The madness of March was not limited to the basketball court. My first CONEXPO-CON/AGG (CONEXPO) experience was as advertised by my colleagues and coworkers: large square footage, miles of walking, sore feet all day, and great people and conversations at every booth.
However, some aspects of the event exceeded expectations, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. More than 139,000 people attended the event, with 2,400 exhibitors sharing innovative technologies and introducing new brands. Many of the new equipment and brand updates follow.
Caterpillar’s New Engine
During several events at CONEXPO, Caterpillar unveiled its new C13D engine. These events included a preshow press meeting, a dealer presentation at Allegiant Stadium and a booth unveiling where I interviewed experts to get more details about the engine.
The C13D Engine unveil at Allegiant Stadium
Engineered for reliability and productivity, the inline, six-cylinder Cat C13D engine platform will offer eight power ratings from 456 horsepower (hp) to 690 hp—340 kilowatts (kW) to 515 kW with up to 3,200 Newton meter of peak torque.
In addition to the new engine, the team discussed its focus on sustainability that includes:
- Right sizing the engines in machines
- Exploring all power options (diesel, alternative fuels, battery electric, and hydrogen)
- Helping charge/fuel equipment
- Supporting infrastructure for electric and alternative fuel accessibility
- Using technology to manage idling time
New apps were also discussed, including:
- The Cat Central App
- A new companion to SIS2, SIS2GO
- VISIONLINK
Learn more from this article.
Media also received a preview of the Global Operator Challenge and met the nine operators competing in the Operator Stadium during CONEXPO. Most of the operators began their love of equipment riding with their fathers at a young age. The competitors were:
- Fernando Nasciemento – Brazil
- John Schiedeck – U.S.
- Lukasz Mokrynski – Poland
- Masato Imai – Japan
- Matt Ferris – U.S.
- Nick Thompson – Australia
- Patrick Doheny – Australia
- Pontus Eriksson – Sweden
- Sebastian Behr – German
During our conversation with the competitors, I asked what technology has most helped them do their jobs better. Most mentioned connective or IoT technology, saying it moved them from the stone age to the modern age. Some of the technologies highlighted were:
- Graders
- Trenchers and grade assist
- GPS
- 3D and 2D systems (slope precision and geofencing)
- Payload systems
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Patrick Doheny of Australia took the crown out of nine finalists from around the world who competed in the final round of the Global Operator Challenge in the Cat Operator Stadium in Las Vegas.
During the main show, we talked with the Cat team about the new technology at the show, including the small-footprint C13D. They also answered the five questions at CONEXPO.
Accelera the New Brand by Cummins
Amy Davis, president, Accelera, talked with Lori Ditoro following the Cummins press conference.
- Strategic partnerships to help decrease carbon emissions
- Secured supply chain partners
- Paths to electrification, alternative fuels and advanced internal combustion engine performance
“Cummins powers more types of machines and vehicles than anyone else. The breadth of our business across market segments and regions means that we are the ideal partner to help our customers through this transition,” Neal said.
Learn more from this Cummins press release.
Then Amy Davis, president of Accelera, Cummins’ new brand with a zero-emission mission talked about the goals and products of the brand, which represents a new era for Cummins.
Marketing Communications Director Steve Nendik gave the OEM Off-Highway team a booth tour
The OEM Off-Highway team also joined Cummins Marketing Communications Director Steve Nendik for a full tour of the equipment featured at the booth. One of the most popular was the fuel agnostic engine that detailed the common parts of the engine and the different parts (the top) for each fuel type.
Isuzu Motors America Presents Engines That Generate Power
During Monday’s media day, we were happy to join the Isuzu Motors America team for lunch and a great conversation around what the company was exhibiting. The equipment included Open genset power units that help OEMs provide power to machines and standby power solutions. Learn more from this Isuzu engine brochure.
