Keenly awaited new crawler excavators from two leading global OEMs hit the market in late 2015, with another leading manufacturer promising innovative new crawler tractors at bauma 2016. Guy Woodford reports. New loading models on the market are said to offer the perfect combination of proven reliability, high productivity and low operating costs. With a maximum operating weight of 29.7tonnes and powered by a 178kW Cat C7.1 ACERT EU Stage IV emissions standard engine, the new Caterpillar 330F hydrau
Keenly awaited new crawler excavators from two leading global OEMs hit the market in late 2015, with another leading manufacturer promising innovative new crawler tractors at bauma 2016. Guy Woodford reports.
New loading models on the market are said to offer the perfect combination of proven reliability, high productivity and low operating costs.
With a maximum operating weight of 29.7tonnes and powered by a 178kW Cat C7.1 ACERT EU Stage IV emissions standard engine, the new Caterpillar 330F hydraulic excavator is said to mirror the above ideal.
The 330F’s C7.1 ACERT engine is extremely fuel-efficient by design, and the machine’s automatic engine speed control furthers that efficiency by lowering speed when work does not require full power. The automatic engine idle shutdown system stops the engine after a preset idling interval to save fuel, and two power modes (standard and eco) allow tuning the machine to the application. The net results are reductions in fuel use, exhaust emissions, engine wear, sound levels and maintenance/repair costs.
The model’s upper frame, with special mountings to support the heavy-duty cab, is reinforced in key areas subject to working forces. The undercarriages, long (L) and long/narrow (LN), feature high-tensile strength steel in track shoes, links, rollers, idlers and sprockets to promote long life. Grease-lubricated track chains protect against water, dirt and debris, while extending undercarriage life and reducing travel noise. Optional guides help maintain track alignment.
The 330F’s reach boom and stick, box-section fabrications that use internal baffle plates, are stress-relieved for added durability, and inspected ultrasonically to ensure quality. The 6.15m boom and 3.2m and 2.65m sticks provide all-round versatility for general excavation work, and all front linkage pins have thick chrome plating for wear resistance.
Most routine maintenance points on the 330F, such as fluid taps and grease points, can be reached conveniently from ground level. The wide rear-compartment’s service doors prevent debris entry and latch in place during servicing. Ample clearance between coolers allows easy debris removal, and a fuel tank drain cock allows removal of water and sediment during maintenance. An integrated fuel level indicator reduces the possibility of overfilling the tank.
Cat LINK technologies, such as the Product Link advanced telemetrics system, are deeply integrated into the 330F and provide a constant stream of wireless information, including location, hours, fuel usage, idle time and event codes. Product Link data are accessed via the online VisionLink interface and are vital for providing information needed to make timely, fact-based decisions that improve job site efficiency, increase productivity and lower costs.
At bauma 2016 in Munich, Germany Liebherr will showcase the PR 776 Litronic crawler tractor, which is designed for tough quarry and mining operations. With the PR 776, for the first time Liebherr is launching a crawler tractor in the 70tonne category on the market.
The PR 776 crawler tractor extends the Liebherr range of crawler tractors. From April 2016, Liebherr will have a total of seven models in its portfolio with operating weights from 17 to 70tonnes. Whether for heavy ripping work, moving material transport or fine-grading: Liebherr offers powerful machines for diverse applications.
Some new developments are being introduced with the entry to the new size class. But Liebherr also integrates special features of the Generation 6 crawler tractor programme, which have already been tried and tested in practice. These include, for example, proactive power control, the maintenance concept or the modern driver’s cab.
Like with all Generation 6 crawler tractors, the main components of the new crawler tractor are manufactured in-house. These are adapted optimally to the requirements of the machinery. Here, Liebherr can draw from over 50 years of experience in the development of crawler tractors.
Doosan Construction Equipment has launched its new Stage IV compliant DX235LC-5 crawler excavator, the latest in the company’s new ‘LC-5′ generation of excavators, said to offer enhanced comfort and controllability with new features to boost fuel efficiency, uptime and return on investment.
