Wirtgen's dual power

Wirtgen has launched its twin-engined W210 cold milling machine at Bauma.

With the dual engine configuration, the W210 boasts a maximum output of 500 kW. Through selective use of the two diesel engines, the company estimates fuel savings of up to +25% will be achievable over comparable single engine variants.

For milling to a depth of 40 mm or less or for moving the machine on site, the W210 uses just one of its engines, while for milling to depths of up to 330 mm, both engines and the full 500 kW of power come into play.

The 28,1 tonne machine has a standard milling width of 2 m, although drums of 1,5 or 2,2 m are available as options.

Designed with a 'wasp' like waist so the operator can see the milling edge and the crawler tracks, the entire operator canopy can move left or right to avoid obstacles such as road signs or trees.

Furthermore, the operator station is isolated from both the milling drum and the engine to minimise vibration, an important factor in alleviating operator fatigue.

Milling specialist at Wirtgen, Bernd Holl told CE, "In developing the W210 we carried out a full cost analysis looking at the milling process and fuel costs. Through this process we identified that milling machines could be more economical and much more environmentally sensitive.

"We established that milling equipment only operates at full power for about 10% of the time. This was the driver behind the adoption of the twin engine concept," he said.

The station is equipped with a multi-function screen which details operator information as well as diagnostic functions. The screen also shows up to six camera views from around the machine, a significant safety feature for a machine of this size. Mr Holl told CE, "We have reduced the number of operator switches by -30% and the operator only needs to work 50% of the controls that he did with the earlier W2000 machine."

Equipped with Wirtgen's 'parallel to surface' system, the W210 experiences less wear of its cutting tools because as milling starts the automated lowering process is conducted in a more sympathetic manner than is achievable manually.

The W210 is also fitted with a four-fold floating axle, which enables the machine to smooth lumps automatically. The axle also eases entry to and exit from the cut.

Other technology on the W210 includes intelligent speed control (ISC), which prevents slip of the crawler tracks. This hydraulic system automatically controls the speed of the outer and inner tracks so they're synchronised. This ensures the machine has optimum traction, even in tight turns where the outer track has to travel further than the inner. "The ISC system improves traction and reduces track wear