Komatsu introduce world’s first hybrid excavator

AS part of their commitment to reduce the environmental impact of their machines, including cutting down on CO2 emissions, Komatsu Ltd have begun selling what they claim is the world’s first hybrid hydraulic excavator, the PC200-8 Hybrid.

For the time being, however, the machine will only be available in the Japanese market.

Powered by Komatsu’s proprietary hybrid system, which uses a newly developed electric motor to turn the excavator’s upper structure, together with a power generation motor, a capacitor and a diesel engine, the hybrid model is said to use, on average, about 25% less fuel than a standard PC200-8 hydraulic excavator, depending on the nature of the application.

In actual operational tests with customers, Komatsu say they have confirmed a maximum reduction in fuel consumption of 41% in one particular task that required frequent rotation of the machine’s upper structure.

While standard equipment normally uses a hydraulic motor to turn the upper structure, the PC200-8 Hybrid uses an electric motor. Energy generated by the upper structure when it slows down while turning is stored in the capacitor and used to assist the power of the diesel engine, via the power generation motor, when the engine accelerates.

Komatsu say that by utilizing the regenerated energy in this way, the engine can operate at lower revs with greater combustion efficiency. In addition, when the engine is running at idle, the hybrid system keeps the revs at a super-low level, resulting in significant reductions in fuel consumption.

For further information, contact Kevin Broman at Komatsu Europe International N.V. on tel: +32 2 255 24 58