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Komatsu hybrid digger makes UK debut

24 Aug 12 The first UK sale of Komatsu HB215LC-1 hybrid excavators has been completed, with the machine’s first deployment being the Crossrail project in London.

Marubeni-Komatsu - the sole UK distributor of Komatsu heavy machinery - has supplied five HB215LC-1 hybrid excavators to Shropshire-based Ridgway Rentals. These are the first to be sold in the UK.

“We are delighted to have completed the first ever UK sale of this distinct piece of equipment and are really excited that it’s already being used on such an iconic project as the London Crossrail,” said Marubeni-Komatsu marketing manager Edward Prosser. “These hybrids are probably the most reliable and technologically-advanced in the industry today and represent a truly new generation of excavators.  They are not only designed to provide optimum performance, but also offer significant fuel savings compared with other similar excavators, meaning clients can reduce their carbon footprint and save money at the same time.”

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The Komatsu HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator is said to use an average of 25% less fuel than a traditional excavator and produce approximately 30% less CO2 emissions.  Its design sees an electric swing motor used in place of the traditional hydraulic motor. It which captures and regenerates energy for use when the motor needs to accelerate, to reduce fuel consumption.

Stuart Jones, director at Ridgway Rentals, said: “With the Government pledging to embrace new technologies in a bid to make the capital significantly ‘greener’ and to reduce the city’s CO² emissions by 60% over the next ten years, it seems apt that this particular piece of equipment has been selected to be used on one of its largest scale projects.  Feedback from our client who is currently using the excavator on the London Crossrail project is that it not only performs well but uses a lot less fuel, which has got to be win:win for everyone.”

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