Diesel-electric locomotives have been roaming America’s open spaces for generations, and the centuries-old combination of highly efficient diesel engines that spin generators to power high-torque electric motors has proven difficult to beat. Now, Caterpillar is putting that century-old concept into practice clandestinely. Meet the CAT R3200 XE LHD.
One of many hard-working machines that move chunks of earth beneath your feet, an LHD (load, haul, and discharge) machine is essentially a huge underground wheel loader designed to pick up blasted rock, transport it through narrow mine tunnels, and then unload it into trucks or ore passes. Built low and wide to fit into tunnels, LHDs are workhorses in underground mining operations, and the new R3200 XE is the largest CAT yet, with a 25-tonne payload and electric propulsion.
Before we get into the specs of the machine (the few we have, at least), I want to make sure you understand that large-scale mining operations use obscene amounts of fuel, and a change in site efficiency of just 1-2% can mean a huge difference in the bottom line – and fuel prices went up 27.4% (!) in August alone.
Hold the staggering weight of what that kind of fuel cost can mean for a fleet that buys fuel literally by the truckload as you read the rest of this.
CAT Tier V Diesel
Although it hasn’t been officially released by CAT yet, clips of the company’s launch video have leaked through dealers and trade magazines, showing the big machine powered by CAT’s newest 18.1-liter Tier 5 C18 diesel generator generating 527 hp (~390 kW). That C18 reportedly sends electrons to the same electric propulsion system used in the company’s already successful 18-tonne R2900 XE LHD.
In addition to a larger generator and heavier payload, CAT says the upcoming R3200 XE LHD offers reduced cycle times compared to the R2900 In total, that equates to 28% more tons per hour with 8% more fuel efficiency.
That efficiency is boosted by the same integrated ADAS technology that has made the smaller R2900
We’ll post an update once CAT releases the full summary of official specifications, which should be sooner rather than later. When that happens, we’ll see exactly how this big CAT excavator stacks up against the competition from Sandvik, Epiroc and Komatsu. In the meantime, let us know what you think of CAT’s newest electric-powered machine in the comments.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
If you’re thinking about going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from some installers. To ensure you find a trustworthy and reliable solar installer near you offering competitive prices, check out energywisea free service that makes it easy for you to use solar energy. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t receive sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll have access to unbiased energy advisors to help you every step of the way. Start here.
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. Further.
