Hitachi Hybrid Excavator
A trio of leading global construction equipment manufacturers have released innovative hybrid excavators. Guy Woodford reports on the new models
233 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) has launched the first of a new generation of excavators, the ZH210LC-5 hybrid. The latest innovative Zaxis-5 model has been designed to deliver reliable performance with fewer emissions and less fuel than the ZX210-3 model.
More economical for owners, easier for operators and better for the environment, the ZH210LC-5 hybrid incorporates advanced technologies adopted from hydraulic, electric and battery-powered excavators. The result is the TRIAS HX system, claimed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 by up to 31%.
The new ZH210LC-5 hybrid excavator will provide energy-saving performance, but, Hitachi claims, without compromising on power, speed or ease of operation. Thanks to the flexible combination of a proven hydraulic motor and an eco-friendly electric motor, it can give the same high levels of efficiency and smooth swing motion as all Zaxis-5 hydraulic models.
The TRIAS HX system combines a hybrid system with an energy-efficient TRIAS hydraulic system to achieve extremely low levels of fuel consumption.
Prior to launch, the ZH210LC-5 underwent a rigorous winter test in the Arctic Circle under the supervision of Finnish contractor Maansiirtoliike Kemppe (MK).
Between January and March 2014 on a road construction project in Rovaniemi, MK used the machine for earthmoving and loading trucks alongside its existing fleet of conventional medium Zaxis-3 and -5 excavators.
In freezing temperatures that plummeted to -30°C, the machine was tested to the limit by experienced operator Kari Saraniemi.
“The swing motion on the hybrid excavator means that it is even more smooth and precise than a conventional machine,” he enthused. “In addition, it is less noisy in the cab and the fuel consumption is excellent.”
Saraniemi carried out daily checks on the hybrid system in addition to the routine maintenance managed by Finnish Hitachi dealer Rotator’s technician Pasi Törmänen.
Tuomo Kemppe, owner of MK, said, “I would have no hesitation in recommending the ZH210LC-5 and we will evaluate its purchase price and running costs next time we are buying a new machine.”
2300 Komatsu Europe International has launched its HB215LC-2 hybrid hydraulic excavator onto the European market. A third generation hybrid model, the excavator has a new Komatsu EU Stage 3B engine and enhanced hybrid components. It also boasts an increased operating weight of 22.5tonnes and a bucket capacity of 1.68m³.
The HB215LC-2 is said to be the result of years of Komatsu R&D, focussing on the company’s commitment to quality, reliability and environmental stewardship.
Jim Venerus, deputy general manager for European product marketing at Komatsu Europe, said, “The KOMTRAX monitoring system, standard on Komatsu models, shows that our customers are saving, on average, 25% fuel with their Komatsu hybrid machine, along with a significant reduction of CO2 emissions.”
Yoshihiro Kobayashi, product manager for hybrid excavators at Komatsu Europe, said, “Actual [fuel] savings will depend on the application, and fuel efficiency is particularly high when operating the excavator with hydraulic attachments. We estimate that the extra investment in a Komatsu hybrid machine can typically be recovered in two years or less.”
The latest KOMTRAX technology on the HB215LC-2 increases machine availability, reduces the risk of machine theft, allows for remote diagnosis by the distributor, and provides a wealth of other information to drive business efficiency and productivity.
The HB215LC-2 is powered by the revolutionary Komatsu Hybrid System, which works on the principle of swing energy regeneration and energy storage. It includes Komatsu’s electric swing motor, power generator motor, ultra-capacitor and a powerful 104kW SAA4D107E-2-A diesel engine.
Hybrid components on the HB215LC-2 are covered by a ‘5 year or 10,000 hours’ special warranty.
Showcased at Conexpo 2014,178 Caterpillar says its new 336F H Hybrid delivers even greater fuel savings than the 336 E H Hybrid with no loss of power or productivity.
