February 2011, Vol. 66 No. 2
Equipment Spotlight
Equipment Spotlight: Mini Excavators
Mini excavators from Volvo, John Deere, Bobcat Company, Case, Hitachi, Ditch Witch, Kubota Tractor, Doosan Infracore, Caterpillar, New Holland Construction, Kobelco Construction Machinery and Komatsu.
Volvo
The new EC20C compact excavator sets new standards in the 2-ton class and joins the compact excavator team as the smallest model in the Volvo Construction Equipment line. The EC20C is powered by a Tier 4 compliant 16.2-hp diesel engine and sports a new cab and digging equipment design. The operator can now use an electro-proportional fingertip control on the joystick for swing and offset movement at the same time. The attachment circuit and offset function foot controls have been replaced by the joystick button, providing operators with more leg and foot room. Maximum hydraulic oil flow for the first auxiliary circuit can be set to adjust the maximum speed of a tilting ditching bucket. The adjustment is easily made from the right-hand joystick using the proportional roller and maximum flow switch. Productivity is enhanced and fuel consumption lowered during traveling movements since travel speed automatically shifts from high to low according to the working load. 828.650.2000, www.volvo.com
John Deere
The 60D compact excavator excels in close quarters and is easy to trailer. With its powerful dig forces, impressive digging depth, and spacious comfortable cab, this highly capable compact produces and feels more like a small mid-size excavator. And with a rugged interim Tier 4 engine and excellent serviceability, operators get more done with low downtime and operating cost. Zero tail swing, independent-swing boom, 360-degree rotation allow maximum flexibility and exceptional maneuverability for work in tight spaces. Standard quick coupler and boom mounted auxiliary hydraulics accommodate a wide variety of buckets and Worksite PRO attachments such as breakers and augers. 800.503.3373, www.deere.com
Bobcat Company
The re-engineered design of Bobcat’s M-Series excavators reduces the weight to create a lighter machine. A new load-sensing piston pump and closed center-valve system deliver exceptional metering for smooth control of machine functions. With the new advanced hydraulic system, arm breakout force increases by 20 percent over previous models. The E35 is a Zero Tail Swing excavator that excels at working on space-constrained jobsites, such as next to buildings or other obstacles. The Auto-Shift travel feature automatically shifts to high-range for easier transport and turning of the excavator and an Auto-Idle feature decreases fuel consumption and overall jobsite sound levels. Fingertip boom swing control is easier to operate and opens up space on the floor for the operator’s feet. Integrated slew brake offers infinite braking positions. Overall sound levels have been reduced by more than 50 percent for quieter operation. Twenty percent greater arm breakout force. 866.823.7898, www.bobcat.com
Case
The CX31B compact excavator has a net engine power of 28.4 hp and an operating weight of 6,679 pounds. Zero tail swing allows unobstructed operation in tight spaces. A foot pedal swing-boom control allows for simultaneous moves of swing boom and house for rapid machine positioning. A swing-boom control button allows for easy operation and flexibility to tackle any restricted job site. Standard, durable rubber tracks provide low ground pressure reducing job site surface damage. Optional steel tracks provide protection in adverse ground conditions. The hydraulically controlled backfill blade provides added machine stability and is ideal for backfilling. An optional angled blade enhances back filling of trenches. Pilot controls and proportional flow hydraulics are smooth and intuitive for responsive performance, low fatigue and precise attachment control. A one-piece, swing-out, side access panel gives ground line access for easy servicing and maintenance increasing uptime while lowering operating costs. 262.636.6011, www.casece.com
Hitachi
The Zaxis 85USB-3 excavator is a swing-boom ultra short enables parallel digging to walls, guard rails and foundations. Choose steel shoes, rubber pads or rubber crawler belts. The shape of the backfill blade is easier to see by the operator while providing better crowding performance and additional machine stability. The cab features a deluxe suspension cloth seat, advanced multilingual LCD monitor, slide-open front glass, generous legroom, short-throw/low-effort controls, and a tinted transparent roof window. www.hitachiconstruction.com
Ditch Witch
The XT1600 excavator-tool carrier is designed to perform the work of three machines: a backhoe loader, mini excavator, and compact track loader. Equipped with a 59-hp diesel engine, the versatile XT1600 is a ride-on unit that features a 260-degree excavator sweep that enables the operator to dig in multiple positions in tight jobsites confined spaces, including offset digging along walls, fences, and buildings. And with 30 net hp to the attachment, the XT1600 can perform a range of general construction, utility installation, road work, materials handling, demolition tasks and landscaping. 800.654.6481, www.ditchwitch.com
Kubota Tractor
The new Kubota U55 five-ton tight tail swing compact excavator is designed to provide outstanding power in confined areas. The U55 is equipped with a medium-length arm and enhanced arm crowd force, a wide doorway and plenty of operator space. Built with a 47.6 gross hp direct-injection Kubota diesel engine, the U55 provides plenty of power for any compact excavator job. The U55 has a tail swing overhang of only 2.5 inches and is powerful, yet compact enough to operate efficiently and carefully in narrow workspaces. www.kubota.com
