Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia Unveils New Generation Hybrid Excavators

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd today announces the release of the first of its hybrid hydraulic excavators in the Australian market. The Hitachi ZH210-A and ZH210LC-A hybrid excavators represent decades of innovation, research and development in hydraulic, electric and battery-powered excavator technologies.

The shift toward hybrid technology in the automotive industry is now becoming increasingly popular within the earthmoving equipment sector. Engineered by Hitachi Construction Machinery, the new ZH210-A and ZH210LC-A hybrid models herald the start of a new generation of Hitachi excavators.

The new Hitachi hybrid excavators are equipped with an innovative TRIAS-HX hybrid system that combines Hitachi’s newly developed large capacity tri-pump control valve hydraulic and hybrid system. Using electric hybrid technology in conjunction with swing momentum to regenerate energy provides the ultimate platform to reducing fuel consumption.

The combination of regenerated electric power and hydraulic power to the swing motor is an exclusive feature to Hitachi.

In comparison to the standard ZX200-3 excavator featuring two pumps and two control valves, the new TRIAS-HX hybrid system provides increased performance, responsive operation and energy savings.

Generating 165 horsepower, the ZH210-A and ZH210LC-A models incorporate a four cylinder Isuzu diesel engine to deliver greater fuel reductions and higher productivity to operators in the 20-tonne excavator class.

This contributes to an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 9.7* tonnes compared with the ZX200-3. Additionally, by selecting the eco-mode, engine speed can be decreased to provide even further fuel savings.

A monitoring system supports machine operation by highlighting fuel usage data on an average hourly and daily basis. In addition to energy-efficient operations, an automatic idling stop function cuts the engine during machine idling. This limits unnecessary fuel consumption, but also minimises exhaust emissions and noise levels.

Yusuke Kajita, General Manager of the Construction Equipment Development Centre at Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., says, “Technically advanced machines make Hitachi stand out from the crowd. Advanced technology is necessary to maintain our position in the market – not just for the hydraulics and engine, but also for electrical technology.

“Hitachi is the largest electrical products manufacturer in Japan and so we are very strong in this area. When fossil fuels are in short supply and become more expensive, electrical technology will be the key to the future and we will be in an excellent position to capitalise on this."

An increased demand exists for earthmoving equipment manufacturers to design environmentally-sustainable technology. As part of a global commitment to the environment, particularly in emerging countries across the globe, Hitachi Construction Machinery continues to revolutionise and evolve its products to deliver innovative solutions to customers.