Komatsu PC200-8 Hybrid

The Komatsu PC200-8 Hybrid is a hydraulic excavator manufactured by Komatsu Limited. It is the world's first hybrid (electro-hydraulic) powered construction equipment.[1] At the time of its launch it was found to consume 25% less fuel than comparable non-hybrid excavators and up to 40% less fuel while carrying out certain functions.[2] It was released on 1 June 2008. It has been made available in Japan, China[3] and North America.[4]

Hybrid system

The Komatsu PC200-8 Hybrid uses the Komatsu Hybrid System. The system uses an ultracapacitor bank to store energy generated by the swing movement of the upper structure of the excavator.[5] An electric slewing motor/generator produces electrical power (as a generator) when braking the upper structure, and stores the current in the ultracapacitor bank. The excavator then utilizes electricity discharged from the ultracapacitor bank to power a motor to assist the engine and feed the motor/generator for swing acceleration. At the time of its release, recorded fuel consumption was found to be reduced by as much as 41% when compared to comparable non-hybrid machines.[6] Construction Equipment magazine compared the HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator with a conventional model.[7]

References
  1. Komatsu press release
  2. "Komatsu Australia news article on launch". Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  3. Excerpt from Komatsu's 'Fact Book 2010' report
  4. Komatsu America press release
  5. Construction Equipment Article
  6. Komatsu.com press release
  7. Hybrid's fuel-sipping character

SAE International World's First Hybrid Excavator

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