Komatsu To Begin Sales of Diesel-Electric Hybrid Excavator

13 May 2008

Komatsu will begin sales of the PC200-8 diesel electric hybrid excavator in June. (Earlier post.) Compared with the standard PC200-8 hydraulic excavator, the hybrid model reduces fuel consumption by about 25%, depending upon the nature of the work.

The Komatsu hybrid system. Click to enlarge.

In field testing by customers, Komatsu confirmed a 41% reduction in fuel consumption at a jobsite where the machine’s upper structure turns more frequently.

The Komatsu Hybrid System consists of a newly developed electric motor which turns the upper structure; power generation motor; capacitor; and diesel engine.

The hybrid system converts energy generated when the upper structure reduces its speed while turning; stores the energy in a capacitor; and then uses the stored energy to assist the power of the engine via the power generation motor when the engine accelerates.

By contrast, standard equipment normally uses a hydraulic motor to turn the upper structure. The new Komatsu hybrid excavator utilizes the regenerated energy to assist the diesel engine when it is accelerating, enabling the use of the engine in a low revolution zone with high-efficiency combustion.

In addition, the hybrid excavator helps keeps the engine speed at a very low level during idle for further reductions in fuel consumption.