Hybrid Excavator Makes US Debut At World of Concrete

Taking a leadership role in fuel conservation and global warming was New Holland, a division of Lake Forest, Ill.-based CNH Global N.V. It unveiled the first "hybrid" excavator, a 7-ton unit powered by 2.2L diesel engine, 37-kW electric motor, regenerative swing drive and lithium-ion batteries. It made its first North American appearance after showing up at Intermat last year in Paris.

So far, the company has produced four of the "HE" prototypes but does not know when units will go into production, if at all. "We are not ready tomorrow, but we are the only one with working prototypes," said Franco Fenoglio, president of New Holland Construction.

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Fenoglio believes it is too early to tell how much money companies will be willing to spend on hybrids but he thinks that equipment producers should start addressing global warming today. Otherwise, "there is no tomorrow," he said.

Chinese Equipment Manufacturer Also Debuts

Also tilting its iron toward the future was SANY International, China's biggest privately owned machinery producer. It bought the show's largest outdoor display space and greeted attendees with a giant red carpet near the main entrance.

The Changsha-based manufacturer showcased an updated line of concrete pumps, graders and excavators costing 30% less and ready to ship in half the time of established brands. With equipment assembled from standard parts like Volvo truck chassis and Cummins engines, SANY salespeople were ready to cut deals with American firms.

Attendees reacted to the new global player with magnetic curiosity, not with the cool demeanor of previous tradeshows. Walking through the booth, Scott Schumacher, director of asset management for Superior, Colo.-based Key Equipment Finance, predicted that Chinese vendors—many of which are now catching up with current technology—will help keep global equipment prices low.