Hitachi launch new mining electric drive shovels

Five new models developed specifically for the US and Latin American markets 

HITACHI Construction Machinery have announced the introduction of five new mining electric drive shovels – the EX1900E-6, EX2600E-6, EX3600E-6, EX5600E-6 and EX8000E-6 – to the US and Latin American markets. 

The new machines are said to feature an advanced zero-emission electric motor designed to provide a cost-effective solution to mining operations where low-cost electric power is available.

‘The combination of features on the new EX- 6 electric drive shovels will deliver value to our customers by providing higher productivity and lower total cost of ownership through efficiency, reliability and durability,’ said Craig Lamarque, division manager for Hitachi.

The Hitachi TFOA-KK electric motors are said to be powerful, robust and require less overhauling, periodic inspection and service. The motor’s voltage ranges from AC 6,600V to 6,900V/60Hz; resulting in a rated continuous output from 610kW on the EX1900E-6 to 1,200kW x 2 on the EX8000E-6 model.

The EX-6 electric drive shovels has been designed with ease of daily maintenance in mind. The machines, for example, do not need costly consumables such as engine oil, filters, coolant or fan belts. 

Components related to an engine are also eliminated, such as radiators, air filters and mufflers. In addition, an auto-lubrication system eliminates cumbersome daily lubrication while a fast-filling system (for ground-level refills) helps reduce downtime. 

The mining shovels are equipped with Hitachi’s best-in-class operator station offering increased visibility and comfort. Fluid-filled elastic mounts fitted within the station have reduced cab shocks and vibration by 20-30% compared with rubber mounts, while an advanced multi-display monitor provides operators with key machine status information.

The machines also come standard equipped with a remote machine monitoring system that provides access to the shovels via computer as part of Hitachi’s Global e-Service offering. Operating data are transmitted to a Hitachi server for processing, and then to customers and dealers. This system is available 24h a day, seven days a week, all year round. 

Also available on the five electric Hitachi shovels is the optional SkyAngle system designed to increase peripheral vision around the excavator by providing synthesized multiple images captured by cameras specifically positioned at four locations around the machine. The feature displays camera views on a single monitor to allow operators an auxiliary means of checking for ground level obstacles.

As with all Hitachi’s mining machinery, the front attachments on the EX-6 units are made of welded steel plates. The boom and arm are welded from low-stress and high-tensile strength steel, providing a full box section design that resists twisting and bending forces. 

The undercarriage design of the new models is the same as Hitachi’s popular Giant EX Series. The track shoes incorporate a triple grouser design and single roller whilst roller guides are used to extend the service life of the track shoes.