Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) says it is putting owners and operators in complete control with its next generation of Zaxis-7 large excavators. The new ZX490LCH-7, ZX530LCH-7, ZX690LCH-7 and ZX890LCH-7 Stage V-compliant models have an industry-leading cab with first-class comfort and safety features. Hitachi says their exceptional reliability, efficiency and productivity provide owners with opportunities to increase profits and reduce costs.
An impressive claimed fuel saving of up to 20% in PWR mode (power mode) compared to previous models is said to be achieved by Hitachi’s industry-leading HIOS-V hydraulic system. This also enhances efficiency in the swing, boom lowering and arm bucket roll-out. Productivity is further increased by the improved front speed for loading operations, and the increased engine output of the new Zaxis-7 machines contributes to a higher workload.
The fuel efficiency of Zaxis-7 large excavators can also be controlled by using the new ECO gauge, clearly visible on the cab’s multifunctional eight-inch monitor. Besides reducing costs, better fuel economy has a positive impact on environmental performance. The new machines are Stage V-compliant thanks to the combination of the SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system, DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst) and CSF (catalysed soot filter).
The state-of-the-art, ultra-spacious cab is the perfect working environment. It is said to offer operators ultimate comfort and quality, with reduced noise and vibration levels in the cab, both vital in the quarrying and mining industries.
New features include the synchronised motion of the seat and console – to reduce operator fatigue – and the adjustable console height with three positions to choose from. Easy operation comes from the ergonomic design of the console and switches, and the hi-res anti-glare screen is also easier to view.
Job-site safety is said by Hitachi to be enhanced by the exceptional view from the Zaxis-7 large excavators. Operators can control their own safety, as well as that of those around them, thanks to the Aerial Angle camera system. It provides a 270° bird’s-eye view, and users can choose from six image options to see the machine’s immediate environment. When working in challenging conditions, new LED work lights and a windscreen wiper with an increased sweeping area further improve visibility.
Tested rigorously at dedicated facilities in Japan, Hitachi Zaxis-7 large machines have been built to last and maximise uptime. New engine parts enhance reliability, oil leakages are less likely, and the durability of the track frame has been improved.
In addition, the undercarriage of the ZX490LCH-7 has robust new components that prevent potential damage. Hitachi says the ZX530LCH-7 has 30% greater traction force than the ZX490LCH-7 and increased steering force – particularly advantageous for manoeuvrability on sites with inclines, such as quarries.
The ZX690LCR-7 and ZX890LCR-7 models are built with reinforced parts that are ideal for the digging and loading of heavy materials. Strengthened to cope with the rigours of mining and quarrying, they provide lower costs over the machine lifetime.
Easy maintenance and cleaning features on all Zaxis-7 large excavators save operators and owners both time and money. The fuel filter is now integrated with the water separator, and the larger radiator improves heat dissipation and is easier to clean.
To enable owners to feel in total control of their fleet and workload, Hitachi’s remote-monitoring systems, Owner’s Site and ConSite, give them access to vital data and tools. Both systems send operational data via GPRS or satellite from the excavator to Global e-Service on a daily basis. ConSite summarises the information in a monthly email, while the ConSite Pocket app shows real-time alerts for any potential issues.
The quality of the engine and hydraulic oil is monitored continuously by a Hitachi innovation. Two sensors detect if the oil quality has deteriorated and data is transmitted to Global e-Service. This novel feature provides customers with peace of mind on the condition of their excavators and reduces maintenance and unscheduled downtime.
“We’re proud to present the latest range of Hitachi large excavators to our European customers,” says Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV president Makoto Yamazawa.
“Hitachi has continuously improved on previous generation machines to enhance the operator’s experience in the cab, to meet the needs of owners, and to provide support over the life cycle of our machines. By working in partnership with customers, we can help them to create their vision.”
Doosan has launched the new DX800LC-7 Stage V-compliant 80-tonne crawler excavator, the largest excavator model ever manufactured by the company. Coinciding with the launch, Doosan has announced the sale of the first DX800LC-7 in Europe to a customer in Finland.
Driven by the most powerful engine in the 80-tonne class, the DX800LC-7 also has the highest hydraulic flow for this size of machine, providing best-in-class performance, with higher productivity, lower fuel consumption and smoother controls.
Like all Doosan excavators, much attention has been given to operator comfort and safety. The DX800LC-7 has a new, very spacious operator cab, equipped with ergonomic controls and instrumentation. Special care has been taken to ensure noise is kept to a minimum through enhanced sealing of the engine compartment and extensive use of sound-dampening materials.
All components and assemblies are designed, built and tested to ensure durability. Multi-stage filters and features such as track guards and cylinder guards for the boom and arm, the auto grease system and greased and sealed track links are designed to provide superior reliability and long service life. The DX800LC-7 is easy to maintain, further reducing downtime to a minimum.
The DX800LC-7 excavator is powered by the new stage V version of the well-proven Perkins 2506J diesel engine, providing a high power output of 403 kW (548 HP), more than any other machine in this class. The engine meets Stage V emission regulations by utilising exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalyst reduction, diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter (DPF) after-treatment technologies.
The DPF automatically regenerates every 25 hours, and the excavator continues to work unaffected during this regeneration phase. The operator can check the status of the DPF via the display on the gauge panel in the cab.
The high output of the engine is combined with a Virtual Bleed Off (VBO) hydraulic system (D-ECOPOWER+), providing a best-in-class hydraulic flow of 1008 l/min and a high system pressure of 343 bar, together contributing to the best performance in the 80-tonne market.
Doosan’s D-ECOPOWER+ technology utilises an electronic pressure-controlled pump within a closed-centre hydraulic system to optimise productivity and fuel consumption, depending on the mode selected. A closed-centre main control valve minimises pressure loss, while the electric pressure-controlled pump manages and optimises engine power more effectively.
