A notable development for the demolition sector has been the availability of three new ruggedised excavators bearing the names of key manufacturers. These excavators have all been specially configured to cope with the extremely tough demolition sector, one of the harshest working environments for any piece of off-highway equipment.
Pennsylvania-based Caterpillar dealer Cleveland Brothers has built a one-of-a-kind demolition machine for its customer Independence Excavating in the US. The client had asked if a Cat 6015 excavator would make a suitable base for a rugged and versatile machine that could be used on demolition projects.
In 2022, Cleveland Brothers Equipment partnered with its customer Independence Excavating to modify the Cat 6015. This was equipped with a Fortress 145FS Series Mobile Shear, while the working range of the machine was extended with a custom-designed and built Pierce Pacific three-piece boom/stick. The resulting machine is capable of tearing down, wrecking, cutting and processing materials in difficult to reach places.
Critical components have all been protected to ensure long life, while the machine is also equipped with numerous safety features. Independence Excavating’s Demolition maintenance manager, Ryan Lebeau said, “Its performance is impressive.”
LeBeau says that his team chose to partner with Cleveland Brothers because of the close relationship and previous experience purchasing Cat 6015s from them. “About 85% of our fleet is Cat machines,” he said. “Because we have contracts across the country, the nationwide serviceability and parts that Cat offers are key.”
As projects come up, Lebeau said the machine will most likely be travelling around the US.
New from Develon (Doosan) comes the DX245DM-7 demolition excavator, a ruggedised version of the firm’s 25tonne class excavator. With its heavy-duty specification, the new DX245DM-7 weighs 31tonnes and has been designed for tough, high-reach demolition works using hydraulic attachments.
The machine replaces the previous DX235DM-5 model and is powered by the firm’s own DL06P diesel, which meets the Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions requirements and delivers 129kW at 1800rpm. The DX245DM-7 forms part of the firm’s range of demolition excavators that also includes the heavier 47tonne DX380DM-7 and 61tonne DX530DM-7 models.
As with other demolition machines from the company, the DX245DM-7 has a high visibility, tiltable cab that is suited to high-reach demolition applications and offers a 30° tilting angle.
Another key feature of the DX245DM-7, which is shared with the other models in the range, is its modular boom design and hydraulic lock mechanism. This provides a versatile solution that allows the customer to use the same excavator for other applications onsite, as well as demolition.
The design enables the operator to change between a demolition boom and an earthmoving boom to allow different types of work on the same project. A stand is provided to assist with the boom changing operation, which uses quick-change hydraulic and mechanical coupler connections. A cylinder-based system is used to push the locking pins into place to complete the procedure. The multi-boom design also means that the earthmoving boom can be mounted in two different ways. Along with the demolition boom, this permits three different configurations for the same base machine.
For the DX245DM-7 equipped with the 18m-long demolition boom, the range allows the machine to work with a demolition attachment to a maximum height of 16m. The recommended maximum combined weight for the attachment and quick coupler in this mode is 2.5tonnes. The maximum pin height of the demolition boom on the DX245DM-7 is 18m.
When equipped with the digging boom in the straight configuration, the DX245DM-7 can work to a maximum height of over 9.8m. In this format, the recommended maximum weight for the attachment and quick coupler is 3.3tonnes.
Using the digging boom in the alternative bent configuration, the DX245DM-7 can work with an attachment to a maximum height of 8m. In this mode, the recommended maximum weight for the attachment and quick coupler is 3.3tonnes.
The DX245DM-7 has a hydraulically adjustable undercarriage, which extends to a maximum width of 3.74m to provide optimum stability when working on demolition sites. The width of the undercarriage can be retracted hydraulically to 2.54m in the narrow width position for transport. The system uses a lubricated, internal cylinder design.
Standard safety features include a FOGS cab guard, safety valves for the boom, intermediate boom and arm cylinders and a stability warning system. Biggest of these machines is the highly versatile demolition excavator now offered by Komatsu in the shape of its new PC490HRD-11. This novel machine can be used for high-reach demolition work when equipped with breakers or cutters. However, it features a quick-change boom system that means it can be converted easily for other duties.
Komatsu’s in-house boom change system includes oversized quick connectors for the hydraulic lines, to minimise back pressure and oil heating without restricting oil flow. The system also features hydraulically-powered pins which are mounted inside the main boom structure, reducing risk of damage.
Changing the boom over takes just a few minutes and this is rested on a special stand when not required. Power for the machine comes from a Tier 4 Final/Stage V compliant diesel that delivers 362kW. Operating weights for the machine vary widely from 55.2tonnes up to 73.4tonnes, depending on the size of boom and attachment being used.
Using the firm’s novel K100 system, the machine offers a high-reach of 28m and an extended high-reach of 32m. The machine is able to handle a range of demolition attachments from 2.5tonnes at the 32m extended high-reach arrangement, up to 3.35tonnes in the 28m high-reach arrangement, and up to 5tonnes for the digging or medium height arrangements.
To maximise stability, the heavy-duty undercarriage is hydraulically adjustable while the operator benefits from a graphical working range indication system, with an integrated arm end camera display. Customers have the choice of an optional arm end camera also. Other safety features include the proven KomVision surround view system, a neutral position detection system and a fully regulation compliant tilting cab.
According to Komatsu, the cab of a machine with the K100 system looks similar to that of the conventional boom change machine. All the controls of the K100 system are incorporated within the human/machine interface (HMI) panel, which is the working range indicator system in normal use. The HMI panel offers instructional animations as well as a built-in view from the alignment camera so that the operator is aware of machine condition at all times. No additional monitors are needed, ensuring the view from the operator cab remains uninterrupted.
To ensure that the machine copes with the tough demolition environment, the machine features a heavy-duty structure as well as proven Komatsu components.
The standard safety and fleet management equipment fitted to the PC490HRD-11 are retained with the K100 boom change system, with the Neutral Detection System, Komatsu Care, KomVision and Komatsu’s telematic system Komtrax all featuring in the standard specification.
Versatility is ensured due to the Komatsu standard powered pin connection system and the optional K100 quick-change boom connection system. Using the different front ends allows for six different working arrangements, with a boom extension system for high-reach working. Customers can also change over to the digging boom for more conventional excavator tasks if required.onsite. This also means that the customer may require one less machine onsite.
