35
april 2014
international
construction
EARTHMOVING
Reducing the burn
Accurate earthmoving
Calculating the lift, angle and tilt of a dozer’s blade
L
eica has launched a new grade control device for dozers – the iCON iGD4SP that
allows operators to angle their bladewhile the system automatically controls lift and
tilt.
As a result, dozers can be run at full speedwhilemaintaining grade and limiting rework,
according to the company.
The system uses a dual mast GNSS configurationwhich provides data that allows
operators know themachine’s exact heading and direction. Themasts are also new, and
feature a slimmer diameter and tightly coiled cables to improve visibility and safety.
Leica claimed that dozers using the iGD4SP solution could even be used in fine grading
applications that would normally requiremotor graders, reducing the need for additional
machines saving in operational costs for the contractor.
capacity 921F – a machine that also adheres to the strict new
emissions lawswithoutusingaDPF. Instead, SCR technologyhas
beenused to comply.The 921Fwill be available in2015.
And the latest Tier 4 Final wheeled loaders from
Caterpillar are the 966M, 966M XE, 972M and 972M XE
models, which have bucket capacities ranging from 2.48
m
3
to 9.94 m
3
, as well as the 980M and 982M wheeled
loaders, which can carry buckets with capacities of between
4.2m
3
and14m
3
.
The XE Advanced powertrain first introduced with the
manufacturer’s 966K XE wheeled loader has continued with
the 966M XE and the 972M XE. The continuously variable
hydrostatic/mechanic XE technology is said to result in +25%
higher fuel efficiency on average compared to machines with
traditional torque converters.
The powertrains on the 966M and 972M have also been
improved with the addition of lock-up clutch torque converters
standard. Caterpillar says thesemachines consume -10% less fuel
on average compared to the 966K and972K.
Excavators
A similar trend can be found in the latest excavators on the
market,withKomatsuAmerica’s largest newTier 4Finalmodel –
the50 tonne classPC490LC-11– claiming a -7%decrease in fuel
consumption compared topreviousmachines.
Its fournewexcavators range from the5 tonneclassPC55MR to
the50 tonne classPC490LC-11.Komatsu said fuel consumption
on the largest model had been decreased
by up to -7% compared to previous
machines. All the machines use EGR
and SCR technology to comply, as well
as a DPF on the PC55MR, and a diesel
oxidation catalyst (DOC) on the 9 tonne
class PC88MR-10.
At the same time,Case unveiled the first
model of its newTier 4 Final-compliant
D Series excavators – the 37 tonne class
CX350D, which will be available in
North America from early 2015. Fitted
with EGR, SCR and DOC engine
Hitachi’s new 63.5 tonne payload rigid dump truck – the
EH1100-5 – is an EU Stage II-compliant machine featuring
Allison automatic transmission and a refined tractive control
system. It also comes equippedwith a data logging unit to
allow remotemonitoring.
John Deere has updated its 12-model
G-Seriesmotor graderswith new
John Deere PowerTech engines to
ensure that they nowmeet Tier 4 Final
emissions standards.