Komatsu Europe Launches PC210LCi-10 Hydraulic Excavator with Impressive UK Open Day

David Roberts of the HUB recently went along to Komatsu in Birtley, Co Durham for the UK launch of the new PC210LCi-10 excavator, the world’s first intelligent Machine Control excavator, and also took a tour of the production facility.

The impressive production facility opened in 1987, and the plant currently employs nearly 400 staff. It produces a range of hydraulic tracked excavators from a size range of 16 to 80 tonnes operating weight. Since the plant was opened it has produced over 60,000 machines, the greater proportion of which have been exported to Europe and North Africa. This has contributed greatly not only to the local economy in the North East, but also the UK's balance of payments. In addition to normal hydraulic excavators the plant also produces specialist long reach and demolition excavators. Models currently produced by the Komatsu Birtley Plant are the PC 190LC/NLC-8, PC 210/LC-10, PC 240LC/NLC-10, PC 290LC/NLC-10, PC 360LC/NLC-10, PC 490/LC-10, PC 700LC-8 and PC 800/LC-8.

The process of quality control is key to the facility and each part of the production process is ‘owned’ by each technician, and the work completed is signed by each person right through the production process, so adding accountability and ownership to quality control and making for a much higher standard of manufacture.

Out on the custom built demonstration area we were introduced to the new PC210LCi-10
excavator. A Komatsu and world premiere, the PC210LCi-10 features Komatsu’s exclusive machine control and guidance system, fully integrated with all other qualities and benefits of a standard Komatsu PC210LC-10 excavator. Thanks to the exclusive control function, the operator will no longer worry about digging too deep or damaging a target surface. From rough digging to finish grading, the PC210LCi-10 excavator can dramatically improve efficiency, precision and safety on the work site.

Visitors were able to get ‘hands-on’ and actually try out the PC210LCi-10 machine control and guidance system for themselves, under the watchful eye of the Komatsu team, which was incredibly effective in showing how beneficial this system actually is.

Factory installed, Komatsu’s fully integrated intelligent Machine Control system includes
stroke sensing hydraulic cylinders for the boom, arm and bucket, newly developed by
Komatsu for precise real time bucket edge positioning. The IMU (Inertial Measuring Unit)
gives precise machine orientation and determines machine angle from gyro and accelerometer data. High performance antennae send satellite signals to a GNSS receiver that processes them and provides real time position of the machine.

With the world’s first intelligent Machine Control excavator, the bucket is automatically
limited from digging beyond the target surface. The control function maintains grade
automatically, with real-time bucket edge positioning in relation to the machine and the job
surface. Status is instantly displayed on the full colour, multi-function 12.1” control box
monitor, eliminating the wait time associated with conventional sensors.

The Komatsu PC210LCi-10 intelligent Machine Control excavator lets the operator focus on
moving material efficiently, with no worry about digging too deep. The touch screen control
box monitor, makes grading easy and accurate with a facing angle compass, a light bar and
audio guidance. Information such as real-time “as-built” status, a magnified fine grading view
or a 3D bird view can be displayed simultaneously. By setting 3D design data on the control box monitor, staking can be reduced or eliminated, as can surveying and final inspection. Safety is greatly improved, with less people needed on the job site and near the machine.

The latest KOMTRAX™ technology on the PC210LCi-10 sends machine operating information to a secure website utilizing wireless technology. Data such as operating hours, fuel consumption, location, cautions and maintenance alerts are relayed to the web application for analysis. The KOMTRAX™ fleet monitoring system increases machine availability, reduces the risk of machine theft, allows for remote diagnosis by the distributor, and provides a wealth of other information to drive business efficiency and productivity.

The PC210LCi-10 is supported by Komatsu CARE, a complimentary maintenance program for Komatsu customers that comes as standard with every new Komatsu EU Stage IIIB construction machine. For the first three years or 2.000 hours it covers factory-scheduled maintenance, performed by Komatsu-trained technicians with Komatsu Genuine parts. Komatsu CARE offers up to a maximum of 2 complimentary Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filter (KDPF) exchanges and a KDPF warranty for the first 5 years or 9.000 hours. Operating weights range from 22.620 kg - 23.480 kg, depending on the configuration, with a net 123 kW (165 HP) @ 2.000 rpm. Other specifications are identical to those for the Komatsu PC210LC-10.

The unique benefits of Komatsu’s intelligent Machine Control system on the new Komatsu
PC210LCi-10 excavator are summarized by an outstanding improvement in productivity. This is achieved by consistent accuracy when rough digging, and by completing final grade
automatically in just one pass. Cycle times and operator performance are thus improved with
a reduced risk of error, and lower costs for fuel, labour and machine utilisation. To find out more please visit www.marubeni-komatsu.co.uk

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