Ashok Leyland organizes ‘Mini Expo’ in Bhubaneswar, Showcases Advanced MHCV Innovations
Ashok Leyland Limited, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, inaugurated ‘Mini Expo’ in Bhubaneswar, showcasing its latest innovations in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHCV). Bhubaneswar is among the 11 exclusive locations across India selected for this expo, to demonstrate the company’s commitment to innovation and customer engagement.
The expo, featuring two simultaneous circuits, aims to bring Ashok Leyland’s cutting-edge technologies closer to customers and enthusiasts. Circuit 1, which commenced from Delhi, will progress to Raipur following its showcase in Bhubaneswar.
At the Bhubaneswar expo, Ashok Leyland showcased a diverse line-up of vehicles, including the AVTR 5525AN 4X2 AC; AVTR 4825HN AC; AVTR 4825TN HD AC; AVTR 3532TN 8X4; AVTR 2825TN HR 16CUM BOX; AVTR 2825RN BGS AC 9 CUM EDPTO TRANSIT MIXER; BOSS 1915 22FT; OYSTER Vi SCHOOL (53 seater); OYSTER Vi STAFF (40 seater); 15 M BUS CHASSIS; and AVTR 55T EV.
Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland said, “The Mini Expo in Bhubaneswar marks a significant milestone as we continue to lead the way in the commercial vehicle segment. Odisha and Eastern India at large, have been a key market for us. We have always recognized the potential this region has and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in this geography. The Expo is an opportunity for customers to experience our capabilities in driving the future of mobility. We are confident that our vehicles, coupled with our extensive aftermarket solutions, will demonstrate our dedication to providing comprehensive transportation solutions to our customers. We look forward to engaging with our customers and stakeholders at Bhubaneswar.”
The ‘Mini Expo’ in Bhubaneswar highlighted Ashok Leyland’s state-of-the-art MHCV products and vehicles, and is a key event for industry professionals, enthusiasts, and stakeholders interested in the latest advancements in MHCV technology.
The two day expo was a great opportunity for visitors to experience not only the latest vehicles but also the comprehensive services and solutions that Ashok Leyland offers.
Ashok Leyland Inaugurates Future-Ready ‘Uptime Solution Center’ at Ennore
Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, inaugurated its state-of-the-art Uptime Solution Center at Ennore. The future-ready facility, with its cutting-edge technology and proprietary predictive analytics, is designed to revolutionize the aftersales landscape by ensuring maximum fleet utilization for commercial vehicle operators across India.
The advanced ‘Uptime Solution Center’ brings together teams from Aftermarket, Vehicle Engineering, and Field Quality to proactively support Ashok Leyland customers across the country by promptly troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “The inauguration of the Uptime Solution Center marks a significant milestone in our journey to redefine customer service. At Ashok Leyland, we are committed to providing world-class support to our customers, and this Center exemplifies our dedication to innovation and excellence. With advanced technology and a cross-functional team of experts, we aim to maximize fleet uptime and ensure our vehicles deliver exceptional performance.”
Sanjeev Kumar, President MHCV, Ashok Leyland said, “The Uptime Solution Center is testament to our relentless pursuit of technological advancement. We have combined predictive analytics with real-time monitoring to make our vehicles more reliable and to create a smarter, quicker service system. This Center will provide our customers with useful insights about their vehicle’s operation and help them proactively address any potential issues ensuring that their businesses are on track. This initiative clearly reflects our dedication to exceptional customer satisfaction.”
Ashok Leyland has a nationwide network of over 52,000 touchpoints, including Dealers, Authorised Service Centers, SASSY, Parts Distributors, Exclusive Parts Stores (ALRPS), AL Parts Retailers and AL Mechanics, all of which are seamlessly integrated with the Uptime Center. This network integration guarantees effective coordination and communication, facilitating quick repairs, easy access to parts, and improved service assistance.
Ashok Leyland continues to set new benchmarks and reaffirms its leadership position with the launch of the Uptime Solution Center. The Uptime Solution Center is poised to transform service experience for customers, ensuring quicker issue resolution, minimizing vehicle downtime, and optimizing fleet performance.
Caterpillar says its new solution is a “technological leap” for the mining industry
Caterpillar has unveiled what it calls “an innovative OEM-designed solution” to help solve one of the most complex aspects of the mining industry’s energy transition – energy management.
Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) is a fully Caterpillar-developed system that can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are working on a mine site.
