The Generation 10 from Kobelco sets new benchmarks in fuel efficiency, machine productivity and reliability giving the best-in-class, value-for-money performance.

Santosh Kr. Jaruhar,Advisor – Support Services, Kobelco Construction Equipment (India) Pvt Ltd

Kobelco is one of the leading global manufacturers of Hydraulic Excavators offering the latest technological features aimed at delivering maximum value to the user. Kobelco has developed a process of ‘listening’ to the customers and this allows them to focus on using technology to meet their growing expectations. “The current generation 10 from Kobelco sets new benchmarks in fuel efficiency, machine productivity and reliability giving the best-in-class, value-for-money performance,” informs, Santosh Kr. Jaruhar, Advisor – Support Services, Kobelco Construction Equipment (India) Pvt Ltd.

He adds, “This generation 10 carries the tag ‘Power Meets Efficiency’. Generation 10 has taken fuel efficiency to the next level with substantial savings over the previous models, which were already industry leaders in fuel economy.“

Innovative use of attachment weight to reduce fuel consumption

• The weight of the boom contracts the boom cylinder.
• The discharged hydraulic oil flows into the arm cylinder.
• The arm cylinder retracts.
• The arm opens.

Auto-Idle-Stop (AIS)

A unique feature which minimises fuel wastage when the machine is idling or not in use. Unlike other machines which go into an Auto-Idle mode if the control levers are not used for 5 seconds and remain in that state till the levers are again used or the engine is switched off by the operator, Kobelco excavators will automatically shut off the engine if the machine is idle for a total of 60 seconds after sounding a beep at 55 seconds of idling.

Issues in special environments

Operations such as breaking on dusty sites cause the hydraulic oil to get dirty.

If hydraulic filters are not maintained properly and get clogged, this results in the hydraulic oil bypassing the filters in order to prevent the tank from breaking.

If the hydraulic filters are bypassed, the dirty, contaminated hydraulic oil causes the control valve and pump to wear when flowing through the hydraulic devices.

Clogged hydraulic oil filters also cause the hydraulic oil temperature to rise.

Excessively heated hydraulic oil makes the oil seals in the actuators such as hydraulic rams deteriorate, resulting in a hydraulic oil leak. Preventing the hydraulic oil filters from getting clogged is essential for hydraulic excavators to operate normally.

• A sensor has been added to detect when the hydraulic oil filter is clogged.
• The form of the hydraulic oil filter has been changed. The new design prevents dirt from falling into the hydraulic oil when the filter is being replaced.

Increased cab air tightness

Improved cab internal pressure from 27 Pa to 97 Pa compared with the SK-8 cab to prevent dust entry. This ensure a healthy working environment for the operation besides extending the service life of cabin components.

Vibration and noise

Vibration and noise are much reduced because the stroke of cab mount is approximately twice longer than SK-8. Kobelco machines comply with various international standards on Sound levels though in India there is very little awareness about this aspect of pollution.