Capital Equipment News October 2017

EXCAVATORS

CareTrack, Volvo Construction Equipment’s telematics system, allows access to a wide range of machine information designed to save customers time and money.

Kobelco has invested a lot of time and resources to achieve the best fuel consumption figures across its excavator range without compromising performance.

The electronic age Apart from hydraulics, electronics are playing a very significant role in improving the overall productivity of construction gear, and this is one area where design advances are taking centre stage in hydraulic excavators. For example, the Doosan DX520LCA is 5% more fuel efficient than the previous model. Several new features make this possible. Typically, the fuel pump tends to supply flow even when the maximum pressure on the system has been reached due to severe working environments and large workloads. Doosan’s Relief Cutoff technology prevents transfer of unnecessary fuel flow, but keeps a desired working level at the maximum value while reducing consumption of fuel. Relief Cutoff technology is said to save between 20-30% of fuel in heavy workload applications. Kobelco has invested a lot of time and resources to achieve the best fuel consumption figures across its excavator range without compromising performance. “For this reason, all Kobelco excavators have two digging modes – H mode for heavy duty and higher performance, and S mode for normal operations with lower fuel consumption. Real life situations show that the S mode can deliver around 20% reduction in fuel when performing the same tasks as same-sized machines, while engagement of the H mode delivers 8% more productivity at the same fuel burn as competitor machines,” says Coetzer.

for excavator manufacturers. The Doosan DX520LCA has several features focused at the operator. The Electronic Power Optimising System (e-POS), said to be the brains of the machine, has been improved compared with its predecessor. It now comes with a Controller Area Network (CAN) communication link, which enables continuous exchange of information between the engine and the hydraulic system, perfectly synchronising the two crucial components. Through its various features, the new e-POS system guarantees ease of operation and user-friendliness. For example, an operational memory provides a graphic display of the status of the machine, while its automatic deceleration mode also means better fuel saving. A new user-friendly LCD monitor panel gives the operator full access to machine settings and maintenance-related data. The control panel is very clear, simple to read and positioned for ease of use. The PC monitoring function enables connection to the e-POS system. Thus, various parameters, including pump pressures, engine rotation and engine speed, can be checked during maintenance. Teece says operator comfort is extremely crucial. “This is why Volvo invests so much in the operator cab – an operator spends a large part of the day in the cab and it is essential that they are comfortable and able to focus on the job at hand, which in turn should result in higher output,” he reasons. With the operator in mind, Volvo CE offers a large, spacious cab, with high visibility by employing thin pillars in the cab structure, as well as multi-adjustable suspension seats, which can be adjusted independently to the joystick consoles, ensuring operators of all sizes can find a comfortable operating position. “Low in-cab sound levels, ergonomic layout of switches and controls

According to Teece, electronic control of the engine and hydraulics are now fundamental in the designing of Volvo excavators, as this ensures the machine is operating at optimum performance and providing the best productivity and fuel efficiency. “Volvo engineers have also done a fantastic job by designing a unique and patented electronic control of certain machine functions, which reduces losses in the hydraulic system – again ensuring optimum performance and even better class- leading fuel efficiency,” he says. Teece further reiterates that electronics are very essential in today’s operating environment. “Not only for the optimum control of the machine’s performance, but also for machine monitoring, fault warnings and diagnosis, as well as remote monitoring, for example, using the Volvo Caretrack system,” he says. Coetzer says electronics significantly affect the versatility of the machine when it comes to switching between different functions and from a diagnostics point of view. The Kobelco range uses an Intelligent Total Control System (ITCS) – an electronic system which responds quickly to sudden changes in hydraulic load to ensure that the engine runs as efficiently as possible with minimum wasted output. Operator comfort A machine’s productivity revolves around its operator, and provision of optimum operator comfort is proving to be another area of focus

“All Kobelco excavators have two digging modes – H mode for heavy duty and higher performance, and S mode for normal operations with lower fuel consumption.”

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