Caqital Equipment News October 2018

EXCAVATORS

response. They require the operator to make a choice between saving fuel and being slow, or working hard and burn more. “Caterpillar has introduced a Smart Mode operation on its new range of Cat excavators. The mode constantly monitors how the operator is working. If the operator is working slowly and not using maximum flow, engine speed will automatically reduce slightly to save fuel, and as soon as the operator resumes fast operations, engine speed will go back to normal. The system generates about 10% incremental savings without any impact on productivity,” explains Sarignac. Enhanced hydraulic systems In addition, manufacturers have found many ways to increase the efficiency of hydraulic systems through improved valve designs and optimised work modes. According to Boyers, the JS305 has two working modes, Eco and Power. “The Eco mode offers precise, efficient excavation, resulting in significant lower fuel consumption. The JCB JS305 also benefits from an innovative hydraulic regeneration system which recycles oil across the cylinders for faster cycle times and reduced fuel consumption,” says Boyers. Donkersloot says Volvo excavators offer the latest in operating sophistication. “For example, pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, while maintaining digging power and maximum swing torque,” he says. Faucher says Cat’s Next Generation of excavators is equipped with electro- hydraulic (EH) valves that provide several benefits over pilot-operated valves. These include reduced pressure losses, which help reduce fuel consumption; fewer hydraulic lines on the 320 and 323 Next Generation excavators, resulting in 20% less oil required, thereby lowering long- term operating costs; and positive flow control, which puts energy where needed precisely, when needed. “Pilot lines and associated filters are no longer required and so the associated maintenance costs are eliminated. Our EH valves are combined with larger pumps to allow productivity to be maintained while the engine RPMs are reduced. Finally, EH valves allow the integration of solutions to improve job site efficiency,

“With traditional engine control systems, engine speed is constantly monitored, and if an increase in hydraulic load causes a drop in engine speed, the engine control system will deliver more fuel to get back to desired engine speed. Because there is no anticipation, the engine speed fluctuates, and the fluctuations can be quite high. If the engine speed is low, the machine could stall.”

Laurent Sarignac, excavation product marketing specialist for Africa, Middle East

Hyundai Construction Equipment’s IPC controls power depending on work environments.

at Caterpillar we manufacture both machines and engines, we can go a step further and make sure the two systems communicate,” he says. “For example, with traditional engine control systems, the engine speed is constantly monitored, and if an increase in hydraulic load causes a drop in engine speed, the engine control system will deliver more fuel to get back to the desired engine speed,” says Laurent Sarignac, excavation product marketing specialist for Africa, Middle East. “Because there is no anticipation, the engine speed fluctuates, and the fluctuations can be quite high. If engine speed is low, the machine could stall,” adds Sarignac. With the latest Cat excavators, Sarignac says the engine and hydraulic systems work together. “The hydraulic system tells the engine ahead of time to inject more fuel and how much, and this reduces fluctuations in engine speed. The engine runs at a lower speed without the risk of

stalling under load and allows for greater fuel economy,” says Sarignac. According to Donkersloot, modern Volvo excavators all come with ECO mode, which delivers up to 5% improvement in fuel efficiency – without any loss of performance in most operating conditions. It also features a stop-start engine function to reduce fuel consumption after the machine is inactive for a pre-set period. Meanwhile, Hyundai Construction Equipment’s (HCE) Intelligent Power Control (IPC) controls power depending on work environments. The mode can be selected and released on the monitor. On the excavation mode, pump flow can be easily controlled by a lever, reducing fuel consumption significantly. When it comes to work modes, Sarignac reasons that in many instances the different machine working modes have an impact on engine speed (and therefore the maximum hydraulic flow) and engine

such as Grade Assist and Payload technologies, standard on the Cat

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS OCTOBER 2018 18