Komatsu launches hybrid in Europe

Komatsu Europe International expects its new Hybrid HB215LC-1 hydraulic excavator, made available in 2011 to selected Komatsu distributors, to attract a great deal of attention at Intermat.

The HB215LC-1 replaces the PC200-8 Hybrid, which was showcased at Bauma 2010, and has an operating weight of 21.22 tonnes, with bucket sizes ranging from 0.8m³ to 1.05m³.

The HB215LC-1 is powered by the Komatsu Hybrid System, which includes Komatsu's recently-developed electric swing motor, power generator motor, capacitor and a 104kW diesel engine.

Komatsu developed its hybrid system to work on the principle of swing energy regeneration and energy storage using the Komatsu Ultra Capacitor system. Komatsu's Ultra Capacitors are said to provide fast energy storage and instantaneous power transmission.

The PC240LC-10 hydraulic excavator, introduced to the European market in November 2011, will also be at Intermat. Komatsu said that its Dash 10 machines featured improved efficiency, lower fuel consumption, better operator comfort, and enhanced serviceability to maximise productivity and lower operating costs.

Weighing in at up to 26.1 tonnes, the PC240LC-10 is powered by a Komatsu SAA6D107E-2 engine with a flywheel horsepower of 132kW, and is Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim emission certified. It is described as an environmentally-friendly engine with 5% more power and up to 10% less fuel consumption. A fully automatic switchable auto-deceleration system can reduce fuel usage during idle conditions by up to 30%, according to the company.

The PC240LC-10 is equipped with the latest Komtrax technology, which sends machine operating information to a secure website via wireless technology.

The Komatsu PC700LC-8 excavator is another machine launched at the end of last year which will be on show.

The PC700LC-8 has a gross horsepower of 323kW and an operating weight between 65.54kg and 67.10kg. Bucket capacities up to 5.58m³ can be installed, depending on boom and arm length, material density, and application conditions.

A new, highly rigid cab includes a fixed, laminated front windscreen for increased operator protection, a heated high-back air-suspension seat, and a standard rear-view camera giving the visibility and control to maximise productivity. A widescreen LCD colour monitor panel integrates Komtrax Step 3 functions with fuel consumption monitoring.

The introduction of the PW98MR-8 midi excavator came in July 2011. Komatsu claimed it was currently the only short-tail in its class.

Komatsu said that despite its compact design, the PW98MR-8 featured excellent lifting capacity and an unrivalled working range. The standard rear counterweight was redesigned and integrated into the tail of the machine, protecting the back side from impact and damage.

The company said the PW98MR-8 had a reduced turning radius and the operator could therefore concentrate on the front working area with fewer worries about what is happening behind the machine.

In 2011, Komatsu introduced the PC118MR-8 crawler excavator and the PW118MR-8 wheeled excavator, which will both be shown at Intermat 2012.

Built by Komatsu Utility Europe in Este, Italy, a factory that manufactures and distributes Komatsu machines under 12 tonnes worldwide, these excavators have an engine power of 72kW and operating weights of 11.8 tonnes and 12.3 tonnes.

Komatsu said that their small turning radius and compact size meant these excavators were particularly suited for road construction and urban job sites.

Another addition last year from Komatsu was a new line of D65-17 crawler dozers, powered by the fuel efficient and larger displacement 8.9 Litre, EU Stage IIIB Komatsu SAA6D114E-5 engine, which claims to have saved an additional 5% in fuel consumption over the EU Stage IIIA model it replaces.

A standard (EX), low ground pressure (PX) and a wide track (WX) models are available. Operating weight ranges from 22 tonnes to 23.8 tonnes.

Developed primarily as a multipurpose unit for applications ranging from heavy duty dozing to fine grading, the D65-17 combines the Sigmadozer blade, on the EX and WX models, with "a highly efficient automatic transmission with torque converter lock-up to achieve exceptional productivity and extremely low fuel consumption", according to Komatsu.

Its HM300-3 articulated truck, another launch from last year, has a flywheel horsepower of 242kW, and is powered by a Komatsu SAA6D125E-6 engine that is Stage IIIB and Tier 4 Interim emission certified.

It features a gross vehicle weight of 52.23 tonnes, with a payload of 28.1 tonnes at its maximum ground speed of 58.6kph. There is a completely redesigned traction control system, and with an optimised cabin layout and increased durability, Komatsu said it made the HM300-3 a comfortable, highly productive and low cost production unit.

The Komatsu GD555-5 and GD675-5 graders are said to combine the characteristics of the previous Dash 3 series with new features that focus on high performance and fuel efficiency, operator comfort, safety and easy serviceability. The GD555-5 will be at Intermat.

At the heart of the new graders is a powerful, low emission and electronically-controlled common rail injection SAA6D107E-1 Komatsu engine. Both machines have a three stage Variable Horse Power Control (VHPC), and fuel consumption is claimed to be lower than on the previous Dash 3 models.