It can also charge a machine’s batteries while operating with increased speed on grade, improving operational efficiency and machine uptime. The Cat DET system provides the industry with options to support both near-term and long-term sustainability strategies.
“We believe Cat DET provides a technological leap for the mining industry. Our team of innovators designed this system to provide immediate benefit to miners who want to lower their operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions today while also creating flexibility for the future,” said Denise Johnson, Caterpillar’s Resource Industries group president.
What is Cat DET?
Cat DET is comprised of a series of integrated elements, including a power module that converts energy from a mine site’s power source, an electrified rail system to transmit the energy, and a machine system to transfer the energy to the truck’s powertrain.
The rail system is a mobile solution that can be customised to customers’ specific site layouts, including high-speed and curved haul roads, enabling higher productivity. The connecting arm can be installed on either side of a truck and on multiple truck models, providing options to fit customers’ specific operations. It can also be used on mature or developing sites, and it can be moved or expanded to allow maximum mine site coverage.
Cat DET will integrate with the Cat MineStar Command for hauling solution, merging autonomy and electrification technologies.
“We believe mine sites will benefit from enhanced efficiency with the integration of electrification and automation. When combined, these technologies will help miners achieve production targets while simultaneously managing energy demands,” added Caterpillar, Senior Vice President, Marc Cameron.
Strabag testing Liebherr’s hydrogen wheeled loader
Austria-based construction company Strabag and German-Swiss equipment manufacturer Liebherr announced a pilot project involving the OEM’s new hydrogen-powered loader on quarry works in Europe.
Recently, Liebherr released its L 566 H, a prototype hydrogen-engine wheeled loader that the company said is the ‘world’s first’ of its kind. It launched earlier this year at Liebherr’s facility in Salzburg, Austria.
Strabag said use of the prototype also amounts to a project first.
“For the first time, green hydrogen will replace conventional diesel to power a large wheel loader in practical operation,” said Strabag, noting the solution has the potential to save up to 37,500 litres of diesel or around 100 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The prototype will work Kanzelstein quarry in Gratkorn, Styria, Austria.
A trial period will run “several years” with Strabag hoping the hydrogen (H2) engine solution can enable zero-emission certification for the machinery and zero-emission limits on nitrogen oxides. The company said it plans to be “climate neutral” by 2040.
Energie Steiermark supplying Strabag/Liebherr H2 project
Energie Steiermark, one of Austria’s largest energy service providers, is partnering with Strabag to set up hydrogen supply and refuelling infrastructure at the quarry.
With nationwide storage and refilling infrastructure for hydrogen-powered machines in its infancy, the installation of H2 storing and filling units on site provides the project a reliable supply of green hydrogen.
Marco Xaver Bornschlegl, head of the innovation and digitalisation for Strabag’s central division, said, “Fuels are the biggest source of carbon emissions in our company. And construction machinery accounts for a large part of our consumption. New, low-emission fuel solutions are therefore a key lever for effectively reducing emissions.”
Hydrogen adoption has geopolitical implications
The Strabag/Liebherr project caught the attention of more than just the construction and machine industry, as Leonore Gewessler, Austria Federal Minister for Climate Action and Environment, was present for the inauguration.
In addition to the project’s potential for reducing CO2 emissions, Gewessler said promoting alternative fuel sources will also lessen dependence on natural gas, of which Russia is a primary global exporter.
“It enables parts of industry to switch to climate-friendly production, which secures and creates jobs,” said Gewessler, then adding these benefits were vital “to replace fossil natural gas from Russia and beyond.”
Hexagon announces ‘world’s first’ fully electric slipform paver with 3D machine control solution
Leica Geosystems, a part of Hexagon, and Roos Groep, a company specialising in road construction, have announced that they have developed the ‘world’s first’ fully electric slipform paver, guided by Leica Geosystems’ 3D machine control solution.
The system features dual GNSS for heading and a total station for precise height control. By implementing machine control on top of a zero-emission slipform paver, the company says that operational downtime is reduced, energy efficiency is optimised, as well as increased environmental and performance benefits.
Other collaborators on the electric slipform paver included Statec for design and drafting, Staad-Fusion for batteries, Hightide for hydraulic components, Hydrocan Engineering for automation, and Degra for electro-hydraulic components.
Structural elements were provided by TJP Bladel and Van de Brand Metaal, with Ingenieursbureau Van Asseldonk offering advisory services and CE certification.
