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VOLVO CE TESTS WORLD’S FIRST PROTOTYPE HYDROGEN network. The agreement, which is for an initial 13 year period,
HAULER follows the ending of John Deere’s joint venture with Hitachi, which
included a cooperation on mini excavators in North America. EQUIPMENT
Deere sells around 15,000 minis a year in North America.
The deal also expands on the existing relationship between the two
companies. Wacker Neuson has built Deere-branded compact
excavator models up to 7.5 tonnes in China since 2018. These
models are mainly sold in China and Australia.
Wacker Neuson’s Kramer-branded telehandlers and wheeled
loaders are sold through John Deere agricultural dealers in Europe
and Australia under a strategic partnership.
Wacker Neuson said its was confident the agreement will
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced that substantially accelerate the Group’s profitable growth trajectory
the company has started testing of the world’s first fuel cell in the medium term”, although it does not expect significant sales
articulated hauler prototype, the Volvo HX04. The company and profits in the first three or four years. Wacker Neuson will invest
says that the results of the project will provide important insights low double-digit million euros to expand production capacity.
into the possibilities provided by hydrogen and fuel cells. The The 1.5 and 2.5 tonne models for John Deere will be build in
Swedish-based company has one of the largest ranges of electric Europe, with 3.5 and 4.0 tonne machines made in the USA.
construction equipment in the industry, but it also exploring other The cooperation will be phased in over time, model by model, as
alternative power options, such as hydrogen. the joint venture with Hitachi runs out. The small European-made
Carolina Diez Ferrer, head of advanced engineering programs minis will be available by 2024, with the bigger US-made models in
at Volvo CE, said, “While an early prototype, this innovation will the following years. Wacker Neuson previously manufactured mini
give valuable insights into the opportunities of hydrogen in the excavators for Caterpillar for 10 years. The end of that agreement
energy transformation alongside battery-electric solutions. “We was announced in 2018.
believe that by exploring multiple technologies and working in
partnership we can create the best path forward to decarbonize DOOSAN LAUNCHES FIRST ‘SMART’ EXCAVATOR
the construction industry.” The Volvo HX04 is charged with 12kg
hydrogen in approximately seven and a half minutes, enabling it
to operate for approximately four hours.
The Volvo HX04 is the result of a research project running between
2018 and 2022, with funding from FFI, a national collaboration
between the Swedish Innovation Agency VINNOVA, Swedish
Energy Agency, and Swedish Transport Administration, to
support sustainable vehicle strategic research, innovation and
development. Partners include Volvo CE, RISE Research Institutes
of Sweden, who provided specialist competence on driveline Doosan has launched the new DX225LC-7X, which is said to be
development and safety, and PowerCell Sweden, a developer of designed to help operators work faster and more efficiently.
fuel cell-based hydrogen-electric power solutions. Engineers at the The new DX225LC-7X smart model will include Full Electric Hydraulic
Technology Center in Eskilstuna, Sweden, have contributed with (FEH) technology as well as integrated 2D machine guidance,
software development and knowledge gathered through its fuel e-fence virtual wall, weighing system, and laser receiver.
cell test lab. The Volvo HX04 is not commercially available – Volvo The company says that the Full Electric Hydraulic (FEH) technology
say they expect the commercialisation of hydrogen-powered is comparable to the D-Ecopower VBO (virtual bleed off) system
machines during the second half of this decade. that is incorporated on the standard DX225LC-7 model and all
Doosan crawler excavators from the DX350LC-7 and above. The
WACKER NEUSON AND JOHN DEERE SIGN EXCAVATOR joysticks and pedals are fully electric, but give the operator the
AGREEMENT same feeling as hydraulic joysticks.
Wacker Neuson is to manufacture mini and compact excavators In the FEH system, Doosan says that an electric signal is sent to the
under 5 tonnes for John Deere under a long-term manufacturing central controller and as such is more precise and provides faster
agreement that will also see John Deere develop and information. As the system does not utilise pilot pressure, energy is
manufacture 5 to 9 tonne excavators using designs acquired from saved and there is a resultant fuel saving.
Wacker Neuson. The Germany-based OEM will produce the sub-5 The FEH system offers 8% less fuel burn compared to the
tonne excavators at its facilities in Menomonee Falls, USA, and Linz, D-Ecopower VBO system – this is in addition to the 7% decrease
Austria for John Deere, mainly for North America. in fuel consumption already achieved in Doosan’s standard
The machines, including electric models, will be distributed under DX225LC-7. Doosan is hoping to provide additional features on the
the John Deere brand through John Deere’s global dealer network. DX225LC-7X in the future such as a tilting bucket for 2D machine
Wacker Neuson machines in the same range will continue to guidance, an upgrade to full Trimble GPS 3D, and engcon ready
be distributed under the Wacker Neuson brand through its own from factory (plug and play).

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