case uncovers methane powered loader concept

Prototype reduces carbon dioxide and particulate matter emissions by up to 99 per cent compared to its diesel counterparts, CASE claimed

CASE Construction Equipment has its eyes firmly set on a sustainable future with the recent unveiling of Project TETRA- its new Natural Gas methane-powered wheel loader concept.

Making its public debut at Bauma 2019 in Munich, Germany, the prototype unit is CASE’s first Natural Gas powered construction machine.

It features a 6-cylinder Natural Gas engine from FPT Industrial’s NEF family offering up to 230hp and 1184Nm of torque. FPT said the engine offers diesel-like performance with the same reliability and durability but with a smoother and quieter drive.

The same engine was featured in New Holland Agriculture’s methane tractor prototype revealed in 2013 and further refined in 2017.

The engine runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which according to FPT, emits 15 per cent less carbon dioxide and 99 per cent less particulate matter than its diesel-based counterpart.

FPT Industrial’s NEF engine uses stoichiometric technology which ensures the correct chemical balance between air and methane in every working condition, delivering clean combustion and low emissions. With optimised combustion comes better engine efficiency and running cost savings of 10 to 30 per cent, FPT added.

The highly stable spark-ignited combustion system also reduces vibration and engine noise by up to 5dB in comparison with conventional diesel engines, which translates to a 50 per cent reduction in drive-by noise, according to FPT.

Thanks to the lower greenhouse gas emissions that the engine produces, CASE’s TETRA loader concept is able to operate in regulated urban and indoor environments without the need for ventilation equipment.

Some parties that CASE Construction said could benefit from the TETRA loader include waste management companies and construction contractors who are increasingly under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint in order to win and retain contracts.

FPT Industrial has been developing Natural Gas engines for the on-road market for more than 20 years, with over 40,000 units installed in vans, trucks and buses.

Its Natural Gas engine line-up ranges in power from 136hp to 460hp and are capable of running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Biomethane, with the latter reportedly capable of reducing carbon dioxide emission levels close to zero.