Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/217452
machine matters | continued are well-defined and consistent from one brand to another. The key is for contractors to have a solid understanding of how they'll use their compact excavator and choose the one that works best for them. And Adam Purcell, product manager for excavators and dumpers with Wacker Neuson, says "while the discussion of zero versus conventional tail swing is heavily influenced by application, material and soil conditions, in many cases it comes down to personal preference." Hydraulics matter most All sources agreed that auxiliary hydraulic performance is key to overall machine performance. Keith Rohrbacker, product manager for construction equipment with Kubota, says that 95 percent of their compact excavators go out with quick couplers and 75 percent go out with thumbs. Matthew Hendry, excavator product consultant at John Deere and Hitachi, says sophisticated hydraulics and a wide range of attachments turn compact excava- Roundup 8026 CTS JCB The 2.7-ton 8026 CTS has a conventional tail swing option and features short pitch tracks and auto kick-down, with an 11 percent increase in travel speed over the previous model. A valve block with a 17 percent longer spool stroke gives you more precise control. The 24-horsepower engine offers an 8 percent fuel efficiency gain. The machine has a maximum dig depth of just under 9.2 feet. Jcb.com 28 December 2013 | EquipmentWorld.com tors into versatile machines where "the operator is limited only by his imagination." While flow is critical, distribution of the flow is just as important. New Holland is among the manufacturers who have updated their hydraulic systems to reflect this design philosophy. "Our three-pump 'smart' system has one pump each for the boom and arm, the dozer blade and the travel circuit," says Paul Wade, brand marketing manager with New Holland. "They all operate independently so the actuation of one doesn't affect the others." Protecting hydraulic components is important. Jamie Wright, product manager for Terex, says, "Design features on Terex compact excavators ensure long component life. Top-mounted boom cylinders provide excellent cylinder damage protection. These cylinders are inverse mounted so the seal is facing down to prevent dirt build-up and give protection from the elements. The use of spherical bearings ensures the energy from torsional movement of the boom is not transferred to the KX71-3 Kubota Tractor The 25.6-horsepower KX71-3 offers 9 feet 9 inches in dig depth, with a bucket that generates 6,350 pounds of breakout force. With an overall width of less than 5 feet, the machine can fit into tight openings. A tail swing overhang of 18 inches allows the operator to avoid obstacles. Kubota's Intelligent Control System alerts the operator when routine maintenance is due. Kubota.com COMPACT EXCAVATORS cylinder, resulting in a strain-free cylinder run. Replaceable tin-bronze bushings with precisely designed hole patterns in the boom bearing points store lubricating grease to provide uniform coverage. And Terex's cushioned cylinders are endposition damped to extend service life while minimizing inertia forces and reducing cylinder shock." Because hydraulic systems have evolved to take center stage in performance, "overall there's less emphasis on horsepower than there was 10 years ago," says Tom Connor, compact excavator product specialist with Bobcat. "More sophisticated hydraulics provide comparable or even superior performance from less horsepower, with lower fuel consumption, and customers know that. Horsepower is not the indicator of performance it once was." Size, maneuverability and stability Only the smallest of compact excavators will fit through a standard 36inch garden gate. Examples include Bobcat's 1.1-metric-ton 418ZTS at PC27MR-3 Komatsu America With a wide entrance and well-placed handholds, the PC27MR-3 allows easy entry and egress. The pilot proportional joystick controls with wrist rests permit continuous comfortable operations. A minimum swing radius machine, the PC27MR-3 has an operating weight of 6,460 pounds and a maximum dig depth of 9 ft. 4 inches. Komatsuamerica.com