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bauma 2013: New developments in construction machinery deliver ever greater fuel efficiency

Energy-efficiency and fuel-saving are two of the main trends that will be in the spotlight at bauma 2013, International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment. New solutions to these challenges will be presented in almost all the segments at this event, which takes place from April 15 to 21, 2013, in Munich. Outlined below are just some of the fuel-saving innovations for construction machinery to be showcased at bauma.

JCB uses new engines
The British construction machinery manufacturer JCB is presenting its Ecomax engines for the first time at bauma 2013. These engines meet the rigorous emissions standards Stage IIB and Tier 4 Interim, without the need for diesel particle filters or emissions after-treatment. Instead JCB is using a new engine technology (patent-pending) which enables particularly clean and efficient combustion. As well as the environmental benefit from lower emissions, this new development gives customers improved torque across the whole range of speeds, which according to the manufacturer significantly reduces fuel consumption. JCB is fitting the Ecomax engines to excavators, loaders (backhoe/wheel/telescope/telescopic-wheel/compact), telescopic handlers and rough terrain forklifts.

Cat presents its first hybrid excavator
Caterpillar will be unveiling its new Cat hybrid excavator 336E H to the trade audience for the first time in Munich. Instead of losing the kinetic energy when braking the upper structure, it is captured in accumulators and re-used during swing acceleration. According to this American manufacturer, it has mastered the technically very difficult challenge of re-using hydraulic energy. The reward for the efforts of the developers, says the company, is a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 25 percent. Another way of saving on operating costs is offered by the Cat wheel loader 966K XE, also on show in the Bavarian capital in April 2013. This has been fitted with a new, stepless powertrain system designed to minimize fuel consumption.

Liebherr lines up for the start with a new hybrid crawler crane
The German manufacturer Liebherr will be presenting a hybrid solution for heavy duty applications at bauma – the HS 8300 HD Duty Cycle Crawler Crane. Weighing in at over 350 tonnes, this world´s first is fitted with a powerful and also environmentally friendly hybrid drive on a hydraulic basis. According to the manufacturer, the storage and subsequent reactivation of excess energy increases handling rates and also significantly reduces fuel consumption. In addition, the tried and trusted technology of hydraulic energy storage is low on maintenance as well as being highly reliable. This mighty machine has hydraulic free-fall winches offering approximately 50 tonnes of line pull.

Doosan balances productivity and fuel consumption
Doosan Construction Equipment has brought out two new heavy-duty excavators in the 50-tonne class, both of which meet the Stage IIIB emissions standard: the DX490LC-3 model, with an operating weight of 49 tonnes, and the DX530LC-3, with 52 tonnes. According to this Korean manufacturer, the ratio of productivity (excavated m3/h) to fuel consumption (l/h) in standard operating mode was increased by nine percent in both these models as compared to the previous models. The secret to the lower overall fuel consumption, says Doosan, lies in improved cooling, a display to inform the driver about fuel consumption and optimized main control valves, which reduce energy losses and deliver higher efficiency. In addition, extra sensors are fitted which ensure better electronic control of the pumps, the engine and the main control valve. As a result, throughput, pressure and torque can all be precisely adjusted to suit the individual operating requirements.

Hamm saves fuel with load-dependent control
Hamm AG of Germany, part of the Wirtgen Group, is expanding its range of articulated tandem rollers. The new models – HD+ 70i and HD+ 80i – are fitted with engine technology that already meets the EU IV / Tier 4f standards, which will come into force in 2014. Two separately controlled ventilators cool the charge air, hydraulic oil and engine cooling fluid. In doing so the load-dependent control of the ventilator for engine cooling saves fuel and reduces noise emissions. In addition the rollers are fitted as standard with the Hammtronic engine management system, which, according to Hamm, ensures that the engine is always operated in the right loading range. This optimizes performance and minimizes consumption.



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