Volvo’s delivery of electric powered compact construction machines that feature fast-charge solutions into the Australian market is a game changer – Reid Gibson (Volvo CE Electric and Sustainable Technologies Product Manager)
A recent review of the excavator market revealed that within the next one or two years, manufacturers will be devoted or rather focused on the development of electric powered excavators for their respective global markets.
Among the goals that have been observed among manufacturers is their target to increase efficiency by 350 % by using direct electric slewing drive and the optimization of the excavator’s hydraulic system which will establish electric powered machines as the go to machines for urban construction projects.
According to a well-respected independent construction project manager Daniel Wilson and John Whitman who operates a construction equipment rental company in Melbourne that offer machines such as excavators for hire, it is clear that the direction that the industry is headed towards revolves around the 13.5T and 15T excavators that are rapidly becoming the preferred ‘workhorses’ of the urban and residential construction projects added Wilson.
CASES, Caterpillar, Kubota, Hyundai and Komatsu are among the leading manufacturers that are headed towards this direction (15T compact class excavators due to rising demand from the excavator for hire segment). Recently CASE unveiled their latest CX130D and CX145DSR (short tail swing) that are fitted with Stage 4 compliant Isuzu engines that offer digging depths of more than 5m and dump heights that go above 6m with standard booms and dippers.
The CX145 classed as a 15T (14.6t) is a short tail swing machine that has a unique design that enables the machine to dig and lift without compromising power within confined areas. The current position of the company’s R&D component is to develop electric powered versions of these excellent machines.
Similarly, market leader Caterpillar launched two 13.8-tonne excavators (also classified under the 15T excavator category) targeting the 15 tonne excavator for hire market category. Both the 313 and 313GC model are deemed as the smallest models within the spectrum of Cat’s next gen excavators. These machines boasts a host of characteristics that include among others state of the art filtration fluid management systems and enhanced lubrication mechanisms that are expected to lower maintenance costs significantly.
Despite the small sizes, both machines are capable of digging depths of over 6m and are capable of loading heights of more than 6.4m. As for the 315CG model which is slightly over 15T (15.4t), which has been designated to be electrified in the near future, the machine offers more than just greater loading capacity but also greater digging depth and dump height.
The demand trend is definitely changing towards higher operating weight when it comes to excavators especially from the 12T category to the 15T category with preference towards electric powered machines due to new regulations that revolve around noise and pollution.
Other manufacturers that are also joining the 15T excavator category foray includes Doosan with the DX140-5 that weighs around 14.4 powered by a Perkins 4.5-litre engine and Hitachi the introduction of the ultra-short swing radius ZX135US‑6 model.