Watch: hybrid hype with Komatsu excavator

Komatsu first introduced hybrid technology to their excavator range in 2008, with the PC200-8. There have been three updates to this system over the intervening years, leading up to the fourth generation hybrid system which is found in Komatsu’s latest offering to the 36t excavator market.

Launched into the European market in the middle of 2016, the new system is based on an electrically-powered slewing system – the kinetic energy of the rotation of the machine is collected and stored in a capacitor. This gives instant retrieval and release of the power unlike a battery, which may slow the system down. It can be used either to boost power from the engine or to raise the engine speed more swiftly when required.

The numbers of the engine and hybrid system combined are impressive – the 8.85 litre common rail direct injection, turbocharged, after-cooled diesel engine produces 202 kW/271 hp and the hybrid system adds a useful 57kw/70hp.

The HB365LC-3 weighs in at between 36,400 and 37,350kg, with a bucket capacity of 2,66 m³.

The first HB365LC-3 to go to work in Ireland is owned by McCabe’s Plant Hire in Monaghan. They purchased two at the beginning of the year, with the machine I visited clocking 290 hours since mid-January. Mainly it has been loading a crusher and screener set-up. Komatsu claim to be getting a 20% fuel saving in comparison to the previous non-hybrid 360.

The HB365LC-3 machine is being used side-by-side with a 360 and the operator is finding that it is using about two litres of diesel less per hour. Not quite the 20% claimed, but still a substantial saving over the life of the machine.

When talking to the operator of the machine he said that the hybrid is an upgrade from Komatsu 360 he operated before its arrival. The biggest improvement that he has found is the ability of the machine to carry out different operations simultaneously. He believes this is from the fact that the slewing mechanism is being powered separately from the hydraulics. This allows more hydraulic effort to go to the boom.

It was also obvious that the electric slewing was much quieter than a hydraulically-driven system. The extra 70 hp from the hybrid system also means that there is lots of power available when required. He said that when all is going well, the Komatsu is capable of moving 300-350t of rock per hour.

McCabe’s have taken delivery of their second HB365LC-3 and it will be put to work in the near future.

Sitting in the cab of the big Komatsu, the layout is the same as the earlier models. The screen is multi-function and you can easily switch between the main screens. The first screen gives all the vital information about the machine – oil temperature, hybrid coolant temperature and all the other normal gauges. The next page on the screen shows where the power that is being used is coming from and whether the capacitor in the hybrid system is currently charging or discharging. This screen is very interesting to watch as the machine is working, as it shows the flow of power around the machine.

The other main function of the screen is that it is used as the monitor for the cameras mounted on the back and side of this machine. The side-mounted camera was something that was an extra on this machine. It gives the operator a view of the blind spot which can sometimes occur behind the boom.

When the machine is working the noise levels in the cab are very low.

Lower than the noise of a hairdryer according to Komatsu.

McHale Plant Sales import Komatsu into Ireland and say there has been good interest in this machine.

All this technology and specification doesn’t come cheap though. This machine has a list price of €335,000. While the savings that can be gained from the fuel efficiency of these hybrid machines is impressive, the most impressive part of this machine is its ability to outperform machines of similar weight due to the boost in power and drivability given by the hybrid system.

The Figures