Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Contractors Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Sustainability is a buzzword that has come into sharper focus over the last several decades as we have come to realize that depleting our natural resources and the damage being done to the environment has reached critical levels. The word generally refers to mankind's ability to continue production of what it needs to survive and thrive now, and for generations to come.
When we speak of sustainability, however, most of us think of saving trees and natural food sources and reducing the carbon footprint, while minimizing waste and recycling. Whereas all of this is true, few would make that connection with cement trucks, excavators and bulldozers. But every element of human society bears some responsibility in keeping the earth a viable place to live.
Let’s discuss the future of sustainable heavy equipment and parts, what manufacturers are doing to help reduce the carbon footprint and increase recyclability and what companies are leading the charge in these areas.
Why It’s Necessary
First of all, let’s consider why the construction industry and heavy equipment manufacturers are making a concerted effort toward this mindset.
According to BEE Corporations, a recognized LEED Proven Provider (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), “The build environment generates 50% of landfill waste, 40% of energy usage, 40% of water contamination and 23% of air pollution. As global population and urbanization rates increase, these statistics will only worsen unless drastic changes occur.”
What drastic changes are being affected and how will they impact the industry?
The first thing that must be done to create a sustainable future is to stem the tide of unmitigated waste and destruction of the environment. Several initiatives have been undertaken worldwide to accomplish this.
The heavy equipment manufacturing space is primarily dominated by companies like Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, Volvo and others. They tend to lead the pack in terms of technological advancements, and heavily influence the drive to create this future. (For a more in-depth look at one such company, please see “Volvo: Leading the Charge in Sustainable Equipment Manufacturing.”)
Current Efforts
Lean manufacturing principles are being implemented to reduce waste and streamline operations. These processes help reduce resource consumption, enhance productivity and ensure that the material and energy are used efficiently.
Construction machine manufacturers are increasingly focusing on recycling and waste management to reduce their environmental footprint, thereby contributing to a circular economy, where resources are maximized and waste minimized.
For example, rather than discarding worn parts, leading manufacturers are reprocessing and refurbishing them, thus extending their lifecycle. This approach minimizes the continuous need for raw materials while at the same time reducing production costs. By reusing water and materials in production, water consumption is reduced and natural resources are protected.
In addition, many manufacturers are reusing materials such as metals and plastics, further cutting down on waste and raw material dependency.
Ongoing Development
Besides waste reduction, eco-friendly manufacturing methods have been implemented to reduce environmental impact. Aside from the obvious approaches to green manufacturing such as using recycled production materials and creating engines that significantly cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, some dramatic equipment designs and management systems are coming to the forefront of the heavy equipment industry.
According to a blog from ConExpo, the sponsor of national shows that focus on construction and agriculture equipment, the top three construction equipment trends for 2025 are electric-powered technology, autonomous heavy equipment and smart energy management systems.
The blog states that the electrification of heavy equipment could change the industry more than any other sustainable effort in construction. With the rapid advancement in battery technology, the shift toward electric-powered construction equipment is not only possible and necessary, but now also practical.
Even now, companies like Caterpillar and Volvo are producing electric excavators, loaders and compactors that are designed to run on clean energy. These machines produce zero emissions, reduce noise pollution and lower operating costs. ConExpo predicts that 2025 will see a more widespread adoption of electric machinery, more on-site charging stations and improved battery life.
Once only existing in the world of science fiction, autonomous machines have been on the rise in recent years. These driverless machines are equipped with advanced sensors, GPS and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems that reduce human error, fuel consumption and material waste while simultaneously lowering overall production costs.
Sustainability in construction isn’t just about the machinery; it’s also about how the energy is managed on-site.
It is predicted that smart energy-management systems will become a big part of construction projects in 2025. Using technology like the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, advanced sensors and data analytics to track energy consumption across the jobsite, will help to monitor and optimize energy use in real time; they will provide insights into determining how and where efficiency can be increased.
In addition to battery-based power, there are a number of alternative energy options being implemented today. As an intermediate step away from diesel power while all electric equipment is being further developed, the hybrid machine provides the best of both worlds.
A hybrid machine uses electric power for transport around jobsites and for light-duty operations, but can be switched to diesel when more power is required. Biofuels like biodiesel and hydrogen can be used as a cleaner alternative to diesel; and hydrogen-powered fuel cells offer zero emissions and an extended range.
Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies are contributing greatly to the ongoing development of the sustainable equipment of the future. Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, has rapidly grown beyond a curiosity for producing toys and gadgets to taking its rightful place in the manufacturing of parts for heavy machinery.
3D printers are now capable of creating large parts for prototyping and validating new designs in the heavy equipment industry. Instead of being limited to fused deposition modeling (the only material used in the early days of this technology), these machines can now print with a number of media including various types of plastics, resins and even metals. Some examples of parts that are now being produced for heavy equipment are light and mirror housings, grab handles, joysticks, air vent grills, fenders and door hinges.
Closely related is digital-twin technology that creates a virtual replica of a piece of machinery, enabling manufacturers to simulate and test performance, identify potential issues and optimize efficiency before the physical production begins. Other technologies that are making inroads into the design, manufacture and end-use of heavy machinery are AI, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, the IoT and cloud computing. With the fervent drive toward sustainability, newer and more sophisticated technologies will continue to emerge as we move into the future.
No longer the stuff of daydreams, operating a fleet of battery-powered, self-driving dozers, excavators or dump trucks is a reality just around the corner. These technologies will help to ensure that we will be able to continue the production of what we need right now in order to survive and thrive, and to make that possible for the generations to come.
