Showcasing Its Commitment to the Environment and Its Customers: Caterpillar Ships First Revolutionary D7E Track-Type Tractor

Caterpillar and Cat Dealer, Patten Industries, Deliver the First-of-Its-Kind Tractor to Long-time Customer, TJ Lambrecht


PEORIA, Ill., Dec. 22  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today presented the keys of the first innovative AC electric drive track-type tractor in the industry to long-time customer, TJ Lambrecht.  The revolutionary electric drive system developed for track-type tractors gives the D7E an unmatched combination of power, sustainability, control and maneuverability.

"Our customers are being challenged to do their work more efficiently with less impact on the environment," said Caterpillar Group President, Doug Oberhelman.  "The D7E demonstrates Caterpillar's commitment to the industry with a machine that does more work and consumes less fuel and parts, providing customers with lower owning and operating costs."  Oberhelman was recently named Caterpillar Vice Chairman effective January 1, 2010.

TJ Lambrecht, headquartered in Joliet, Illinois, is one of the most recognized heavy, civil, and earthmoving contractors in the country, with one of the largest and most current fleets of Caterpillar equipment.

"Caterpillar has been a great partner over the years, and we have a solid relationship with our dealers," said Dan Klingberg, President, TJ Lambrecht.  "Case in point was the opportunity to demo the D7E at our O'Hare Modernization Project jobsite this past summer.  We think it's going to help us mitigate fluctuations in fuel prices, as well as address the growing scope of emissions regulations.  Our whole organization is very excited about it."

The Cat C9.3 ACERT(TM) diesel engine, rated at 235 net horsepower (175 kW) in the D7E, drives a powerful electrical generator that produces AC (alternating current).  Current flows through special armored cables and military-grade connectors to a solid-state inverter, then to the propulsion module.  Within the propulsion module are two heavy-duty electric motors (using AC current) that drive through common gearing into the differential steering system.  Power from the steering system is transferred via axles to mechanical, double-reduction final drives to provide smooth, infinitely variable driving force to the tracks.  The engine in the D7E is entirely beltless, eliminating the need for belt maintenance and replacement.

Headquartered in Elmhurst, Illinois, Caterpillar Dealer, Patten Industries, was instrumental in the sale of the D7E.

"This revolutionary design consumes fewer resources over its working life than any other track-type tractor in its class.  All major components are engineered to be rebuilt or reused in the future," said Patten Executive General Manager, Larry O'Neill.  "Our customers are looking for these kinds of solutions, and we're pleased to provide them with a competitive edge."

To learn more about the Cat D7E with electric drive, visit http://www.cat.com/D7E.

About Caterpillar

For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2008 sales and revenues of $51.3 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.cat.com/.

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Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may cause actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as "will," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "should" or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements made on behalf of Caterpillar.  It is important to note that actual results of the company may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward-looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, (i) adverse change in general economic conditions; (ii) adverse change in the industries Caterpillar serves including construction, infrastructure, mining, energy, marine and electric power generation; (iii) Caterpillar's ability to manage material, including steel, and freight costs; (iv) Caterpillar's ability to generate cash from operations, secure external funding for its operations and manage its liquidity needs; (v) material adverse change in customers' access to liquidity and capital; (vi) currency exchange or interest rates changes; (vii) political stability; (viii) market acceptance of the company's products and services; (ix) significant changes in the competitive environment; (x) epidemic diseases; (xi) severe change in weather conditions negatively impacting operations; (xii) changes in law, regulations and tax rates; and (xiii) other general economic, business and financing conditions and factors described in more detail in "Item 1A - Risk Factors" in Part II of our Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on October 30, 2009 for the 3rd quarter of 2009.  This filing is available on our website at http://www.cat.com/sec_filings.  We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements. 

DATASOURCE: Caterpillar Inc.



CONTACT:  Kate Kenny, Corporate Public Affairs of Caterpillar Inc.,

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Web Site:  http://www.cat.com/ 

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