The Development of an 8 tonne Class Hybrid Hydraulic Excavator SK80H

There is an increasing demand for construction machines with lower fuel consumption to prevent global warming and to decrease the operational cost. In response to such demand, we have developed a hybrid system for an excavator of the 8 tonne class. The system employs advanced power electronic components, such as an electric motor, inverter and battery. These components are similar to the ones that have been used for hybrid cars, but are more sophisticated in that they are designed for an increased number of actions performed by an excavator. When installed in an SK80H model, the system has reduced its fuel consumption by 40% or more and also decreased the noise level significantly.