Yanmar Goes Green at CONEXPO
The Yanmar press conference during CONEXPO
- 4TN107FTT Powerpack
- HIPOWER SYSTEMS’ EHR Battery Power Generator
- ELEO modular, high-density battery
The vision includes new Yanmar products and acquisitions and partnerships. Learn more from this article.
JCB: All in on Hydrogen
The JCB team debuted its hydrogen combustion engine in North America during CONEXPO. The press conference covered the details that OEM Off-Highway featured in its March/April 2023 cover series. The hydrogen combustion engine was designed from the ground up, and features:
- Hydrogen and air mixing—Using a gas as fuel required a uniform mixing of fuel and air.
- Air compression—Forcing the air into the mixing/combustion chamber or cylinder required a turbocharger.
- Spark ignition—Better sparkplugs were necessary.
- Steam management—Since the only emission from the hydrogen combustion was steam, corrosion could occur.
Learn more from the cover series article.
Parker Hannifin Mobile Smart Systems
The Parker Hannifin team shared its technology centered around IoT and smart electrification.
Impact sensors, part of the mobile IoT, are important for equipment owners and operators. They monitor the magnitude of an impact, which is beneficial for operator safety and for warranties.
DEUTZ Shares Plans to Grow Classic Business and Move Toward Alternative Power
Optimizing legacy equipment is one of many steps DEUTZ is taking toward zero emissions.
However, he knows that DEUTZ must look to the future. A carbon-zero future includes a mix of power alternatives: electric, alternative fuels, hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen combustion. Schulte said he feels that hydrogen combustion is best for off-highway applications that require more power than battery electric energy can provide.
Also, a strength for DEUTZ is its partnerships. Specifically, the partnership with Daimler Truck to provide its medium-duty and heavy-duty engines has been positive and helped consolidate the market.
Bosch Rexroth Features Partnerships and Acquisitions
Our booth tour with Bosch Rexroth to learn more about the electric technology
JDPS Displays Battery Electric Technology
Our team took a booth tour with the John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) team. Expanding its sustainable technology, JDPS exhibited its growing battery portfolio that includes more modular power options and new electronics hardware solutions. As more of the industry moves to electric, JDPS is investing significant resources in battery and charging technologies for off-highway equipment applications. Together, JDPS and Kreisel Electric (Kreisel) are working to expand the production capacity of Kreisel and accelerate the development of the company’s battery technology.
Great to see the JDPS team and tour all the new technology
In addition to the 63 kWh Kreisel KBP63 battery that was displayed at bauma 2022, three new concept Kreisel batteries were displayed during CONEXPO, including 20 kWh and 40 kWh power options. These new models offer industrial and marine customers increased packaging flexibility and use the battery technology provider’s scalable, modular architecture and patented immersion cooling technology. With this system, the coolant flows through the battery cells and helps extend the battery’s life.
JDPS has also designed a family of electronics hardware that enables seamless connection to help deliver a complete system for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The newest technology, on display at the booth, was the Gb Ethernet Switch. This module manages the transfer of controls information, high-quality images and other data to multiple devices in a system, all in real time.
Volvo Penta & Gradall Share Fully Electric Excavator
Darren Tasker, vice president, industrial sales, for Volvo Penta, shares information during the CONEXPO press conference with Gradall
The Volvo Penta team took a systems approach to this project and provided a complete system including batteries, motors and cabling. According to Darren Tasker, vice president, industrial sales, for Volvo Penta, the product will evolve over time. The Volvo Penta team is committed to science-based sustainability.
Moog Construction Features Automation and Electric Technology
Scott Scheffler, Moog Construction marketing manager, shared the new technology at the booth
Littelfuse Shares Equipment with Our Team
The Littelfuse and OEM Off-Highway teams during CONEXPO
Danfoss Fluid Power Featured Dextreme for Excavators
When our team met with Danfoss Fluid Power, they shared the new Dextreme system. According to the press release, Dextreme systems improve excavator energy efficiency by 15% to 50%, regardless of the power source, while maximizing productivity.
