Hitachi has unveiled its new ultra-large hydraulic excavator, set for an official launch in October this year.
It won’t be available until October, but Hitachi says its new EX 2000-7 ultra large hydraulic excavator will be stronger and more fuel efficient than its immediate predecessor.
Hitachi says it expects high demand for the new model from small-to medium-sized mining and quarrying operations, to whom fuel efficiency is critically important.
The excavator is remodelled from the EX1900-6, keeping the durable structural parts common across Hitachi’s EX series, but will consume up to 19 per cent less fuel than its predecessor thanks in part to a redesigned hydraulic circuit, the company says.
The redesigned circuit allows for more precise management of the hydraulic oil flow in each control valve throughout the digging and loading cycle.
The oil flow rate to each cylinder, boom, arm or bucket, as well as the swing motor, is independently controlled by an electronic regulator for each operation – such as excavation, swinging or dumping.
This allows for unused oil to be used more efficiently, rather than being circulated throughout a cycle from the oil pumps and back into the oil tank. Hitachi says this helps keep fuel consumption as low as possible.
The oil cooler and radiator have also been upgraded in a similar way, with the speed of the radiator fan constantly adjusting in relation to the ambient temperature and that of the engine coolant.
This helps reduce the thermal degradation of hydraulic component seals and makes hydraulic pumps, cylinders and motors more efficient, also helping to reduce fuel consumption.
Hitachi adds that its new work mode selection feature also helps to economise on fuel – with High Power (HP) Mode, Power (PWR) Mode or Economy (ECO) Mode settings for different types of operation.
The HP mode suits activities such as bedrock excavation, the PWR mode suits most general operations and the ECO mode suits light operations – with each reducing fuel costs by between 19 and 40 per cent compared to the EX1900-6.
At an operating weight of 193 tonnes, the EX2000-7 is one of the smaller Hitachi EX-7 ultra-large excavators on offer, but the company says a redesign of the main frames and the boom-arm joint area were now in line with models of 250 tonnes and heavier.
The company analysed stress conditions on the main frame in order to better disperse stress across the machine, and changed the pin connection between the boom and arm to a double pin, rather than a single.
Hitachi says the new excavator will arrive complete with a new artificial intelligence and internet of things technology called ConSite Mine – scheduled for release in 2021 across the EX-7 series.
Designed to help minimise machine downtime, ConSite Mine will complement the EX 2000-7’s Remote Operation System, Operation Support System and Autonomous Operation function.
“The EX2000-7’s impressive 19 per cent fuel saving has been achieved through a range of new designed, energy-efficient features that have made the engine more compact while retaining outstanding productivity,” Hitachi says.
“When compared with its predecessor, the EX1900-6, the EX2000-7 can save as much as 460 tons of CO2 emissions per year per machine.”