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Leveraging expertise across the construction, quarrying and mining equipment giant’s global network of technical centres in the US, UK, China and India, the programme focuses initially on battery solutions for equipment used predominantly in industrial applications.   

The battery range, currently in prototype form, uses lithium-ion technology and features a modular design to optimise performance and packaging.

They have also been engineered with sustainability in mind throughout their lifecycle, with the potential to reuse and recycle the units at the end of their life.  

The development programme also encompasses inverters, motors, electronic controls, digital services, and other critical technologies to deliver the performance, reliability, durability, maintainability, and long-term value needed for equipment buyers working in harsh operating environments.  

“Caterpillar has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to sustainability through improvements in our operations and by helping our customers achieve their climate-related goals,” said Steve Ferguson, senior vice president Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems.  

“Our battery programme is our latest step in combining a wide-ranging inventory of innovations with extensive knowledge of the off-highway industry to offer solutions for a range of power needs, application types, duty cycles and operating environments.”  

Caterpillar has committed that 100% of its new products through 2030 will be more sustainable than the previous generation, which is reflected in the company’s line-up of industrial-power solutions and integrated services finely tuned for owners of third-party equipment powered by Cat engines.  

“Improved sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and one size doesn’t fit all in determining the appropriate power solution for equipment owners,” continued Ferguson.  

“Our offerings can help customers and end users start improving the sustainability of their operations today through high-efficiency engines, fuels and digital solutions now available for the jobsite, by extending value and reducing waste over the lifecycle of equipment they already own, and by powering the next generation of equipment with innovations precisely configured for the jobsite.”

Moog’s Intelligent electric system includes an electric traction motor, lift, tilt and steering electric cylinders, power electronics, a system control computer, battery, and battery management system.  

The integrated control system connects and coordinates the actions across the machine, while the all-electric actuators and motors drive the machine’s traction and loading system, offering high efficiency and controllability.  

“To achieve our CO2 emission reduction targets from products in use of 50% by 2030 from 2010 levels, to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of 2050, we are looking for promising technologies from suppliers to accelerate our electric machine development,” said Seiichi Fuchita, chief technology officer (CTO) and president of the Development Division at Komatsu.  

“The machine built together with Moog combines the strengths of both companies and was finalised within a short period of time and we expect the joint testing will show the advantages of a full electric machine.”  

The companies are testing the electric loader jointly to prove that it can achieve a new level of efficiency, operating time, and comfort. The companies will show that the operating cycle is extended, and, with innovative assist functions, provides a comfortable environment for the operator.  

The prototype’s intelligent machine electrification system is designed to be connected and automation-ready. The system has the sensing and control capabilities needed for automation while the integrated software framework comes with built-in tools to coordinate multiple axes of motion and precisely control torque, velocity, position, and force.