A diesel-electric tractor ground through its paces at the Olinda Alpha Landfill in Brea on Tuesday in a demonstration put on by its builder, Caterpillar.

The new D7E tractor would be used to bury trash at the landfill if OC Waste and Recycling decides to buy one in the coming fiscal year. Officials from the waste agency watched the demo, along with Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell and members of the South Coast Air Quality Management District board.

Campbell even took a turn driving the tractor (right, photo courtesy OC Waste spokeswoman Julie Chay).

Caterpillar is conducting similar demonstrations at its dealerships across the country.

The tractors, according to Caterpillar, yield 10 to 30 percent greater fuel economy using diesel-electric power; OC Waste also recently received a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District of just over $1 million to rebuild heavy equipment and cut harmful emissions.

The tractors, which cost $750,000 to $800,000, would be paid for out of the waste agency’s operating funds, Chay said, possibly with the help of grants.

(Photo of Caterpillar D7E courtesy, Caterpillar.)

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