PRODUCT FOCUS
CASE Construction Equipment offers a 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D version of its
iCon Excavating System (iXES) for excavators.
an electric motor to collect the energy
generated when the upper structure slows
down while turning. This allowed the
excavator to use regenerated energy to assist
the engine when it accelerates, enabling
the use of the engine in a low revolution
zone with high-efficiency combustion. The
excavator also maintained an extremely low
revolution rate when the engine was idling,
further reducing fuel consumption.
In December 2012, Caterpillar unveiled
its 336E hybrid excavator, using a hydraulic
hybrid technology developed by Caterpillar.
The company defines a hybrid machine
as one that is equipped with devices to
collect, store, and release energy to perform
(Volvo CE), to name but a few. While there are
different approaches to hybrid machines, the
overall goal is the same: to reduce operating
costs by minimising use of fuel.
Komatsu launched sales of its PC200-8
Hybrid, the world's first hybrid excavator, to
the Japanese market in 2008. Powered by
the Komatsu Hybrid System using an electric
motor to turn the upper structure, a power
generation motor, a capacitor, and a diesel
engine, the PC200-8 Hybrid used about 25%
less fuel than a standard PC200-8 hydraulic
excavator.
Rather than using the hydraulic motor
to turn the upper structure in standard
equipment at the time, Komatsu developed
The iXE3 3-D system from Leica Geosystems works with high-precision GPS and can monitor the
excavation position by means of a digital model, improving efficiency rates by up to 30%.
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work during machine operation, and is not
dependent on any particular technology.
“A hybrid is independent of any particular
technology — it doesn’t have to be electric,”
explained Ken Gray, global product manager
for large hydraulic excavators for Caterpillar’s
Excavation Division, on the machine’s release.
Unlike electric hybrids, which use an electric
swing motor to convert the machine’s kinetic
swing energy into electrical energy using
an alternator, the 336E hybrid instead uses
a hydraulic swing motor. Compared to the
standard model of the excavator, which has
the engine driving the hydraulic pump, which
then powers machine functions, the hybrid
version of the 336E has a large accumulator