KOBELCO Construction Machinery USA’s Silver Lot Booth 4408 included an expansive display of the company’s line of World Class crawler excavator models in the 3,000 to 184,000 lb. classes at ConExpo/ConAgg 2014, including the company’s all new SK55 launched at the show. Long known for its excavator technology, KOBELCO showcased three categories of machines.
Mini-Excavators
The KOBELCO mini-excavator line is comprised of four models with operating weights between 3,670 and 11,050 lbs. These compact units include the KOBELCO SK17SR, SK27SR, SK35SR and SK55SRX, all of which were on display at the show.
KOBELCO minis can be loaded onto a dump truck for fast and easy transport without disassembly. Once on the jobsite, they provide full size performance with wide swing angles despite their compact size. Each model comes with a blade as standard equipment for backfilling and dozing work. Minimal rear swing radius and zero tail overhang makes for safe and easy operation in confined spaces with excellent side-ditch digging performance, allowing the operator to concentrate on the work in front of him/her for greater efficiency. This size/class machine is ideal for small landscape and construction jobs, as well as utility work. Additional counterweights are available for those demanding jobs that require options like thumbs and or couplers.
The new SK55SRX model is the first mini being offered with KOBELCO’s patented iNDr noise reduction system, a huge value for a machine in this size class. iNDr provides noise reduction and minimizes exhaust temperatures for increased operator comfort and safety for the surrounding environment.
Short Rear Swing Excavators
KOBELCO innovation is seen in their Short Rear Swing excavators. The company was the first to understand the need of providing outstanding performance in tight spaces. In response came the development of its popular series of SR machines. Today, six models round out KOBELCO’s line of short rear swing excavators including their SK75SR, SK85CS, SK140SRLC, ED160 Blade Runner, SK230SRLC and SK260SRLC models.
Ranging from 17,100 – 59,300 lbs. of operating weight, these SR excavator models are packed with value and innovation. KOBELCO’s exclusive iNDr Cooling System is found in all models in this series. This signature KOBELCO technology reduces dust and cuts noise to extremely low levels.
Next -3E (enhancement, economy and environment) comprises the company’s industry leading approach to lower fuel consumption, maximizing work volume onsite, while making every gallon go further. And the new ECO-mode in select models creates even greater fuel savings while optimizing job fuel to production efficiencies. Large capacity fuel tanks combined with enhanced fuel efficiency and an automatic acceleration/deceleration function which reduces engine speed when placed in neutral, allows for longer hours of continuous operation and greater productivity on the job. The exclusive proportional acceleration brings the engine RPM back up in direct proportion to operator demand and is controlled by the operator’s joystick movement.
SR models are popular in applications where working ranges are limited such as in cities where traffic needs to continue to flow or in residential or commercial applications where noise may become an issue.
Conventional Excavators
KOBELCO’s conventional excavators are anything but conventional. All 5 models in this 48,500 – 184,000 lb. operating weight range are engineered for maximum performance capacity, improved cost efficiency and with features that go easy on the earth, delivering dependable power, wide-range digging strength and reduced fuel consumption. Operators are welcomed into big cab visibility and comfort, while owners welcome high quality construction and low cost maintenance.
KOBELCO’s pioneering spirit is best seen in this class of excavators. They were the first and are one of very few manufacturers today to offer straight travel, which allows the excavator to lift the rated lift chart while walking. Independent travel is a KOBELCO exclusive. This feature enhances both productivity and safety by allowing the machine to smoothly walk and lift with no travel speed change. The company was also the first to introduce automatic swing priority, where one pump automatically assists the arm and one the swing during combined side wall trenching.
Three operating modes that allow the operator to custom set the machine for maximum fuel economy and job efficiency to max production, industry leading swing torque, engine power and breakout forces, standard rear counterweight swing flashers and a heavy-duty cooling system, no time limit, operator controlled power boost for heavy-duty digging conditions and the ability to set both flow and pressure for up to 18 different attachments right from the operator’s seat, ensure these conventional excavators provide substantial overall value.
This class of excavator is oftentimes found on jobsites ranging from general earthmoving applications through specialty work requiring full sized, powerful equipment with quick cycle times.
Signature KOBELCO Design
All KOBELCO excavators have been designed with a focus on operator comfort. A wide entry, spacious cab with excellent visibility, rear view camera, swing flashers and rear working lights are standard on most models. Combined with a powerful automatic air conditioner, standard tropical cooling system, double slide, reclining suspension seat, adjustable arm rest, two-speaker FM/AM radio, spacious luggage tray and large cup holder, these feature assure an ideal operating environment.
Safety, as always, continues to be a high design priority for KOBELCO. Daily maintenance points are easily accessible, with most models offering them at ground level. A rearview camera, low rear hood design for enhanced visibility, travel alarm, swing flashers, retractable seatbelt and ROPS cabs all combine to reduce the potential of jobsite accidents.
KOBELCO’s heavy-duty construction gives the company the confidence in every product manufactured to offer a factory direct 3-year warranty. KOBELCO knows their products and understands that in the event of a maintenance issue, the primary concern is to get the machine back up and running as quickly as possible. Customers will work directly with KOBELCO personnel and their authorized KOBELCO dealer to resolve the situation, not a third party vendor. KOBELCO’s confidence in its product line gives them the ability to offer a KOBELCO Premium Protection Plan warranty (KPPP), an extended warranty option that covers their equipment just as if it were new, for up to 84 months.
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