With HVO and electrification toward sustainability

Bauma firsts from Kubota: electric wheel loaders and tracking system

Trials of organic HVO fuel, a pair of electric wheel loaders plus a tracking system applicable to all Kubota machines. These are some of the already known strengths that Kubota will have to offer at Bauma 2022. Of course, we are also going to see a lot of updated and familiar machines on the stand. And more electrical news is expected....

Kubota recently announced that it has conducted trials with hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) in the United Kingdom. About five test machines were tracked through a special program that provides data on engine telemetry. The trial is seen as an important milestone for Kubota, which will use the data collected worldwide to help determine future fuel strategy. The use of HVO fuel is now open to all Kubota engines and under the full manufacturer's warranty, so we can start taking full advantage of it in our country as well.

HVO is a liquid fuel made from a range of vegetable oils from plants (such as rapeseed, sunflower and soybeans) plus some animal fats. HVO diesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90%. The fuel tested meets EN 15940 standards and the Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II, allowing it to be used in diesel engines without modification.

Electric firsts

Kubota has expanded its extensive range of articulated loaders with two new electric wheel loaders, the RT210-2e and RT220-2e, plus a new telehandler. This RT105T-2 is based on the RT100-2 but received a more powerful motor (25 versus 20 hp). It has a telescopic arm that has a maximum height at the hinge pin of 2,820 mm instead of usually 2,170 mm
enables.

Both electric firsts, the RT210-2e and RT220-2e, are based on the RT210-2 and RT220-2, whose Kubota diesel engine has been replaced by an electric system with two electric motors (one for the driving part and one for hydraulic operation) plus a battery pack. Due to its substantial lifting height, the RT210-2e is of particular interest to farmers or livestock producers. The RT220-2e's higher lifting capacity makes it especially interesting for construction and rental companies. Both newcomers are ideal for job sites where noise and CO2 emissions are not desirable.

Mathieu Bourson, product manager for Kubota Europe: "We are pleased to introduce three new models in our wheel loader range. The new RT105T-2 opens the telehandler segment for us and will soon be followed by another machine. For the RT210-2e and RT220-2e, it is the second series of Kubota machines, after our track dumpers, that we are beginning to electrify. As for our series of mini-excavators, Kubota aims to be the market leader for Zero Emission machines." We are expected to see more innovative news from those mini excavators during Bauma.

Machine tracking

Kubota has launched a new telematics portal. Kubota Tracking System allows users to get up-to-date usage information on the machines in their fleet. It is accessible via a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone, so data can be viewed anywhere, anytime. The Tracking System is first standard on Kubota KX080-4a2 excavators and will eventually become available for all Kubota machines.

Through Tracking System, machine operators and machine managers can access all the data on their machine(s) at the touch of a button, allowing them to make informed decisions. This includes things like maintenance times and fleet movements on the one hand, and creates better visibility of machines from a security perspective on the other. This is especially important as costs rise in other sectors of construction. Kubota is keen to develop new ways to help machine users understand where savings can be made and efficiency increased.

Security is enhanced by allowing machine owners to view the movements of each excavator via GPS tracking. In addition, geofencing is also available, which allows users to designate specific areas of use and the system will notify if a machine leaves that area.