Boosting Excavator Performance

New machinery launches in the excavator market underscore how competitive the market is, while customers benefit from improved productivity and reliability.

Caterpillar has launched a number of new excavator models in recent years. In Egypt, the mid-size range corresponds with important customer segments, with the 30-tonne the most important overall, says Hassan Shehata, Regional Business Manager at Mantrac Group. Two new Next Generation models for this segment have been released, the 330 GC and the 330. The 330 has more advanced technology, making it much more productive for specialised applications.

Hammering applications currently represent 70% of total excavator use in the Egyptian market, due to high demand in the construction sector and related industries such as quarry and aggregate. But while infrastructure projects, including road construction, new cities and real estate development, have been driving demand, expected growth in agriculture and irrigation system projects will see greater use of excavators in bucket applications and balance the split between hammering and bucket configuration needs, says Shehata.

Caterpillar’s designers focused on simultaneously improving overall productivity and reducing operating costs. An important innovation was weight reduction in the boom and the stick, enabling the machine to have a larger bucket size and increased lifting capacity.

The new CAT 330 GC.

Due to improved hydraulics, including a new hydraulic control system that eliminates the need for a pilot circuit and reduces power losses, a machine cooling system that now has multiple smaller fans that can work on demand, and with lower engine RPMs, overall fuel efficiency has been improved. This is an important consideration for contractors, given the high costs of diesel in Egypt, notes Shehata. Friction from the oil going through the hoses is a big drag on a machine’s hydraulic power, so reduction of the hydraulic surface area, such as through elimination of the pilot circuit, means more power is available for machine productivity.

“The fuel cost element in the medium-sized machines represents around 40% of total operating costs, so any saving in the field will make a big impact in minimising operating costs,” he says, explaining that these results are based on machine operation records and customer feedback.

Maintenance costs have also been reduced, through reducing the number of filters and extending the life of both oils and filters. A new hydraulic return filter has a 3,000-hour service life – a 50% increase over the previous filter – and fuel system filters are synchronised for service at 1,000 hours, a 100% increase over the previous filters. A new air filter with integrated pre-cleaner and primary and secondary filters has double the dust-holding capacity of the previous design.

As a consequence of the new hydraulic design, less oil is used in the hydraulic circuit, meaning lower running costs. “Overall, the machine designers have managed to reduce fuel and maintenance costs while improving productivity and performance,” says Shehata.

The 20-tonne range

In March 2019 Komatsu launched its new 20-tonne excavator, the PC210-10MO. This is the largest excavator weight class segment in the South Africa market; the main buyers are construction, plant hire companies, and forestry and agriculture. 

Key features on the new machine include a more powerful engine, a larger bucket size (from 1.0m3 up to 1.2m3) and improved fuel consumption. This results in greater digging power thanks to a 12% gain in engine power, and a P-mode setting provides maximum digging power in a single controlled burst. Komatsu claims an overall 20% improvement in fuel consumption.

“Put simply, the PC210-10MO is more productive, powerful and economical than its predecessors against a background of improved operator safety and comfort, together with the latest cab-based information technology. This takes a product which has always delivered to the next level,” says Komatsu South Africa GM Marketing and Sales Mike Helm.

Enhanced operator comfort comes from a suspension seat, auto A/C and low noise level in the cab, with the machine significantly quieter than its competitors. An LCD display provides the operator with details about the condition and performance of the machine, while cab instrumentation warns the operator of excess idling and shows the operational modes.

The machine promises lower maintenance costs, with the extension of replacement cycle times for hydraulic oil filters from 1,000 to 2,500 operating hours. There is easy access to engine oil and lubrication system filters, which are integrated to be positioned on one side of the machine.

Hyundai CE launched a number of new excavators in 2019.

Range expansion 

Hyundai CE launched a number of new excavators in 2019. The R220LC-9S tracked excavator, considered a premium machine in the Hyundai range, is designed to cope safely and efficiently in all conditions, including steep and slippery terrain in remote locations. Its specifications include operating weight of 21.9 tonnes, bucket digging force of 133.4kN and arm crowd force of 144.2kN.

“New innovations include the two-stage auto deceleration system and a highly efficient economy mode that reduces fuel consumption and minimises the negative impact on the environment,” explains Ross Collard, Managing Director of HPE Africa, the distributor for Hyundai CE in southern Africa.

“A Tier 2 Hyundai HM 5.9 engine with a power rating of 107kW at 1,950RPM offers efficient fuel consumption of an average 15.00 litres per hour in economy mode, an average of 16.62 litres per hour in standard mode, and an average of 18.17 litres per hour in power mode. Added to this, these machines have an efficient pump flow rated at 2 x 222.3 litres per minute.”

Other features include a long undercarriage design – with nine rollers on each side – for greater stability in tough operating conditions. The undercarriage has tapered side frames for efficient debris clean-out, a sealed track chain with urethane seals, a track rail guard, a grease-type track tensioner, and safe, comfortable bolt-on steps.

In addition to the R220LC-9S, the Korean brand also launched the R330LC-9S and R480LC-9S excavator, weighing 32,700kg and 49,500kg respectively. The high-performance machines are designed for tough conditions in various industries, including construction, mining and quarrying, and agriculture.

“As part of our commitment to meeting exact market demand and to constantly improving our service standards, the HPE Africa team works closely with customers to gain a thorough understanding of changing conditions in different sectors,” says Alex Ackron, Managing Director HPE Africa.

“Through the introduction of new construction machines – delivered in required sizes, with specified capacities and necessary performance features – the company ensures customers continue to achieve the highest levels of productivity, cost-effective operation and enhanced safety on-site. Expansion of our range means customers have access to more machines with greater capacity options and are able to select the right-size excavator, with no compromise on performance.”