The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Local excavating company eyes electric-drive bulldozer

Kelchner Excavating impressed by Caterpillar D7E’s reduced fuel use, quieter operation.

John Young, a Caterpillar spokesman, describes the technological advantages of the D7E track-type tractor at a job site in southern Montgomery County. The tractor increases dozing efficiency by 25 percent and reduces fuel consumption by 10 percent to 30 percent, Caterpillar officials said.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood John Young, a Caterpillar spokesman, describes the technological advantages of the D7E track-type tractor at a job site in southern Montgomery County. The tractor increases dozing efficiency by 25 percent and reduces fuel consumption by 10 percent to 30 percent, Caterpillar officials said.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Target honors local paper producer
11:00 a.m.
DPL announces dividend
9:51 a.m.
Budget earmarks are topic of development group meeting
9:35 a.m.
$35M airport garage adds to competition for customers
8:22 a.m.
Parking garage first for Dayton International
7/29/10
> More headlines

E-mail this page

By Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer Updated 1:59 AM Tuesday, August 11, 2009

MIAMI TWP., Montgomery County — When gas was $4 a gallon last year, Todd Kelchner, chief executive of Kelchner Excavating, lost sleep at night.

With gas now below $3 a gallon, Kelchner feels better. And he feels even better watching Caterpillar’s new D7E electric-drive bulldozer.

“That’s insurance,” Kelchner said, watching a preproduction iteration of the tractor Monday, Aug. 10, off South Tech Boulevard.

Kelchner said there’s a “very good possibility” he will purchase a D7E once production ramps up in the first quarter of 2010. Powered by a diesel engine that drives an electric generator, which in turn powers two AC electric motors, the bulldozer reduces fuel consumption per cubic yard of earth moved by 25 percent, Kelchner said, relying on data from East Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar.

It’s also quieter and simpler to operate than most other bulldozers — key considerations when easing operator fatigue is important, he said.

“It’s very fatiguing,” Kelchner said of the noise from ordinary-drive bulldozers. “You get in your (comparatively quiet) car, and it’s like you’re underwater when you go home.”

Caterpillar has been showing off the bulldozer locally and in the Cleveland area, said Ralph Reynolds, an Ohio CAT account manager based in Troy. He said Caterpillar already has received an offer for one of the preproduction models.

Caterpillar has not released a manufacturer’s suggested price yet, and Reynolds said he couldn’t offer a possible price range. Kelchner and crew members watched the D7E at work Monday on ground where a retention basin will be built for what Kelchner called a “confidential client.”

“We’re evaluating it,” he said of the machine. “It looks really good.”

Reynolds said the D7E will be built in East Peoria. The model has been in development for 10 years.

Share this article