Continuous research and development aimed at reducing the environmental impact of powered machinery has always been at the heart of Kubota’s initiatives.
Kubota continues to pursue its ambitions of ensuring its leading-edge engine offerings make machinery more productive and more fuel efficient.
“We’re bringing in new power sources and technologies that are key to the longer-term survival and longer-term product development strategies of our clients,” said Daniel Grant, Manager Marketing Intelligence, Business Unit Engine Europe, Kubota UK.
“For example, our enhanced Information Communication Technology provides connectivity between the operator, the machine and the environment in which it is working.
“This is primarily from data exchange for greater productivity and improved customer cost of ownership. We are striving to meet net zero and also to help our customers do so. We want to be a business solution partner to our customers, not just a supplier of engines,” he added.
As part of the requirement to make power sources even cleaner there is an increasing focus on developing more exact communication and control of engines and machines.
Even below 19 kW there is a requirement for full electronic control of engines. At bauma 2022, two of the headline engines on the Kubota stand feature state-of-the art technology which expands the fully electronically controlled engine line-up below 19 kW. They are the D902-K and a new TVCR engine.
As an example of how Kubota research is spearheading a drive towards more environmentally friendly engines, the new D902-K has a smoke level well below visible smoke levels even at 100% load.
Furthermore, unlike the earlier models, the new D902-K generates no visible smoke at engine start-up and blue white smoke disappears in 2.5 seconds compared with 26.2 seconds with a previous version of the engine. The D902-K is also 5% more fuel efficient than the current mechanical equivalent.
There is a growing demand, for example, for hybrid engines which are ideal for applications that require intermittent overloads. Such equipment would include non-highway machines used on sites, forklifts, road rollers and sweepers.
Previously, it was regarded that a large engine was the sole choice for managing intermittent overloads which only comprise a small part of a duty cycle. Kubota Micro Hybrid Technology uses a motor generator which provides 10 kW of electrical boost power for occasional sudden loads thus allowing engines to be downsized without a loss of performance.
There is also an increasing desire for the use of decarbonized fuel such as HVO -Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil – as a replacement for diesel and for enhanced lithium-ion concepts and the use of hydrogen to power engines. All are subjects Kubota is examining and researching.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and means there is an increased focus by companies, including manufacturers of powered equipment and power sources, to offer smokeless and carbonless offerings.
Grant added: “The challenges facing all facets of manufacturing from an environmental point of view means companies such as Kubota are providing real impetus towards our goals minimising harmful emissions around the world.”
Kubota Micro Hybrid Technology and the new TVCR engines will be on show on the Kubota stand at bauma 2022, Munich, Germany, October 24-30, 2022 (Hall A4, Stand 327).