Software is utilised to electronically reproduce the full benefits of an open-centre hydraulic system with very little energy loss. The hydraulic system and engine output are fully optimised and synchronised, further reducing losses within the system.
Improved feedback to the operator through the joystick results in improved machine control and less operator fatigue. The acceleration and deceleration of the excavator workgroup functions are smoother, allowing operators to perform repetitive swinging and digging motions with less jerking movements.
The DX800LC-7 is primarily intended to serve customers in mining and quarrying applications, removing overburden and loading large amounts of material into articulated dump trucks or rigid frame trucks. The DX800LC-7 may also be operated on large construction and infrastructure projects, particularly where considerable amounts of material need to be excavated and stockpiled or loaded into trucks to be moved.
Cements and Materials of Mali (CMM), a subsidiary of the Vicat Group, is a specialist in the production and distribution of cement in Mali. To ensure the operation of its up to 800,000 tonnes per year cement plant, the company has substantial human resources, and two Volvo L120Gz wheeled loaders.
Established in 2004 in Bamako, CMM produces high-quality cement at its grinding site in Diago, 35km from Bamako. Today more than 150 people work on site. To ensure the productivity of its activities, the company recently invested in its two Volvo L120Gz wheeled loaders by signing a maintenance contract with the local Volvo dealer, the company SMT.
This acquisition is part of a larger investment project. The purchase of a new crusher in September 2019 required the acquisition of machines responsible for stacking aggregates. Indeed, the loader in place during the construction of the plant was too large and was not as handy as desired. The two Volvo L120Gz wheeled loaders are more versatile and allow faster and easier filling of the crusher. So, these loaders take turns feeding the crusher practically 24 hours a day for better productivity.
One of the decisive points in the purchase by CMM was said to be the speed and efficiency of onsite loader maintenance. Indeed, the role of the loaders is essential to the supply of raw material to the crusher and the continuity of cement production in the factory. Therefore, these cannot be unavailable for too long to carry out routine maintenance.
Didier Kabore, purchasing manager at CMM, said: “The most important point for us was the relationship with the brand, the availability and the speed of maintenance of our machines. SMT was able to meet and exceed our expectations. We now have a technician dedicated to our two Volvo wheeled loaders on our site thanks to our maintenance contract.”
With hot and dry local working conditions, it was crucial to have a loader offering good value for money. Above all, it was necessary to have an after-sales service corresponding to the expectations of the CMM company.
Elhadji Mamadou, director general at SECK, said: “We needed a loader that suited our needs and was of good quality. Several operators take turns in the cabin to supply the crusher. So, we had to invest in a reliable brand with a good offer of maintenance and monitoring.”
After several months of running the two Volvo L120Gz wheeled loaders on the cement plant site, the CMM company is satisfied with its investment, both in the relationship it maintains with SMT and in the after-sales service and the quality of its new loaders.
Turkish construction and quarrying machine manufacturer Hidromek exhibited a wide range of its innovative models at the NordBau 2020 Fair in Neumunster, Germany.
Staged 9-12 September 2020, NordBau Fair is one of Europe’s leading construction and quarrying equipment exhibitions. This year, it opened its doors for the 65th time. Last year, 836 exhibitors from 13 countries participated in the fair, which welcomed 62,600 visitors.
Attending NordBau Fair for the third time, Hidromek displayed some of its new H4 Series hydraulic excavators - including the quarrying-suited HMK 310 LC. Other on-show models will include the HMK 640 WL wheeled loader.
Offering high performance, Hidromek’s new H4 Series excavators stand out with their operating speed. By changing the diameter of hydraulic cylinders, tubes and bars, H4 series units have a higher working speed. Hidromek says the model range’s power boost and their maximum hydraulic system pressure are improved. These improvements are said to have led to produce faster, more productive and more efficient machines. Customer-earning potential is more now than ever with H4 Series, says Hidromek, as the units process more material with less fuel.
H4 Series excavators have an electronic system that can ascertain the condition of the machine and co-ordinate its integration with other equipment. H4 model cabins are designed and built to offer maximum safety and durability under ROPS & FOPS standards. The red handles and warning labels on the new series excavators are said to be made to increase the operator’s safety.
A popular machine in quarry and mining operations, concrete plants and industrial applications, Hidromek’s HMK 640 WL heavy-duty wheeled loader has a 26.3-tonne operating weight and a 4.2m³ bucket capacity. It also features a 239kW Mercedes engine which, along with 1600Nm of torque, offers users high loading capacity at low fuel consumption, as well as short cycle time.
The HMK 640 WL is said to supply high breakout force and excellent control capability. The machine also offers durability and efficiency for many years with its axles and components used explicitly for high-demanding working conditions. With its ergonomic operator cabin with ROPS / FOPS certificates, comfort and increased security are priorities. The HMK 640 WL is also said to offer easy serviceability with its 35° tilting cabin feature. The model has won international design awards such as the Red Dot Best of the Best Award.
Hidromek aims to strengthen its place in the global industry by expanding its dealer network and product range while also increasing production. Combining its 42 years of production experience in the sector with its design and R&D power, Hidromek has more than 45,000 machines operating in more than 100 countries on six continents.
Hidromek has nine dealers in Germany. Through Hidromek West in Spain, Hidromek manages its dealers and sales and after-sales in Europe. Hidromek also performs these activities with Hidromek Rus in Russia, Hidromek Construction Equipment Thailand (HCE) in Thailand and Hidromek Japan in Japan. Hidromek says it attaches great importance to after-sales services; in this sense, it offers spare parts and service to its customers with its authorised dealers in more than 80 countries and more than 100 overseas service points.
