Komatsu Tier-4 zero-swing excavators break cover

Mid-size excavators feature low-emission engines and are ideally suited for urban work

Komatsu has released two new zero-swing excavators - the 7.94 tonne PC78UU-10 and the 8.75 tonne PC88MR-10, which the company claims can help reduce fuel consumption by up to five per cent.

Both machines are powered by Tier 4 Final-compliant Komatsu SAA4D95LE-6 engines, rated at 65hp for both machines, and feature new engine and hydraulic system control technology to reduce fuel consumption and significantly increase worksite efficiency.

According to Komatsu’s National Sales Manager – Utility, Carl Grundy, the two new excavators incorporate significant technology and performance advances over their Dash 8 predecessors.

“These two excavators have been renowned for being incredibly versatile and productive machines, ideally suited for excavation, rock work and services placement in confined urban areas; with these latest improvements, they are even more productive and efficient, while being less expensive to own and operate,” he said.

He added both new units have been designed with tight access in mind. The ‘MR’ in PC88MR-10 stands for ‘minimum radius’ – with its swing boom design offering a tail swing protrusion of just 325mm. On the other hand, the ‘UU’ in PC78UU-10 stands for ‘ultra urban’ – with the model featuring an offset boom design ideal for tight worksites.

“Our environmentally friendly Komatsu SAA4D95LE-6 Tier 4 Final engine drastically reduces emissions compared with the previous machines’ Tier 3 engine, while reducing fuel consumption by up to five per cent," Grundy said.

To achieve these lower emissions and fuel consumption, the engines include newly designed variable flow turbochargers, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, a Komatsu diesel oxidation catalyst, and an advanced engine control system.

“With this engine design, there is no need for DEF (Adblue) or a diesel particulate filter (DPF), further reducing maintenance and running costs of these machines,” Grundy said.

The advanced electronic control system also incorporates enhanced reporting and diagnostic capabilities, with detailed engine condition information displayed via an on-board network to the monitor inside the cab, providing all necessary operating data to the operator.

The data can also be accessed and managed via the KOMTRAX telematics remote monitoring system.

Komatsu said it has increased the PC78UU-10’s engine power by 16 per cent for higher site productivity.

Both machines incorporate new Komatsu technology to enhance the engine and hydraulic pump control.

“Our total control system matches the engine and hydraulics at the most efficient point under any load condition,” Grundy said.

“At the same time, there have been improvements in the main valve and hydraulic circuits to reduce hydraulic loss, resulting in higher efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

“Overall, with these two machines we are seeing up to five per cent lower fuel consumption, combined with up to three per cent higher productivity.”

Both machines offer six working modes: power, economy, lifting, breaker, attachment power and attachment economy mode.

“Each mode is designed to match engine speed, pump flow, and system pressure to the application, so that the most efficient combination of engine and hydraulic power is used,” Grundy explained.

“We’ve also included some operator aids to encourage fuel-efficient operation at all times. These include an ECO gauge to assist in reducing fuel consumption during operation, an idling caution if the engine idles for more than five minutes, and an idle auto stop function that automatically stops the engine if it idles for more than a set period of time.”

Both machines are fitted with integrated ROPS cabs with plenty of room inside as well as wide doorways for easy access. An automatic air conditioning system and colour reversing camera come standard.

For ease of maintenance, all major maintenance points have been placed within reach from ground level.

“Our two new mid-size zero-swing excavators have long set the industry standard in this class of machine; the improvements and advances with these Dash 10 models make them even more productive and efficient, while being significantly cheaper to own and operate,” Grundy said.