John Deere launched its 744 X-Tier and 824 X-Tier wheel loaders, the company’s latest production-class loader offerings. Engineered with the demanding conditions of construction jobsites in mind, John Deere says the loaders are designed for customers looking to benefit from increased fuel efficiency, enhanced productivity and operator comfort. Both loaders feature John Deere’s electric variable transmission E-Drive system and a JD9 diesel engine as the primary power source. The E-Drive component provides instant power while simplifying operation and reducing complexity, according to John Deere. The machines offer reductions in annual fuel costs due to their hybrid design, as well as enhanced productivity features that ensure up to a 7 percent total cost of ownership life cycle advantage over conventional drive systems, the company adds.
New line of excavators designed for demolition jobs
Komatsu introduced a new portfolio of demolition excavators to the North American market. The models making up the portfolio are the PC490HRD-11, PC290LC-11, PC360LC-11 and PC490LC-11. Komatsu says the four excavators have been successfully operating in the European market for more than 20 years and are now available to the North American demolition industry. The PC490HRD-11 demolition excavator can reach up to 104 ft. and includes a full demolition guarding package, a 45-degree tilting cab and a human/machine interface panel. The PC290LC-11, PC360LC-11 and PC490LC-11 straight boom excavators provide 22 to 26 percent more reach than standard excavators, Komatsu says, with easy customization that allows users to program up to 15 different tools. Komatsu’s additional product line of Lehnhoff quick couplers and Montabert demolition attachments can be paired with these demolition excavators to further increase the versatility of these machines.
Fuel efficiency, enhanced safety key features of new excavators
Volvo CE introduced a new range of excavators with upgrades that include greater fuel efficiency, increased productivity, enhanced safety and other operator-friendly features. As the company describes, its new series represents the most significant update to the Volvo excavator lineup in 20 years. The initial launch includes multiple medium and large excavator models in North America – including the ECR145 short swing, the EC210, the EC230, the EC370, the EC400 and the EC500 crawler excavators. Volvo CE says a newly optimized electrohydraulic system and other features – including a smart cooling system and engine speed regulation for higher torque at a lower rpm – add up to a 15 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the previous Volvo CE generation.