OM I don,t have a parts book right here to check the bearings out for sure but I can,t just recall them using the tapered roller bearings as it,s been so many years ago but they did use the regular aluminum brgs.in them but they could have and slipped my memory.One of these days I,m goin over to the shop and I,ll see if I can check it out in their books or computer.They were quite a starting engine.I rebuilt lots of them starting engines but as I said being away from them so many years I just can,t recall all their setup.

NEWS ITEM ....

PEORIA - Caterpillar Inc. said Friday (7th March 2008) it will again set a standard when it produces the first electric drive track-type tractor in its bulldozer line of equipment.
Responding to customer demand for a machine that is more efficient and economical, Caterpillar said the new D7E, which will be built in East Peoria, is being tested internally and will be tested by customers all over the world before debuting commercially in 2009.

"This is customer-driven innovation," said Caterpillar spokeswoman Kate Kenny.

The D7 already is made in East Peoria, Kenny said, so the company does not expect there will be any effect on area manufacturing jobs with the new machine.

The D7E will be unveiled at the construction equipment exposition CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2008 in Las Vegas this week.

Caterpillar on Friday made two announcements leading to the exposition, which opens Tuesday and continues through this coming week.

Aside from the D7E, Caterpillar also said it plans to meet the federal government's next emissions requirements, the Tier 4 requirements coming in 2011, with its trademark ACERT technology.

Caterpillar has met U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards with ACERT the last several years on all of its truck and machinery engines.

"We will provide an industry leading technology solution to meet the needs of our global customer base in all the markets we serve," said Group President Doug Oberhelman. "Caterpillar is ready to provide its machine and industrial customers around the world with the broadest product range, the most extensive technology expertise, collaborative design processes, demonstrated system integration

experience and unequaled product support."

Kenny said the purpose of the announcement "is more or less to let the world know we won't be using any other technology that any of our competitors use. We are letting the world know we continue to have confidence in ACERT."

The D7E will mark the first significant change in Caterpillar earthmoving equipment in several years.

The electric drive system will give the machine "an unmatched balance of power, efficiency, control and maneuverability," the company said in a news release. It said the D7E will do more work and consume less fuel and parts than existing machines, helping customers to lower costs.

"The D7E offers a quantum leap in customer value through significant productivity increases and reduced owning and operating costs," said Mark Pflederer, vice president of Caterpillar's Heavy Construction & Mining Division. "This is another example of Caterpillar's global technology leadership and commitment to sustainable innovation which is not only good for our customers' economics, but the environment as well."

The D7E is powered by a Cat C9 engine, but a traditional mechanical transmission is not needed, because the variable speed electric motors serve the function of a continuously variable transmission.

The electric drive train has 60 percent fewer moving parts compared to previous D7s. The electric system also provides power to auxiliary components so no engine belts are needed.

"From an environmental sustainability perspective, the D7E uses substantially less fuel per hour - dramatically reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions," said Group President Stu Levenick, in a release.

"This revolutionary design consumes fewer resources over its working life than any other track-type tractor in its class. All major components are engineered to be rebuilt or reused in the future."

I can only see .. on this "new technology" machine .. TD15 undercarriage .. Euclid hydraulics .. LeTourneau drive system ..

And the whisper is, that Cat have bought the electric drive technology, "off-the-shelf" so to speak ....

As the old burger ad used to say .."Where's the beef .. ??" LOL

It looks like it should say Volvo or something foreign across the front...Wait Cat and all the american manufactures are just about foreign now.

The best part about having an electric tractor is you could run your house off the PTO.

I'd rather have a Caterpillar Sixty. GWH

Can't help but think this will really change the undustry standard again! I really would love to run one of them. The O & O cost should really make that thing competative and cheap to run. I imagine when all the bad lip service is done, they'll have everyone standing in line to buy one like all their other stuff.

Looks like a new 82-30 Euclid with Cat paint, YUCK!!! I'll bet my ole High horse 48A would run circles around this generator on tracks!

I trust that Cat have taken into account, that lil' varmits, worldwide, like chewing up wiring and electrics.
I'd hate to think of the damage, one hungry rat, could do to a heap of VERY expensive Cat wiring harness, and motor insulation ..

They reckon the entire system is sealed and can be operated under water up to fan depth. I just hope that sealing is also varmit proof.

Kind'a makes ya wonder when the first revision, er, update is gonna happen:confused:

Dealer only in shop repair????
Cars are now just swapped parts no diagnostics. just throw parts at it. Auto industry can't find good techs, plug-in comp, $$, then do what it says.. New techs have no brains or inkling in thinking just there for the $$$..

AC or DC drives. Should be AC as Locos have that proven out pretty good.
Regen braking??
No cost savings in purchase. Copper $$ thru the roof.

Minimal hydraulics Accessories only.


Cheers

Dudley

Hope they do not use Windoz operating sys.
Any chance they would have to hire a "computer geek" to run it???? rotfl