The DX235LC-5 is a standard 2.99m machine that complements the narrow width DX235NLC-5 and reduced radius DX235LCR-5 models first shown at Intermat 2015 in Paris, France. It meets the needs of customers looking for a machine with higher performance and stability than the existing Doosan DX225LC-3 22.8tonne Stage IIIB model and which also compares favourably with the power and productivity offered by the bigger DX255LC-5 model.
The DX235LC-5 combines a 2.99m width undercarriage, a 900kg increase in weight and a much heavier counterweight (5tonnes vs 4.3tonnes on the DX225LC-3) with strengthening in the arm and boom (including the cylinders). As a result, the DX235LC-5 offers much higher bucket and arm forces. The arm force is on average 7 – 8% higher than that of the DX225LC-3 and the difference between the two machines is even starker where the bucket force is concerned, where it is 15 – 16% higher in the new DX235LC-5 model. The DX235LC-5 also delivers higher lifting forces – +6% more lifting capacity over the front (7.71tonnes) and +8% more lifting capacity over the side (4.92tonnes).
Featuring the distinctive new machine styling scheme common to all new Doosan LC-5 generation excavators, the DX235LC-5 is powered by the well-proven six-cylinder, turbocharged Doosan DL06P water-cooled diesel engine. The DL06P engine offers convenience and lower costs by meeting Stage IV emissions regulations without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF), through the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalyst reduction (SCR) aftertreatment technologies. The DL06P engine provides an output of 124kW (169hp) at 1800rpm.
As well as the DL06P engine, which is one of the most reliable and fuel efficient ever produced by Doosan, new innovative and exclusive features have been introduced providing an overall 9% increase in fuel efficiency. Among these features is the new ‘Trip Meter Setting’ screen which allows operators to check fuel consumption daily (or over a desired period) directly from the control panel and to save even more fuel, there is a special Doosan-developed system, Smart Power Control (SPC), to optimise the balance between the pumps’ output and the diesel engine.
Already excelling in spaciousness and ergonomics, the new cab in the DX235LC-5 is bigger than that in the DX225LC-3 and is said to offer super controllability with a new system that enables attachments to be operated from either the joystick or a two-way pedal.
Özyurt Maden is the first company in Turkey to purchase an SDLG CE-marked wheeled loader since the recent launch of the 16.6tonne LG958L at the KOMATEK trade fair. The Istanbul-based company purchased the machine having been impressed with its performance and efficiency during a trial period.
“Because the brand is new to Turkey and it was the first SDLG machine we’d seen, we were understandably slightly uncertain when we first started using the machine,” says Uğur Özyurt, managing director at Özyurt Maden. “But after operating the LG958L we could see the performance level was good and we were pleased with the fuel efficiency.”
The LG958L was sold by local equipment dealer, Ascendum Makina, which represents SDLG and has 18 branches across Turkey.
“It was important for us during our purchasing decision to work with a trustworthy local dealer,” continued Özyurt. “Especially when working with a new brand for the first time. Ascendum Makina has a proven track record in delivering a high standard of sales and after-sales support. We will definitely consider SDLG products for future machine purchases.”
Özyurt Maden is a leading company in the ready-mixed concrete, quarry, asphalt production and construction industries. It provides high-quality products and services for customers throughout Turkey. The new LG958L will be put straight to work at a concrete plant in Istanbul, handling aggregate materials.
The CE-marked LG958L is fitted with a new engine to meet Stage IIIA requirements for emissions standards in Turkey. The machine is well-liked by customers for its ease of operation, value pricing and fast return on investment. It has already sold into numerous markets across Asia, the Middle East and the U.S.
The LG958L is fitted with a ZF 4WG200 fixed-shaft power shift transmission with twist grip control and kick-down function. Other features include SDLG reinforced axles with full hydraulic caliper disc brake, full powered 3rd function hydraulics, and a general purpose bucket with 3m³ capacity. The model also comes with a 24 month/2,000 working hours warranty.
