Pa. sent several of the old Cat D17000 V-8 engines down to the shop that I rebuilt for them. They said there was two of the engines in one locomotive and I believe they said they were switcher locomotives that they were in. They powered a big generator in the locomotive. THe D17000 was about like the old 2U D8 engine as far as bore and stroke and with the outside tubes for the push rods.They had a single head for each cylinder and was a 90 degree block and also there were 4 blocks on them where the liners set in and the lower crankcase was a separate casting as the top blocks bolted to the lower crankcase block.They were a little different from the normal engine that Cat made at that time.The regular engine had a starting engine across the back like a D2,4,& 6 but was bigger.Those engines in the locomotives didn,t have a starting engine on them but motorized the generator some how to start them they said.

Hi SJ,
Since your on the topic of the D17000, I have a question for you on the pony engine they used. I guess you could say they were the Cadillac of pony engines as they had a water pump, oil pump and dual cam for the valves. I understand the early models also used tapered roller bearings outboard on the crank but were changed to the aluminum type on later editions. My question is about the tapered roller bearings and whether you recall there being any problem with them that led to the change.....or was it bean counters again:rolleyes:

Always thought it would be kind of neat to put taper roller bearings in the D2,4,6 ponies and have decent control of thrust instead of that Mickey Mouse pin arrangement.