21 February 2011 Twelve months on from his exclusive report from Preoria USA on the launch of the diesel-electric drive CAT D7E, Waste Management World magazine's transport, collection and plant correspondent Malcolm Bates has been to Slovakia to drive a waste handler specification machine operating on a landfill site near the capital Bratislava.
One of the principal claims made by Caterpillar Corporation is that this new design of transmission significantly reduces stress, shock and vibration - to both the machine itself and of course the driver - and as a result, should be more reliable and productive in service as a result.
The diesel electric drive system also contains fewer components - so in a tough working environment such as a waste landfill site, service life should be extended, compared to machines with a conventional torque convertor, or hydrostatic transmission.
But the biggest claim of all in favour of switching to diesel electric drive is that of increased fuel economy. At the launch, Caterpillar conservatively expected the gain to be in the 10% to 15% range - a significant figure, that could equally mark a useful reduction in CO2 (carbon footprint) levels. So how did these claims stand up to real life operation?
Malcolm gives a full account of his visit in the Landfill Operations Special in our next issue (March/April), but the headline news is that fuel consumption figures - based on a three day trial - can be expected to be much nearer to a 20% saving in fuel consumption, than 10%.
"In the context of the waste and recycling industry, that is sure to encourage both public sector commune and commercial waste contractor operators alike to take a serious look at specifying diesel-electric, or full hybrid transmission options," Malcolm explains.
"Our industry naturally has to be cautious in adopting new technology as it is often spending public or shareholder's money, but this case is different - it looks like a win-win situation."
The D7E is both easier to drive and less likely to suffer abuse. It helps reduce fuel costs - which is a physical operational advantage - while also reducing carbon footprint and operating noise levels. And that's a major public relations gain. I can't wait to try a diesel electric wheeled loader and 360 wheely," he adds.
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