Doosan Infracore
Doosan DX80R 8.3-metric-ton compact excavator offers powerful, reliable performance along with economical operation and operator comfort. The DX80R is powered by a 54.6 hp, Tier 4 compliant diesel engine. It has an operating weight of 18,364 pounds with standard boom, arm and 0.366 cubic yard bucket. Bucket breakout force is 12,274 pounds with the standard 5-foot, 7-inch arm. Arm breakout force is 9,194 pounds. The DX80R features a maximum digging depth of 13 feet 9 inches. Maximum digging reach at ground level is 22 feet 8 inches and dump height is 15 feet 3 inches. Maximum travel speed is 2.8 mph in high range while swing speed is 9.6 rpm. Tail swing over the side on the DX80R is just 11 inches, which minimizes the potential for damage when working close to buildings or walls. Boom swing of 70 degrees to the left and 55 degrees allows digging parallel to obstructions. At the same time, the 7-foot-3-inch track length on the DX80R provides exceptional stability for digging and lifting operations. A standard dozer blade facilitates leveling and backfilling operations. www.doosanequipment.com
Caterpillar
The new Cat D Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators—models 303.5D CR, 304D CR, 305D CR and 305.5D CR—are powerful, versatile, compact-radius machines that work comfortably in confined spaces and build on the quality design and reliability of their C Series predecessors. With model designations that closely reflect their operating weights (3.5 to 5.5 metric tons), the new machines feature enhanced stability for greater productivity, a redesigned work-tool coupler, load-sensing hydraulics, and engines that meet U.S. EPA Tier-4 Interim and E.U. Stage-3A emissions regulations. Models 303.5D CR and 304D CR are zero-tail-swing machines that keep the radius of the upper body within the width of the tracks; models 305D CR and 305.5D CR are compact-radius machines that limit upper-body tail swing over the tracks to 5.5 inches or less. Both designs reduce the machine’s operating footprint and simplify the operator’s job. A new pin-grabber-type coupler (with the new optional hydraulic operation) combines positive work-tool retention with a design that maintains tight tolerances between coupler and tool, significantly reducing wear. Similar to large excavators, D Series booms feature a curved design for digging flexibility and fabricated-box construction for strength and durability. The independent-swing boom allows digging next to walls and obstructions, and an optional long digging arm for each model increases digging depth and lift height. catrequests@cat.com
New Holland Construction
The New Holland E50B compact excavator with zero tail swing offers maximum versatility for excavating and grading. Reliable, fine-tuned engine and hydraulic performance results in exceptional power and up to a 10-percent increase in fuel economy. A hydraulically controlled dozer blade adds extra versatility for site-prep, back-filling and general grading. The blade is designed to match the width of the tracks for excellent coverage. An optional 4-way angle blade is available. A fully enclosed cab system with heater also is available — air conditioning is standard. Featuring an operating weight of 10,274 pounds, a maximum dig depth of 11 feet, 9 inches and a bucket breakout force of 11,128 foot/pounds, this machine meets Tier 4 emissions standards. The machine includes auxiliary hydraulics as standard equipment, making it factory-ready for grapples, breakers and other attachments. www.newholland.com
Kobelco Construction Machinery
The 27SR ACERA zero tail swing compact excavator delivers easy maneuverability in tight spaces without sacrificing stability when working. The 27SR model is available with either a 3-post canopy or fully enclosed cab system. The 3-post ROPS/FOPS with canopy provides extra-wide entry and exit to the operator’s station. The machine features a 21.6-hp, three-cylinder, Tier 4-certified diesel engine. The 27SR compact excavator has a bucket breakout force of 6,351 pounds, a maximum operating weight of 5,555 pounds, a maximum digging depth of 8 feet, 4 inches, and a bucket capacity of 2.80 cubic feet. The 27SR features easy access to the engine compartment, hydraulics and all routine maintenance checks from the ground. 866.726.3396, www.kobelcoamerica.com
Komatsu
The eight-ton class PC88MR-8 hydraulic zero-swing excavator bridges the gap between compact- and construction-sized units. The unit is equipped with the latest KOMTRAX technology, which sends machine operating information to a secure website utilizing wireless technology. Real-time data including machine-operating hours, machine location and fuel levels are relayed to the web application for customer viewing and analysis. The cab is the same used on a larger unit and features a standard automatic climate control system, pilot-proportional joystick controls with auxiliary hydraulics control on the right joystick and a seven-inch color monitor for easy viewing of machine functions and monitoring systems. Every unit is also equipped with a control pattern change valve so the operator can choose from either backhoe or excavator style controls. The PC88MR-8 gets it power from a Komatsu Interim Tier 4, 65-hp diesel engine, which has an increase of 17 percent more power than the prior model PC78MR-6. It also features increased drawbar pull, faster travel speed, 10 percent more arm digging force and a significant improvement in dozer blade travel to enhance grading and backfill operations. www.komatsuamerica.com
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