“It has hydraulic accumulators and an ACS valve and ESP pump. All three contribute to fuel consumption reduction on average of up to 25 per cent less than the 336 F,” said Kent Pellegrini, Caterpillar North American excavator product specialist. “The 336F H is now tier 4 final ready. We’re ready to go to market with it. We’re basically targeting up to five percent less fuel with the 336F H over the 336E H hybrid we had in the past.
“It’s a game changer for the hybrid industry. Saving fuel in the long run and also maximising production, that’s how (our customers) make money: payloads per ton.”
More economical for owners, easier for operators and better for the environment, the ZH210LC-5 hybrid incorporates advanced technologies adopted from hydraulic, electric and battery-powered excavators. The result is the TRIAS HX system, claimed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 by up to 31%.
The new ZH210LC-5 hybrid excavator will provide energy-saving performance, but, Hitachi claims, without compromising on power, speed or ease of operation. Thanks to the flexible combination of a proven hydraulic motor and an eco-friendly electric motor, it can give the same high levels of efficiency and smooth swing motion as all Zaxis-5 hydraulic models.
The TRIAS HX system combines a hybrid system with an energy-efficient TRIAS hydraulic system to achieve extremely low levels of fuel consumption.
Prior to launch, the ZH210LC-5 underwent a rigorous winter test in the Arctic Circle under the supervision of Finnish contractor Maansiirtoliike Kemppe (MK).
Between January and March 2014 on a road construction project in Rovaniemi, MK used the machine for earthmoving and loading trucks alongside its existing fleet of conventional medium Zaxis-3 and -5 excavators.
In freezing temperatures that plummeted to -30°C, the machine was tested to the limit by experienced operator Kari Saraniemi.
“The swing motion on the hybrid excavator means that it is even more smooth and precise than a conventional machine,” he enthused. “In addition, it is less noisy in the cab and the fuel consumption is excellent.”
Saraniemi carried out daily checks on the hybrid system in addition to the routine maintenance managed by Finnish Hitachi dealer Rotator’s technician Pasi Törmänen.
Tuomo Kemppe, owner of MK, said, “I would have no hesitation in recommending the ZH210LC-5 and we will evaluate its purchase price and running costs next time we are buying a new machine.”
The HB215LC-2 is said to be the result of years of Komatsu R&D, focussing on the company’s commitment to quality, reliability and environmental stewardship.
Jim Venerus, deputy general manager for European product marketing at Komatsu Europe, said, “The KOMTRAX monitoring system, standard on Komatsu models, shows that our customers are saving, on average, 25% fuel with their Komatsu hybrid machine, along with a significant reduction of CO2 emissions.”
Yoshihiro Kobayashi, product manager for hybrid excavators at Komatsu Europe, said, “Actual [fuel] savings will depend on the application, and fuel efficiency is particularly high when operating the excavator with hydraulic attachments. We estimate that the extra investment in a Komatsu hybrid machine can typically be recovered in two years or less.”
The latest KOMTRAX technology on the HB215LC-2 increases machine availability, reduces the risk of machine theft, allows for remote diagnosis by the distributor, and provides a wealth of other information to drive business efficiency and productivity.
The HB215LC-2 is powered by the revolutionary Komatsu Hybrid System, which works on the principle of swing energy regeneration and energy storage. It includes Komatsu’s electric swing motor, power generator motor, ultra-capacitor and a powerful 104kW SAA4D107E-2-A diesel engine.
Hybrid components on the HB215LC-2 are covered by a ‘5 year or 10,000 hours’ special warranty.
Showcased at Conexpo 2014,
“It has hydraulic accumulators and an ACS valve and ESP pump. All three contribute to fuel consumption reduction on average of up to 25 per cent less than the 336 F,” said Kent Pellegrini, Caterpillar North American excavator product specialist. “The 336F H is now tier 4 final ready. We’re ready to go to market with it. We’re basically targeting up to five percent less fuel with the 336F H over the 336E H hybrid we had in the past.
“It’s a game changer for the hybrid industry. Saving fuel in the long run and also maximising production, that’s how (our customers) make money: payloads per ton.”
