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Digging Green
Doosan Is the Navy’s New Recruit
JLG Discontinues Rear-Pivot Steer Telehandlers
Honda’s Ready for Some Football
FMI U.S. Construction Markets Overview
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Digging Green
Komatsu Unveils Hybrid Excavator
 Amidst all the doom and gloom of down markets, Komatsu’s new Hybrid PC200LC-8 excavator is a breath of clean, fresh air in the stale North American excavator market. Powered by the Komatsu Hybrid System, the Hybrid PC200LC-8 uses a newly developed electric swing motor, power generator motor, capacitor and diesel engine.
Komatsu developed its revolutionary hybrid system to work on the principle of swing energy regeneration and energy storage using the Komatsu Ultra Capacitor system. Komatsu’s Ultra Capacitors provide fast energy storage and instantaneous power transmission. The kinetic energy generated during the swing braking phase is converted to electricity, which is sent through an inverter and then captured by the Ultra Capacitor.
This captured energy is then quickly discharged for upper structure rotation and to assist the engine, as commanded by the hybrid controller when accelerating under work load conditions.
Currently, the PC200LC-8 is in the testing phase, but is slated to be releeased into the North American market next year. In tests comparing the standard PC200LC-8 hydraulic excavator to the Hybrid PC200LC-8, the hybrid model reduced fuel consumption by approximately 25 to 40 percent, depending on the application. Komatsu’s goal is to meet increasing global environmental concerns through the development of innovative equipment designed to reduce environmental impact, including CO2 reduction. By developing a successful hybrid excavator in the largest construction machine segment (20-22 ton), Komatsu’s green technology will have a substantial impact on saving fuel and reducing green house emissions.
The Hybrid PC200LC-8 is powered by the powerful, turbocharged and air-to-air after-cooled Komatsu SAA4D107E-1 that provides138 hp. With an operating weight of 43,643 to 47,260 lbs, the Hybrid PC200LC-8 has a bucket capacity of 0.66 to 1.57 cu yd. It also has the same vigorous working forces and performance levels of the conventional PC200LC-8.
The innovative cab design assures operator comfort because the viscous cab damper mounts reduce vibration. A 7-in. LCD monitor provides easy-to-read gauges and onboard diagnostics, as well as displaying the rear-view monitoring system for viewing the work area to rear of the machine.
Doosan Is the Navy’s New Recruit
 There’s a new air force ready to provide the Navy with air support. It’s Doosan Infracore Portable Power’s tandem axle air compressors. Doosan recently delivered 48 new Ingersoll Rand P260WIR air compressors to complete an order with the U.S. Navy for worldwide deployment in support of efforts of the naval expeditionary forces.
“These P260WIR compressors are designed to supply air power for a variety of construction and demolition tools,” said Marc James, Government Sales Manager for Doosan Infracore Portable Power. “The units will be used by the Navy for both military and humanitarian missions around the globe.”
The oil-flooded rotary screw P260WIR air compressors have a flow capacity of 260 cfm at 100 psig. The tandem axle units feature the world’s most reliable airend and are designed to meet the most demanding military needs in the field.
A specialized manifold on the units has four 3/4-in. service valves and one 1 1/2-in. service valve complete with quick-disconnect couplings. The manifold is designed with several hose attachment points of different diameters to provide for quick connection to a variety of tools, as well as multiple users.
“The capabilities of these air compressor packages make them ideal for the needs of the naval expeditionary forces,” James said. “The tandem axles and four tires distribute the load, allowing the compressors to be towed through the harshest of conditions without damaging the compressor.”
The P260WIR compressors are powered by a direct-injection Ingersoll Rand 79-bhp, 2,300-rpm diesel engine. The four-cylinder, Tier 3 electronically-controlled engine is capable of operation with JP-8 military jet fuel. A high-capacity 29-gal fuel tank allows for extended runtime. |
JLG Discontinues Rear-Pivot Steer Telehandlers
 After years of hard work, four JLG Industries Inc. rear-pivot steer telehandler models are taking their retirement. Starting in 2010, the G6-42P, 534D9-45, 534D10-45 and 544D10-55 will no longer be part of the JLG branded family of telehandlers.
“The market for rear-pivot steer telehandler models has been in decline for the last several years,” said Brian Boeckman, JLG Industries Product Parent for telehandlers. “The decreased demand for these units, combined with the continuing burden placed on manufacturers to comply with increasingly stringent EPA engine standards, led us to the decision to discontinue these four niche models. Our customers can rest assured that JLG will continue to support machines in the field with the same level of parts and service available today for many years to come. JLG will focus its resources on developing and maintaining the products and services that bring the most value to our customers.”
JLG will continue to manufacture the JLG branded G5-18A, 619A, 723A, G6-42A, G9-43A, G10-43A, G10-55A and G12-55A. Programs will be put in place to provide customers with access to rebuild and reconditioned rear-pivot steer units long after the last new units are manufactured, as part of JLG Ground Support aftermarket support program.
Honda’s Ready for Some Football
 Why settle for simply powering your jobsite, when you can power it and show off your college football pride? Honda Power Equipment has renewed its sponsorship agreements with two college football powerhouses from the SEC Conference. The University of Alabama and Auburn University once again have named Honda’s Super Quiet EU Series of portable generators as the Official Generator for their 2009 college football seasons. To tap into team spirit, Honda is marketing three commerative EU2000i generators — ideal for any trip to the great outdoors — branded for Auburn University, the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia.
As part of its University of Alabama and Auburn University sponsorships for this football season, Honda is providing Super Quiet lightweight portable generators to power the corporate sponsor and hospitality areas for both universities.
For tailgating fanatics, Honda is hosting the Ultimate Tailgating Experience, an entertaining, interactive tailgating display during home games at both universities. The display demonstrates Honda generators in action, providing quiet, clean power for college football tailgating.
“Special events and tailgating activities have become a staple of college football games, with event hosts setting up TVs, computers, speaker systems, fans, heaters, blenders, cookers and other gear that contribute to the ambience of the outdoor football experience,” said Steve Bailey, Vice President of Honda Power Equipment. “Honda’s recreational generators, designed for the ultimate in quality, convenience, portability, quiet operation and fuel efficiency, are an ideal match for the electricity-hungry needs of college football weekend events.”
FMI U.S. Construction Markets Overview
Hot on the heels of FMI’s Utility Construction Outlook in last month’s Utility Contractor, the 2010 U.S. Market Construction Overview takes a look the construction industry as a whole. This year’s Overview consists of three major pieces: a compilation of strategic issues in the current environment, important trends observed in 13 client groups served by FMI and the third quarter 2009 forecast.
Report highlights include:
- Residential construction will decline 25 percent in 2009 and will recover in 2010.
- Nonresidential construction will decline 13 percent in 2009 and 16 percent in 2010.
- Nonbuilding construction will be the only positive contributor, increasing 5 percent per year in 2009 and 2010.
- Project cancellations are five times the normal rate and are currently at 10 percent of backlog (doubled from 3Q08).
- Total residential construction will be $268.5 billion in 2009, down from its 2006 high of $619.8 billion.
- 2009 will be the worst year for housing starts since records began being kept in 1959.
- Power construction is expected to remain positive for the next five years, attaining new highs each year, reaching $122.1 billion in 2013.
For more information about the FMI 2010 U.S. Markets Construction Overview, please contact Kathryn Robinson of FMI Corp. at krobinson@fminet.com.
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