The last big revolution in the construction equipment industry was high pressure hydraulics in the 1970s, which led to the development of hydraulic excavators, so some 40 years on another major shift is probably due. According to Caterpillar group presidents Stu Levenick and Gerard Vittecoq, such recognised components as the mechanical drive and perhaps even the diesel engine could soon be as obsolete as horses and steam engines. Gerard Vittecoq is responsible for Caterpillar's energy and power systems group, which includes gas, diesel and electrical power systems for industries as diverse as rail, marine and power generation, as well as construction and mining machinery.
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