It is a 60‐tonne class machine that can be configured in six different working arrangements. It carries a 2.0-tonne demolition tool up to a height of 32 metres, a 3.34-tonne attachment up to 28 metres height or a 5‐tonne demolition tool up to 17.4 metres.
It has been designed and developed, incorporating customer feedback, by Komatsu UK (KUK) in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
Operating weight of the PC490HRD‐11 ranges from 55.2 tonnes to 73.4 tonnes. Its Komatsu EU Stage V compliant engine puts out 270 kW / 362 HP at 1.900 rpm.
It has been designed to be easily re‐configured for changing work demands. Komatsu’s in‐house boom change system includes oversized quick connectors for the hydraulic lines, to minimise back pressure and oil heating, without restricting oil flow. Hydraulically powered pins are mounted inside the main boom structure to reduce risk of damage.
For transport purposes, every section of the working equipment has tie down points and lifting eyes to allow the equipment to be lifted and secured onto a trailer.
The new excavator’s undercarriage is mechanically variable in standard version to keep the weight down. The optional hydraulically variable undercarriage makes it easier and quicker to set up the machine on site, changing from transport width of less than three metres to a working width of nearly four metres.
Little features for operator convenience include front screen wiper and cab tilt functions that can be triggered without the operator taking their hand off the main controls.
Stuart Blackham, design manager for demolition products at Komatsu UK, said: “We are really pleased that a machine that was designed, developed and manufactured here at KUK has been received so well, and will be used across Europe.”
He added: “There is a desire at Komatsu to continually improve and innovate, no matter how well our machines already perform. This new high reach machine is an example of how customer feedback, combined with our own invention and innovation, can help create a game‐changing machine.”
Product marketing manager Simon Saunders added: “Komatsu is proud that the demolition products sold in Europe are entirely developed and manufactured in our European excavator factory. This means that our innovations are driven by the needs of the local European industry. Everyone is committed to offering exceptional versatility and safety, with a host of operator convenience features.”
