A few questions posed to Steve Sokolsky, project manager at CALSTART and team lead on the newly-formed Commercial Construction Equipment Users Forum (CCEUF) Working Group. October 2009

When is the group meeting again and what's on the agenda?

The CCEUF will meet at HTUF 2009 in Atlanta with a half-day session that will include presentations on the military’s use of construction equipment, the electrification of off-road equipment, and hydraulic system configurations.  CCEUF will also spend time establishing the working groups. After the meeting at HTUF, CCEUF will conduct monthly conference calls/webinars. The next live meeting of the CCEUF, post-HTUF 2009, is targeted for March 2010. 

What is the CCEUF and why form this group?

We want to help foster technology advancements in the heavy construction and materials handling sectors with the ultimate goal of increasing the efficiency of construction equipment such as loaders, excavators, and dozers. Like CALSTART's other working groups, we look to collaborative relationships to contribute to advancements in tech and markets. We formed the group because there's a great potential for cleaner equipment in this sector. Construction equipment fuel consumption is significant and there is great potential for improvements in emissions reduction, too.

Where does the group see some early potential for hybridization or other fuel efficiency measures?

Initial targets for hybridization will be wheel loaders and possibly excavators.

Why?

Wheel loaders are the most versatile and ubiquitous equipment types...excavators have duty cycles that could benefit from hybridization.

How's recruitment going? Are there dues to join?

We had standing room only showing at HTUF 2008, and this year's HTUF meeting promises to be even better. While membership is free in all the working groups for interested parties, we do encourage companies to join CALSTART to gain the full benefits of all our programs, invaluable networking opportunities and discounts on events. Sometimes, there are small fees associated with live meetings as well.

Does this mean CCEUF is all full in terms of membership in the group?

Oh, no! We are always welcoming new working group members. Any collaboration between users, manufacturers and other stakeholders helps build the momentum for this nascent technology. If you and your company want to join, please contact me at ssokolsky@calstart.org

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