Komatsu offers fingertip controls on mini excavators

Komatsu is now offering optional fingertip controls on several of its MR-3 mini- and midi-excavators.

The manufacturer said the new controls offer improved versatility and operation comfort; "the new controls act on the first auxiliary hydraulic line and guarantee maximum precision and minimum finger fatigue when working with attachments."

The controls can be installed now on the PC30MR-3, PC35MR-3, PC45MR-3 mini-excavators and the PC80MR-3 midi excavator, and by October 2010 they will be available as an option on the PC26MR-3 mini excavator and as a standard fitting on the PC80MR-3 midi model.

The auxiliary oil flow rate can also now be adjusted from the operator's seat. Maximum flow is set by pushing two switches on the monitor panel to match the requirements of the attachment in use.

Komatsu said that also available as an option, to reduce noise levels and give energy savings, is a new auto-idling system that will automatically reduce engine speed to a minimum when control levers are left in neutral position for more than a few seconds.