Autumn arrival for new Komatsu hybrid excavator
Irish distributor says new machine likely to appeal to quarrying and crushing contractors
ACCORDING to Irish distributors McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill and Rathcoole, Komatsu’s new 36-tonne HB365LC-3 hybrid excavator has taken the principles evident in the manufacturer’s early hybrid machines and added extra muscle, improved fuel economy and enhanced technology to create a machine that will be heavily targeted at the quarrying and crushing sectors.
McHale say the HB365LC-3 is expected to be a ‘game-changer’ when the new units begin to arrive in Autumn this year – the first of which is due to be delivered to Galway’s Priority Construction, one of Ireland’s leading civil engineering contractors.
Describing the HB365LC-3 as ‘a versatile machine built for lower fuel consumption, improved operator comfort and easy maintenance’, John O’Brien, sales director at McHale, said: ‘Since being unveiled to the public at Bauma, we have received a significant number of enquiries and pre-orders. The indications suggest there is likely to be high demand for the new hybrid when it becomes available here on the market.’
As with previous hybrid models, this latest version delivers proven economies through lower fuel use and reduced emissions by combining the power of an EU Stage IV engine combined with Komatsu’s renowned hybrid system, which is kept charged by its own movement.
Comparing the machine with a standard PC360LC-11 excavator, the new hybrid unit is designed to provide 20% fuel savings, and having tested the HB365LC-3 throughout 2016 using KOMTRAX data, Komatsu say they are satisfied that the hybrid has achieved its target.
Producing ultra-low noise levels (100dB external / 68dB internal) and equipped with the same 202kW (217hp) SAA6D114E-6 engine as the PC360LC-11, the HB365LC-3 generates up to 53kW extra electric power through its hybrid system, which works on the principle of swing-energy regeneration and storage.
Energy generated during the swing-braking phase is converted to electricity and stored. Then, when accelerating under workload conditions, the stored energy is discharged to maximize machine performance and assist the engine as required.
A new model with no predecessors, McHale describe the HB365LC-3 as ‘a heavyweight excavator with a lightweight environmental impact’ and expect the hybrid to appeal to quarry and crushing contractors seeking an economic machine with proven low fuel consumption figures suited to working in high-intensity operations.
