Komatsu used CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011
for the global launch of its second-generation hybrid excavator, the HB215LC-1
– and claimed it was the world’s only production hybrid earthmoving machine.
The 23.8US ton (21.6tonne) machine
uses Komatsu’s recently-developed electric swing motor, power generator motor,
“Ultra Capacitor” and a 141hp (104kW) diesel engine to achieve an average of
25% fuel savings compared with its conventional equivalent machine.
The price of the HB215LC-1 is
about 30% higher than the equivalent-sized conventional PC200LC-8, although
government subsidies or incentives in some markets may reduce this. Payback
times will depend on application and fuel prices.
Its release follows three years
of trials, research and development on Komatsu’s first-generation PC200LC-8
Hybrid, of which more than 700 have been sold around the world, notching up a
total of more than 1 million hours of operation.
According to Armando Nájera,
Komatsu America Corp’s product manager, hydraulic excavators, the experience
and feedback gained from the first generation hybrid has been incorporated in
the second-generation machine.
He said that Komatsu’s strategy
with its hybrid excavator concept has been to develop a machine that is almost
identical to a conventional excavator from the operator’s point of view.
“Essentially an operator who is
used to a conventional excavator can jump in a hybrid, and it will feel like
they are operating an identical machine.”
Nájera said Komatsu had opted to
introduce the hybrid concept in the 23US ton (20 tonne) class, as it is the
single largest class for earthmoving equipment globally.
“There is the potential to get a
lot of these machines out there, so that we have the volume in the marketplace.
If it is successful in this class, the technology is easily scalable up or
down,” he said.
