LeTourneau Generation II Loaders Now in Commercial Production

 
 
Houston, Texas – February 23, 2011

LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. is now commercially producing "Generation II" front-end wheel loaders. This new loader generation has a revolutionary, patented "Switched Reluctance" (SR) hybrid electric drive system that has been designed to recover 100 percent of the braking energy that would normally be lost during a typical loading cycle, resulting in significantly better fuel efficiency. Over the past year, two Generation II L-1150 loaders have operated at mine sites in the Western United States and Australia, and the decision to move to commercial production is based on the experience gathered from monitoring these machines.

"The new SR technology offered by LeTourneau Mining Products is a considerable step forward in the earthmoving equipment industry," stated Brad Rogers, Vice President and General Manager of LeTourneau Mining Products. "Customers will receive significant benefits of reduced machine operating cost and lower environmental impact."

The new Generation II loaders integrate a LeTourneau SR brushless generator connected to the diesel engine and a set of four LeTourneau SR traction motors with double-reduction planetary mounted within the rim of each tire, water cooled power electronics, and the proprietary LINCS II™ IGBT control system. The SR drive system delivers high electrical efficiency and extended operational life. The energy is recovered through the flywheel effect of the drive train (engine rotation, generator rotor, driveline, pump drive gear box). As the loader brakes during the loading phase and before loading the truck, energy which is normally lost is stored and used to hoist, dump and steer the machine.

In the last three months, LeTourneau has received 11 orders for the L-1150 Generation II loader. With a standard bucket capacity of 25 yd3 (19.11 m3) and operating payload of 76,000 lb (34,473 kg), the L-1150 is designed to match 150-200 ton haul trucks. Generation II technology will be available on all of LeTourneau's five loaders and dozers, including the L-2350, the world's largest wheel-based earthmoving machine, by the end of 2011.

LeTourneau Technologies designs, builds, and supports worldwide manufacturing of drilling and mining equipment. LeTourneau's vision is to be recognized by our customers as designing, building and supporting the most innovative, capable and reliable equipment for developing the world's natural resources.