“Roos Groep envisions a future where nearly all concrete pavement jobs are executed electrically, significantly reducing the construction sector’s carbon footprint,” says Tom Roos, CEO of Roos Groep. “Through innovation, collaboration with industry partners, and a commitment to environmental friendliness, we are driving a green revolution in construction.”
The first mission of the slipform paver was to create a bicycle path in the municipality of Reusel in the Netherlands.
Caterpillar launches eight new loaders
Caterpillar has introduced eight new next generation skid steer loader (SSL) and compact track loader (CTL) models.
According to the world’s biggest construction OEM by sales, the new skid steer loaders mark the introduction of the next generation design to this line. The new loaders are named: 250, 260, 270, and 270 XE.
The new compact track loaders – 275, 275 XE, 285 and 285 XE – are also said to mark the expansion of the next generation design for the CTL line, joining the 255 and 265 announced in late 2023.
The largest CTLs ever produced by Caterpillar, the new Cat 285 and 285 XE compete in a new class size with greater lift height and lift and tilt breakout forces. Caterpillar says that the next generation SSL and CTL models are a “ground-up redesign that improves on the features that made the previous series popular.”
The new SSL and CTL models carry on Caterpillar’s new machine nomenclature with the elimination of the series letter designation. All next generation Cat SSLs are now identified by an ending model number of 0, while all CTLs have a model number ending in 5. The middle number represents machine size with a larger number designating a larger machine.
“We are excited to launch the next generation design for our skid steer loader line and expand the performance capabilities to more compact track loader models,” comments Trevor Chase, senior product consultant and new product introduction lead for Caterpillar.
“Their increased power, lift height, breakout forces, rated operating capacity (ROC) and multiple high-flow auxiliary hydraulic system options give customers a flexible, high-performance machine to get the job done.”
New Holland Construction launches first midi excavator
US-founded and Italy-based New Holland Construction – a CNH Industrial brand – entered a new equipment category with the release of its E70D midi excavator.
The new machine will make its debut in North America at the 2024 Farm Progress Show, which runs 27-29 August in Iowa, US.
With max power of 60.2 hp (44.3 kw) and operating weight of 16,072 lbs (7,290kg), New Holland said its inaugural midi excavator is “meticulously crafted to excel in confined spaces where larger machines fall short.
“Ideal for small-to-medium-sized construction companies, landscapers, municipalities, and farmers, the E70D can handle a variety of tasks with ease — from digging and grading to material handling,” added New Holland.
The E70D uses a turbocharged Kubota V2607-CR-T four-cycle, four-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine, which meets EPA Tier 4/EU Stage V emission standards.
The mono boom reaches a transport length of 241 in (6.1m) and ground-level reach of 260 in (6.6m) with a dump height just more than 14.5 ft (4.4m) and a dig-depth more than 13 ft (4m). The machine has a tailswing radius of 41 in (1m). It measures just less than 9 ft (2.7m) tall by 7 ft (2.1m) wide with a ground clearance of 14.2 in (36cm). Dan Kakareka, product manager for New Holland Construction North America, said, “This machine isn’t just about doing the job — it’s about transforming how it’s done. With its powerful digging force, hydraulic performance and lift capacity and automotive-style cab design, the E70D is set to redefine expectations and bring a new level of performance and efficiency for operators working in agriculture and construction segments.”
Highlighting safety, customisation, and tech on the New Holland E70D
New Holland said development of the brand’s first-of-its-kind mid-sized excavator focused on three key features outside of machine performance: safety, customisable features and technology.
“Safety was a paramount focus,” confirmed New Holland, noting the E70D has LED lightning, standard back-up alarms, a rearview camera and improved in-cabin visibility.
“Inside the cab, operators will enjoy a spacious and comfortable environment, featuring adjustable heated seats and an advanced climate control system designed to keep them comfortable during long hours of operation,” said New Holland.
For attachments, the company said the midi can be affixed with buckets, augers, grapples, mulchers and more. Counterweights up to 1,102 lbs (500kg) can also add additional stability.
“Operators can also adjust joystick sensitivity and hydraulic response to match their personal preferences, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation every time,” said New Holland.
Technology features include a standard telematics and five-year subscription for real-time machine tracking, diagnostics and performance monitoring. The E70D also an auto-lubrication system, which New Holland said helps simplify maintenance and reduces need for manual intervention.
