More horsepower, consumes less fuel and one of the quietest cabs in its class

Rolling Meadows, Ill. — Komatsu America Corp., a leading global heavy equipment manufacturer, today introduced the new PC210LC-11 hydraulic excavator, a versatile, all-purpose construction machine.  Featuring a 165 horsepower, EPA Tier 4 final, SAA6D107E-3 engine, the new PC210LC-11 packs up to seven more horsepower than its predecessor and consumes up to six percent less fuel with no loss to performance or productivity.

“If you need a machine capable of doing many things well – for example, going from loading trucks to excavating trenches to placing pipe and back again – this is the excavator for you,” said Kurt Moncini, Komatsu America product manager. “For versatility and long-term value, the PC210LC-11 is tough to beat,” Moncini said.

In addition to the upgrade in horsepower and fuel efficiency, the following features and improvements come standard on the PC210LC-11 excavator:
• A new viscous fan clutch improves cooling system efficiency and helps reduce noise levels.
• Three travel speeds help reduce non-productive time moving around the job site.
• A heavy standard counterweight (9634 lbs./4370 kg) provides improved over-the-front and over-the-side lift capacity.
• A standard pattern change valve makes it easy to switch joystick patterns to accommodate specific operator preferences.
• Six work modes match engine speed and pump flow to various applications.
• Operator ID provides the capability to view KOMTRAX® data by job, application or operator.
• Komatsu’s Closed-Center Load Sensing System (CLSS) provides quick response and smooth operation to maximize productivity.
• The wide, spacious ROPS and OPG Level 1 certified cab features design upgrades that help reduce cab noise by two decibels and elevate the cab to among the quietest in its class.
• KOMTRAX® level 5 technology feeds the operator machine data, such as fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) levels, Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), regeneration status, location, cautions and maintenance alert information.
• An updated, large 7” LCD monitor has a new split-display mode, showing both a rear-camera view and key machine-gauge data at the same time.

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Following on from the updates to its large frame 6R tractors, John Deere has updated its full line-up of 6M and 6R tractors.

Mainly driven by engine emissions compliance, all new 2016 models from 110 to 195hp will get Stage 4 power units using a combination of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction SCR).

John Deere’s Craig Erskine explains: “These engines offer increased responsiveness over their predecessors and crucially have low AdBlue consumption – about 2 per cent of the fuel use.”

A new model, the 6195M, takes the 6M series to 195hp (206hp maximum). “This takes the design concept from the popular 7810, and offers more horsepower than the 8100, so we expect it to be a popular choice among stock farmers,” says Mr Erskine.

A new powershift transmission option, CommandQuad Plus, offers 20 by 20 or 24 by 24 speeds with Ecoshift mode and auto clutch.

Hydraulic system upgrades include an electronic loader joystick and the choice of four rear service valves or three with power beyond – new for this specification level – plus three mid service valves for the new R Series loader.

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Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas has launched the HX series of Tier 4 Final-compliant hydraulic excavators in the U.S. and Canada. The first models range from 22 to 52 metric tons and include the HX220L, HX260L, HX300L, HX330L, HX380L, HX480L and HX520L. Smaller models and compact radius models will follow in 2016.

The HX220L, HX260L, HX300L, HX330L and HX380L are powered by Cummins engines, while the larger HX480L and HX520L are powered by Scania engines. Both achieve Tier 4 Final compliance through a combination of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) systems using diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The new engine technologies, a more efficient vertically stacked cooling design, electronic fan clutch, plus hydraulic system innovations contribute to an overall fuel efficiency improvement of up to 10% compared with 9A series models.

Other features include a Boom Float mode for improved grading control, Fine Swing mode for improved load control when swinging, up to 13% faster cycle speeds than the 9A series models, Intelligent Power Control (IPC) for computer-aided power optimization based on load demand, and Eco Breaker mode for selectable pump flow and improved fuel consumption when working with hydraulic breakers and other attachments.

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Putzmeister America Inc. has introduced a hydraulic coupling system used for creating quicker, easier and cleaner connections on hydraulic lines that connect pedestals with placing booms to power the boom arm. The new couplers easily screw together, coupling and uncoupling while depressurized.

“Not only is the new design easy and convenient, but it’s also safer to install,” said Bob Weiglein, Putzmeister’s special applications business manager. “The new couplers will help save time on the job site, as they can easily be taken apart and reattached to the placing boom’s hydraulic lines.”

For use when disconnecting the boom from pedestal or truck in placing boom applications, the hydraulic coupling system is available on detachable placing booms, making truck-to-tower conversions a more efficient process. Additional benefits of the hydraulic coupling system include the ability to couple and uncouple each line individually, an easily accessible connection plate, and hose bundles that are re-routed and secured in a streamlined way.

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Designed to demolish rock, concrete and intact construction materials, hydraulic breakers can be a best friend on a jobsite where demolition is the end goal. Using proper operating techniques, pulverizing rock and breaking apart concrete can be accomplished efficiently and effectively. However, improper operation can just as easily derail a project, costing valuable time if a breaker fails unexpectedly on the job, or costing money by potentially increasing maintenance and/or shortening attachment life.

To ensure a long, productive life for your breakers, make sure operators are adequately trained and follow these recommended operating tips.

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MUNICH, Germany — Siemens and Statoil have jointly developed and qualified a subsea hydraulic power unit for use in offshore oil and gas fields in order to provide hydraulic power right at the well site.

