Cat to Build Electric LHD

Caterpillar reported it would develop a lithium-ion battery-powered R1700 LHD that would feature onboard charging. The R1700 was introduced in 2018 as a new design and featured a fuel-saving electrohydraulic system that provided increased loader forces for improved digging, the company reported. The battery-powered loader will leverage components from the Cat Microgrid solution. A proof-of-concept unit trialed prior to the releases of both the R1700 and Cat’s MEC 500 fast-charging system reportedly exhibited more than a tenfold decrease in total energy costs, nearly eight times less heat generated, significantly less noise, immediate torque availability, reduced dust levels, and reduced tire wear. Additional expected benefits include improved safety and production.

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