Inventing The
Deere & Company
Hybrid Wheel Loader
Improving Fuel Economy and Operator Productivity at Worksites
The 644K Hybrid Wheel Loader uses a hybrid electric drivetrain to boost fuel economy while providing operating advantages that allow the wheel loader to do its job more efficiently, including responsive and smooth hydraulics, fast ramp-climbing ability, and strong pushing power. Additionally, the hybrid-electric transmission contributes to improved worksite conditions by reducing fuel exhaust (as well as associated emissions) and the noise level inside and outside the cab.
The Technology
Wheel loaders are particularly well-suited to the application of electric drive technology due to the need for frequent direction changes and time spent engaging the loader’s hydraulic system as well as running the engine. In a hybrid drivetrain configuration, the wheel loader’s engine runs at a selectable constant engine speed to power the loader and a brushless generator, which delivers electricity to the electric motor and three-gear power shift transmission. During braking, the hybrid design captures otherwise lost energy by recycling it back to the engine and hydraulic system. Liquid-cooled solid-state electronics provide precise control over the entire system.
The Benefits
- Increased efficiency: The Hybrid Wheel Loader’s PowerTech™ IT4 engine and hybrid-electric transmission can boost fuel economy by 25 percent.
- Improved environmental performance and cost savings: The Hybrid Wheel Loader’s electric drivetrain configuration results in significant fuel savings, thereby lowering emissions by capturing and recycling energy during braking and reducing the amount of conventional engine torque required to power the loader.
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