Komatsu hybrid excavator’s UK debut

RSSThe first UK sale of the 436 Komatsu HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator has been completed, with the machine’s first deployment being the prestigious Crossrail transport project in central London.

6579 Marubeni-Komatsu, the sole UK distributor of Komatsu heavy machinery, supplied five HB215LC-1machines to Ridgway Rentals, a company based in County Shropshire in the West Midlands region of England.

Over 1,700 Komatsu hybrid excavators are in action worldwide, and these are the first to be sold in the UK.

Edward Prosser, marketing manager at Marubeni-Komatsu said: “We are delighted to have completed the first ever UK sale of this distinct piece of equipment, and are really excited that it’s already being used on such an iconic project as the London Crossrail.” The Komatsu HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator is said to boast an average of 25% less fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than a traditional excavator. In place of the usual hydraulic swing motor, its design uses an electric swing motor which captures energy from swing brake operations, converting it into electric energy that is then stored for use when the motor needs to accelerate, thus significantly reducing fuel consumption.

Stuart Jones, director at 6580 Ridgway Rentals, said: “With the government pledging to embrace new technologies in a bid to make London significantly ‘greener’ and to reduce the city’s CO2 emissions by 60% over the next ten years, it seems apt that this particular piece of equipment was selected for one of its largest scale projects. Feedback from our client at the London Crossrail project is that it performs well and uses a lot less fuel.”