Caterpillar Inc Heavy Equipment CSR by GineersNow Engineering GineersNow Engineering Magazine November 2016 | Page 60

WHAT LIES AHEAD
FOR CONSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT
by Dion Greg Reyes
Photo by WalleniusWilhelsemLogistics
Every Caterpillar, Komatsu,
Case, Volvo, and Deere
equipment
in
use
at
construction sites today
are products of a careful
developmental study in
manufacturing. Ever since
60
industrialization
began,
builders and engineers sought
for advanced construction
equipment and machines
that will render smooth site
operations at minimum costs.
Today, we have all the basic
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construction
equipment
we need. Using excavators,
backhoes, loaders, cranes, and
rollers, among others we have
formed and built engineering
marvels. Engineers always
find a way to maximize the
use of these equipment.
And yet, we could take
advantage
of
modern
technology to further exploit
the use of these equipment,
and to develop more machines
that will help in forwarding
construction methods.
There are essentially three
areas which are the focus
of construction equipment
manufacturers in relating
its past, present, and future.
Once these three – hydraulics,
engines, and computer
systems – are engineered
to be better than its current
state, they lead to lower
maintenance costs, decreased
operation costs, improved
efficiency and reliability, and
longer machine life.
Excavators, backhoes, and
loaders have hydraulics
embedded in them to lift,
load and unload materials
and objects. Mobility of
these equipment relies in
this system. What emerging
hydraulic technologies can
do is optimize both hydraulic
flow and pressure, including
the ability to modulate both.
They will largely affect the
equipment’s
efficiency,
versatility,
and
lifting
capabilities.