Komatsu to exhibit hybrid excavator

Komatsu's stand will feature its PC200-8 hybrid tracked excavator, the world's first production hybrid construction machine. The unit is currently available in parts of Asia and North America, although no European launch date has yet been set - no doubt the interest gauged at Bauma will be instructive for the company.

The Hybrid PC200LC-8 uses an electric swing motor, power generator motor, capacitor and diesel engine, which captures kinetic energy when the upper body is braked during slewing and uses it to charge capacitors. These can then provide a fast discharge of energy to turn the upper structure or supplement the diesel engine's power.

According to Komatsu this can reduce fuel consumption from between -20% and -40% over a standard PC200-8, depending on the application.