Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1534835
Komatsu Claims "World's First Large Hydrogen-Combustion Dump Truck" Komatsu says it has begun testing "the world's first large dump truck equipped with a hydrogen combus- tion engine." An HD785 rigid-frame truck has been equipped with the internal combus- tion system and is under- going "proof-of-concept tests" at Komatsu's Ibaraki Plant in Japan, the compa- ny reported February 19. e truck has a 92-met- ric-ton payload, and its diesel counterpart delivers 1,200 horsepower. "is marks the world's first attempt to equip a large dump truck with a hydrogen combustion engine," Komatsu says. "rough these tests, Komatsu aims to accu- mulate knowledge on hydrogen engine utiliza- tion, laying the foundation for future development of 'hydrogen-powered construction and mining equipment.'" e hydrogen combus- tion truck is the result of a partnership with German startup company KEYOU, which has developed ret- rofit hydrogen engines to convert diesel engines. e engine differs from hydrogen fuel-cell tech- nology. Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen to create electricity to fuel an electric engine. In contrast, a hydrogen combustion engine is similar to oth- er internal combustion engines and uses hydrogen as fuel. Komatsu says the system costs less than battery power and hydrogen fuel cells because it can still use many of the same power- train components as a die- sel engine. And it produces near zero pollution, with water vapor being the main emission. On the concept HD785, the hydrogen tank is mounted on a platform by the cab, which Komatsu says enables "maximum hydrogen storage capacity." To improve visibility for the operator, Komatsu add- ed cameras and monitors. Komatsu acknowledg- es safety concerns with hydrogen engines as well as a shortage of available hydrogen fueling infra- structure, but it says it "will work to address these issues in collaboration with industry associations and other related stakeholders. "... e proof-of-concept tests will focus on evaluat- ing driving performance, continuous operating hours, fuel efficiency and verifying safety measures related to high-pressure hydrogen gas usage." Along with the hydrogen combustion technology, Komatsu is also developing hydrogen fuel-cell machin- Komatsu's concept HD785 with hydrogen combustion engine. The truck has a 92-metric-ton payload, and its diesel counterpart delivers 1,200 horsepower. Source: Komatsu ery. It announced in Decem- ber 2023 a partnership with GM to develop a hydrogen fuel cell module for its 930E electric-drive mining truck. It has also developed a concept hydrogen fuel cell system for a medium-sized excavator in partnership with Toyota. Other construction equip- ment manufacturers are also looking to hydrogen as an alternative fuel to lower car- bon-dioxide emissions. Here's a look at some recent innovations: • JCB has debuted sev- eral hydrogen-powered machine prototypes, in- cluding a backhoe load- er, a Loadall telescopic handler and a 220X excavator, as well as a mobile refueler for the hydrogen-powered ma- chines. Most recently, it won approval to sell a hydrogen combustion engine in Europe. • Liebherr revealed the world's first large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine, the L 566 H, in 2024. • Caterpillar launched a hydrogen-hybrid project with its new Cat 13D engine last year. Nuts & Bolts continued on page 38 NUTS & BOLTS Continued from page 34 36 IDA Universal April - May 2025