Komatsu Europe’s K100 system now available on demo excavator
27 July 2021
Komatsu Europe has made its new K100 boom change system available as an optional extra with its PC490HRD-11 high reach demolition excavator.
Already available with the manufacturer’s PC490-11 hydraulic crawler, the K100 system enables operators to switch between different attachments without leaving the cab in a just a few minutes.
Simon Saunders, working gear product marketing manager at Komatsu Europe, said: “Listening to demolition contractors showed us that the industry is looking for a significant improvement in efficiency.
“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.”
According to Simon, the K100 further advances Komatsu previous boom change system and allows operators to carry out demolition work in a new way.
Komatsu’s new system includes oversized quick connectors that minimise back pressure and oil heating to the hydraulic lines, without restricting oil flow.
The company said the optional extra also features hydraulically powered pins on the inside of the main boom structure, which helps to reduce the risk of damage.
While the standard PC490HRD-11 has a minimum operating weight of 55.2 t, when equipped with the K100 boom change system this is increased to between 62.1 and 75.8 t, “depending on the working configuration”.
The specialist excavator, which offers six different configurations, can be fitted with a range of demolition attachments.
In addition to 5.0 t (5,000 kg) attachments for digging or “medium height arrangements”, operators can use the PC490HRD-11 with attachments weighing up to 2.5 t (2,500 kg) and 3.3 t (3,380 kg) at maximum reaches of 32 m (104 ft) and 28 m (91 ft) respectively.
Komatsu said: “Used to its maximum effect, the K100 system could even allow the PC490HRD-11 to carry out both primary demolition as well as site clearance, perhaps even removing an extra machine from the site.”
The K100 system is accessible via the machine’s in-cab Human/Machine Interface (HMI) display panel.
The panel also provides operators with features such as Neutral Detection System, Komatsu Care, KomVision and the Komtrax telematics system.