Kobelco SK135SR-7 brings comfort and productivity to mid-sized weight class

Kobelco’s SK135SR-7 was released in Australia just over three years ago and according to Brisbane-based dealership, Brisvegas Machinery, it has become the best-selling 14-tonne excavator in the country.

The model, alongside a range of Kobelco excavators ranging in size from compact to standard, were on display at the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show in Brisbane in May this year.

Comfort, ease of maintenance and heavy-duty standard inclusions were the main reasons for its popularity, said Brisvegas Machinery’s Marco Marabini.

“Most people that have sat in a Kobelco will always comment on how big the cab is and how comfortable it is,” he said.

“A happy operator is a productive operator, so we’ve got an air suspended Grammer seat in this machine, coupled with a 10-inch screen with an eagle eye camera.

“It’s got proportional thumb rolls on the joysticks for both tilt and auxiliary and are still pilot hydraulic as well.

“There are multiple aircon vents throughout the cab, making it a very comfortable cab to sit in. It is also a pressurised cab and is climate controlled as well.”

Kobelco has made the SK135SR-7 available with a Tier-3 compliant Isuzu diesel engine.

“So there’s no requirement for AdBlue or a DPF in this model. It’s a big thing with operators as there is less downtime not having to worry about AdBlue sensors and the likes,” Marabini said.

“Kobelco spec the machines very highly from factory, so there’s no heavy-duty option or specced-up option. The option you get from us is the heavy-duty version.”

Some standard features on the machine include a heavy-duty boom, a dozer blade and track guides.

“If you talk to someone who drives a Kobelco, they’ll always mention how smooth it is and how fuel efficient it is. We’re not sacrificing on power or productivity or speed either, so it’s an all-round package.”