The Subsea Hydraulic Power Unit (SHPU) supplies low pressure and high pressure control fluid to the subsea control modules. The subsea control module operates the hydraulic valves, the downhole safety valve and downhole chock/sliding sleeve. The hydraulic power unit can be used in the event that the umbilical fails and also as an alternative to the hydraulic lines in the umbilical. The power unit has successfully completed the qualification process, in which it has passed function tests under hyperbaric pressure equal to a water depth of 500 m.

The SHPU is an important building block in the industry-wide vision for a subsea factory, where the process plant is placed on the seabed. This unit was developed to be used as a contingency for an umbilical failure on a field in the North Sea. In addition to a repair function, the SHPU can also be used to extend the life-time of brown fields. For green field developments, especially in deep water and long step-outs, the SHPU can be a cost-efficient alternative to complex umbilical lines. The most significant advantage will be to replace hydraulic power transmission lines with local subsea hydraulic power generation and storage.

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John Reeve Plant Hire Ltd of Eastry near Sandwich, Kent has broken a long standing tradition by purchasing its first new Volvo compact excavators in the guise of two five tonne ECR50D’s.

Needing to replace a couple of ageing machines in their fleet of some 25 excavators, Director Chris Reeve evaluated the marketplace. “To be honest, Volvo wasn’t on our immediate radar but when we contacted Glosrose Construction Equipment and appraised the ECR50D we were very impressed with the build quality, the exceptional space in the cab and the way the pipework was neatly arranged on the machine,” he said. “The performance didn’t disappoint either. The machine has a very good reach besides good digging and grading performance,” he continues.

Featuring a premium 31.2 kW Volvo D2.6A engine and an advanced hydraulic system, the ECR50D provides fast and powerful response with smooth operation. The maximum break out force is 36.12 kN while the maximum tear out force is 25.93 kN, ensuring excellent performance even in tough applications. The ECR50D’s enhanced boom and attachment geometry provides a maximum digging reach of 6.29 m, a generous dig depth of 3.8m and a load over height of just over 4m. “The machine is exceptionally well balanced and is ideal for working on confined sites,” continues Chris Reeve. “One of our customers who has a machine out on long term hire is even managing to load 20 tonne trucks with spoil and overburden in just 12 minutes.”

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ABERDEEN, United Kingdom — Churchill Drilling Tools has launched the HyPR (Hydraulic Pipe Recovery) system for the rapid and cost-effective recovery of stuck pipe.

Stuck pipe situations cost operators hundreds of millions of dollars a year in wait times. The HyPR tool, developed by the Houston and Aberdeen-located company, can cut that cost significantly by enabling operators to get back on track much more quickly.

HyPR, the world’s first hydraulic pipe recovery tool, was premiered at the Deepwater Operations Exhibition in Galveston in November 2014. It was developed following extensive collaboration between Churchill Drilling Tools, deepwater and Gulf of Mexico drilling teams since 2013.

When drilling challenging wells, stuck pipe situations can be a costly interruption, incurring mobilization wait times and uncertain recovery attempts and delays.

The HyPR tool offers the simplest method to recover the drill pipe rapidly and to begin side-tracking right away. It also delivers a clean cut for operators wanting to maximize BHA recovery options.

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It hardly seems like seven years since the very first OilQuick unit in the UK supplied by ECY Haulmark back in 2008 was installed onto a Komatsu PC240 in Caerphilly, South Wales. ECY Haulmark recently revisited Bond Demolition to catch up with that very first OQ70/55 unit after being reinstalled onto a brand new Komatsu PC240, currently working on a contract demolishing an old cinema to make way for a new car park in the old coal mining town of Abertillery, South Wales.

Having just recently taken delivery of the new machine from Komatsu and a VTN MD290 selector grab attachment from ECY Haulmark, operator John Evans was more than delighted to show us how the original OilQuick unit had been reinstalled on to the new machine and was still working as good as new after all these years.

Bond Demolitions Site Manager Dean Williams explained “We are proud to be the first company in the UK to convert our machines to OilQuick, it was the best decision and just completely changed the way we tackled our demolition projects. The OilQuick is completely transferable when you choose to replace machines and this original unit on John’s machine is showing no sign of wear and tear, I firmly believe it will just last and last if looked after and maintained correctly”

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Testing wind power turbines doesn’t just require megawatts of drivetrain power, it requires sophisticated hydraulic control systems and high performance actuators to simulate blade loads. Today’s wind turbines are rated at 4 megawatts with new wind farm projects being proposed using 6 megawatt and larger units. New wind turbines exceed the capacity of any known testing capability. While these larger turbines are being built on the premise that they will perform more effectively than smaller systems, the history of the industry so far has shown that many turbine components are subjected to severe conditions. At this enormous scale, there is little experience to guide the design process, making the creation of testing facilities a critical issue.

Anticipating this trend, the Department of Energy circulated requests for proposal to create a test facility to support testing at 7.5 and 15 megawatts. In 2009, Clemson University Restoration Institute, bid and won the project based on a sophisticated concept designed by RENK Test System.

Comparing Power

The power of horizontal wind turbines is difficult to grasp. For comparison, think about a small car at 100 horsepower or 75 kW. A small school bus might be 450 HP or 336 kW. The biggest locomotive engines currently operating are approximately 3 MW. Testing at 7.5 and 15 MW might seem like a stretch, but working with an engineering team that has done many programs at 3-4 MW is what made RENK Test System the ideal partner for Clemson to team with.

RENK Test System of Augsburg, Germany is a supplier of high power, custom engineered test systems. The company specializes in complex testing of critical equipment like tank transmissions, locomotive engines, and helicopter drive trains. Each test system is engineered to deal with the unique operating conditions required for the article under test.

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