Kobelco expands heavy duty excavator range

Following the launch of the SK500XDLC-10 earlier this year —the first in Kobelco’s XD series of extra heavy-duty excavators—Kobelco Construction Machinery Australia (KCMA) is expanding the range with the release of the 37.7-tonne SK380XDLC-10.

Like its larger sibling, the SK380XD is built for extreme durability and has been engineered to operate in the harshest conditions, making it ideally suited for work in quarry and aggregates, subdivision and underground utilities, and heavy infrastructure and road construction.

The SK380XD features a purpose-built, robust machine body and substantial additional reinforcements to all key areas of stress and wear across the boom, arm, underbody and undercarriage.

The purpose-built extreme duty boom and arm set features thicker triple plated reinforcement in all key areas of mechanical stress to ensure durability and longevity. The arm foot boss shape has also been modified and improved to efficiently distribute loading and deliver increased strength for demanding tasks such as rock ripping and quarry mineral extraction.

A specially designed full-length rock guard is installed on the inside of the dipper arm on top of additional steel plating.

A heavy-duty triple track guide frame and reinforced heavy-duty 600mm triple grouser shoes help the SK380XD navigate harsh and rocky underfoot conditions with ease.

Durability of the track links has also been increased, while the idler frame has received substantial double reinforcement plating inside and out, resulting in improved undercarriage reliability while preventing premature wear of this key structure.

A heavy-duty steel bolted underbody guard protects vital machine components and provides additional weight for increased stability.

A 7.68L Hino turbocharged, liquid cooled, diesel engine delivers 209kW of power for the SK380XD. The engine has no DPF and doesn't require AdBlue to run, helping to keep maintenance costs low. A tropical cooling pack helps keep the engine cool and working as it should, which is key in hotter climates present in Australia.

A slew torque of 120kN, bucket breakout force of 244kN and arm tearout force of 180kN ensure fast digging cycle times and greater productivity.

The SK380XD has a tractive force of 331kN that allows the machine to confidently climb steep stockpiles and slopes.

The machine also comes factory equipped with bi-directional primary auxiliary hydraulics, along with a dedicated proportional hand-controlled tilt/rotate circuit and quick hitch piping. An in-cab pressure relief function simplifies tool changes by relieving pressure from the attachment hydraulics.

Kobelco claimed the SK380XD delivers unmatched fuel efficiency by consuming just under 20l/hr in typical Australian heavy digging conditions. Some of the factors contributing to the low fuel consumption rates, according to Kobelco, are an efficient boom to arm hydraulic regeneration system as well as three selectable work modes.

In addition to a heavy and a standard work mode options, an ECO-mode is also available that automatically optimises digging efficiency in less demanding applications, delivering a 24 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, Kobelco said.

With the heavily reinforced standard 6.0m boom and 3.30m arm, the SK380XD has a dig depth of 7.56m and ground level reach of 11.26m.

With its increased operating weight, the SK380XD is very stable and capable of achieving a safe working load of 5020 kg (less coupler weight), Kobelco said.

The cab features climate-control and a lot of space to ensure operator comfort and consequently higher productivity. The expansive front window provides great visibility, while the large cabin’s high level of pressurisation and effective dampening provides a quiet and airtight work environment, free from dust.

A heated and air-cushioned suspension seat further enhances comfort by isolating operator from vibrations and shocks from the machine at work. Pilot hydraulic joysticks are easy to use and delivers precision control, Kobelco added.

Other comfort features include a standard 12V charging receptacle, standard Bluetooth integrated stereo system, a large cupholder and spacious rear storage area.

The colour LCD multi-display screen in the cab shows important information including fuel consumption and maintenance intervals, as well as the standard integrated rear-view camera.

Up to 10 pre-set attachment settings can be selected from the comfort of the cabin, meaning machines can be fitted and ready to work, faster.

Safety is enhanced by the FOPS Level 2 top guard, which is fitted as standard. An optional front operator guard is also available, with a convenient swing-out design allowing access to the front window for cleaning.

Kobelco’s GEOSCAN telematics system also comes standard with the XD range, which allows remote access to a comprehensive set of machine operational and maintenance data from any web enabled device.

The SK380XD also comes standard with Kobelco’s K-Assist remote servicing function, allowing technicians to analyse machine system performance and troubleshoot faults remotely and immediately without having to attend the site in person, hence reducing downtime.

Kobelco’s XD series excavators come with Kobelco’s Extended Major Component Warranty of 4 years/6000 hours.

The Kobelco SK380XDLC is available at dealers around Australia and New Zealand from September 2021. For more information, visit kobelco.com.au