KOMATSU has revealed that its K100 boom change system for the PC490HRD-11 has demonstrated a ‘new level of demolition project efficiency’ for customers.
The system allows operators to reconfigure the machine within minutes without leaving the cab.
“Listening to demolition contractors showed us that the industry is looking for a significant improvement in efficiency,” said Simon Saunders, working gear product marketing manager at Komatsu Europe. “At Komatsu, we took up this challenge, asking ourselves how to translate our own capabilities into the best business benefits for our customers.
“With the introduction of the patented K100 boom change system, we believe that our customers can fully benefit from the versatility built in to every Komatsu HRD machine, enhance site safety, and reduce project time.”
The K100 boom change system means there is no need to manually handle heavy hydraulic hoses or carry out any manual work at height when changing configuration. Used to its maximum effect, Komatsu added that the system could even allow the PC490HRD-11 to carry out both primary demolition as well as site clearance.
With ‘relatively few changes’ to the structure of the PC490HRD-11, the K100 adds new in-house technology with ‘highly visual’ graphical controls, operating in compliance with ISO safety regulations, the manufacturer explained.
The operator cab of a machine with the K100 system looks similar to that of the conventional boom change machine. All the controls of the K100 system are incorporated within the Human/Machine Interface (HMI) panel, which doubles up as the working range indicator system in normal use. The HMI panel offers instructional animations as well as a built-in view from the alignment camera so that the operator is aware of the machine’s condition at all times.
Equipped with the K100 boom change system, the machine’s operating weight ranges from 62,105kg to 75,830kg, depending on the working configuration.
Hydraulic performance of the K100 system is described as ‘similar’ to the machine with the conventional boom change system. The standard safety and fleet management equipment fitted to the PC490HRD-11 are retained, with the Neutral Detection System, Komatsu Care, KomVision and Komatsu’s telematic system Komtrax all featuring in the standard specification.