The Dextreme pathway consists of three incremental system solutions: Swap, Flex, and Max. The simplest configuration of the system, Dextreme Swap, is now available. Dextreme Swap replaces the excavator's main hydraulic pump with a Digital Displacement pump, custom software and digital controller, delivering a 15% reduction in fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions compared to an excavator fitted with a conventional swash plate pump.
We ended the day talking with the Danfoss Fluid Power Solutions team and learned about their new technology, including the motors in this picture.
The last new technology the team shared was a family of CAMLOBE motors. These motors took 4 years to produce and have improved life and efficiency, smooth operation for the operator and a compact design.
Hatz Diesel Showcased Digital Solutions, Concept Cube and Expanded Service
New digital solutions featured at the Hatz Diesel booth during CONEXPO included:
- Vehicle performance tracking
- Productivity
- Maintenance planning
- Geoposition/geofencing
- Error codes
- IoT dashboard
The digital solutions can be retrofit into equipment, and there are three levels subscription (basic, advanced and premium).
We enjoyed talking with the Hatz Diesel team and learn more about the new technology featured at their booth
In addition, the team featured its new HDS2Lite smartphone diagnostic tool and HSP Smart Panel. These help owners and operators view engine and equipment information. The diagnostic tool provides engine information for maintenance in the owners’ and operators’ hands.
FPT Featured Its Full Range of Engines
We enjoyed talking with the FPT team during CONEXPO
They are also improving customer service with connectivity services, an extended warranty program, a lubricant line with Shell and remanufactured engines. Learn more from this article about FPT’s presence at CONEXPO. You can learn more from this video from the show.
Electrification a Major Focus for Dana Incorporated
Similar to other manufacturers, Dana Incorporated continues to optimize legacy equipment, but the team is looking to the future with electrification. With electric options, they have added two new equipment categories to their portfolio: excavators and forklifts. Other developments include:
The booth tour with the Dana Incorporated team was enlightening ... so much new technology to see
- The Spicer Electrified eSP502 e-Transmission was debuted for the North American construction market. This platform is designed to support the electrification of mid-sized wheel loaders, rough terrain crane, and other off-highway vehicles.
- The team also introduced a new modular Spicer drivetrain solution for telehandlers with 12,000-pound lifting capacities that enables OEMs to seamlessly transition from conventional vehicle designs to next-generation zero-emission powertrains.
Learn more from this Dana press release.
Schaeffler Applies Insight from Automotive Technology to Off-Highway Applications
We were happy to talk with Eric Berndt, mobility and electrification technologies engineer at Schaeffler Group USA (Schaeffler) about the new technology for off-highway electrification. Among the technology we discussed were its concentrated wound motors (more adaptive to different applications), hairpin-wound electric motors, and hub motors.
In addition, Schaeffler has thermal management solutions for internal combustion engines, but these systems are also needed for electric power, including for the battery and the inverter. The team is also converting other functions to electric, such as electric actuators instead of hydraulic. An excellent tip shared by Berndt during our conversation was that, for a compact solution, electric rotary actuators can be used instead of a rod-style actuator. Check out this video where he shares how this works.
Learn more from this Schaeffler press release.
New Honda AWV
The AWV revealed during CONEXPOHonda
Hallite Seals New Technology
Hallite hosted a press conference during CONEXPO that introduced the new 683 low friction rod seal, 565 precision bearings and the 777 piston seal.
"We recognize that sustainability has never been a more relevant, important, or debated topic," said Andrew Iddeson, global technical director for Hallite. "So, by optimizing our manufacturing processes, we reduce waste and optimize product deliverables. This is the case with the design of the 565, which is a new range of Hallite bearings."
The T777 sealHallite Seals
The 777 reintroduces the double-acting, energized piston seal. It has been redesigned to include imperial sizes to fit a range of industry-standard grooves. In addition, it is now available in more cost-effective material options for less demanding applications.
Delta-Q Features Charging Systems
The Delta-Q team at CONEXPODelta-Q Technologies
