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about – a tough dependable quality product, keenly priced and easy to maintain.”
Take a Closer Look
So, let’s take a more detailled look at what the Hidromek Supra 102B offers, and it’s a lot. The first thing an operator looks for, apart from a machine that performs and handles well, is his working environment; after all, he is going to spend much of his day in the cab, so he doesn’t want to be stressed out, and he needs to feel in control at all times. And in the Hidromek, he can be.
For example, from his air suspension seat, with automatic weight adjustment and back support, the operator can easily interact with the machine via the ‘Opera’ interface. The operator can view all information and warnings about the machine through the LCD screen asymmetrically located on the front panel while he is working on loader position. With its unique asymmetric design, the LCD screen increases the field of view of the operator during loading; the fully adjustable steering wheel does not block the display panel in any position, thus, information and warnings on the display screen may always be easily seen and controlled. In the excavation position, again all information and warnings may be viewed on the coloured TFT screen located on the rear panel. A forward-reverse direction control on the front loader control lever allows the operator to make quicker manoeuvres during loading; the operator can apply both loader and forward-reverse commands from a single point without losing steering wheel handling by using the TIPSHIFT button. Meanwhile, a standard MSS (Motion Stabilizer System) works as a shock absorber on the loader lift cylinders. By damping the shock that occurs when a full loader bucket is used on rough terrain, it provides a comfortable ride that is not only smooth but also fast as well. As a standard equipment, Flowsharing valves provide excellent hydraulic control independently from the amount of the load and operator’s skills for various field works such as pipe lying and channel trenching. It allows simultaneous boom, arm and bucket motions even in the low rpms and provides the opportunity of working in noise restricted areas such as hospitals, schools and city centres. Getting back to creature comforts, there is plenty of storage room for the operator’s bits and pieces. There are storage pockets with different sizes and forms on the front and side walls of cab, a cool box for drinks, and washable detachable pockets have been located at various points.
Easy Maintenance
One of the most important characteristics of the Hidromek that perhaps makes it more superior than some of its competitors is that hydraulic hoses are neat, well protected and easy to access. The front grill can easily be opened with a key for access to accumulator and radiator group. This feature shortens the daily routine maintenance periods. Indeed, all of maintenance and service points are in easy-to-access locations – and they can be reached from the ground level. Even the fuse panel has been situated in a way that the operator can easily reach it for maintenance and serviceability!
Key Features
Perkins Diesel Engine Autoshift transmission, 6 forward. 3 reverse gears Maximum driving speed 40 km/h Air conditioned cab as standard Opera Control System Air Suspension Seat Adjustable Steering Wheel Advanced Heating and Cooling System (A/C) Hydraulic Boom Lock Cab Construction with FOPS and ROPS Certificate
view from the cab FIRST LIUGONGS FOR BAM IRELAND MAKE POSITIVE IMPACT
BAM Ireland recently acquired three new LiuGong excavators – two 950Es and a 939 – which are currently earning their keep on a major project in County Kildare; Plant & Civil Engineer has been finding out how the machines, supplied by FJS Plant, have been performing.
It’s the first time BAM has invested in the LiuGong brand, so we were keen to get the company’s initial reaction to how the machines have been working out on the contract at Leixlip where microchip giant Intel is investing €3.5 billion on an expansion of its manufacturing facilities. The two 950E machines are currently employed on rock breaking, while the 939E is being used for loading up trucks and according to BAM plant manager Tommy Flaherty they have been ‘living up to our expectations.’ He told us: “We’ve only had them for a few weeks, so it’s early days, but so far they are performing very well; they are doing everything we had hoped they would.” Added Tommy: “It is true LiuGong is not a widely known brand in this part of the world, but its reputation is growing. They use high quality components such as Kawasaki hydraulic pumps and Cummins engines which are well tried and tested, and used by other major manufacturers; we have Kawasaki pumps, for example, fitted to cranes that we have been running for nearly 30 years without any problem, so that gives us added confidence in the LiuGong machines.” So how have BAM’s operators reacted to the arrival of the LiuGong machines on site? “To be honest, we were initially concerned about how the men would response, but those worries quickly melted away. The operators are very happy with how the brand has been performing, they are happy with the cab, with how all the controls are laid out, with great all-round visibility, all of which provides them with a very comfortable working environment in what can be tough operating conditions. I haven’t heard a bad word said about the LiuGong machines.”
Focus on 950E
Taking a closer look at the machines, focusing on the 950E in particular. It is powered by the latest Cummins
QSM11 engine with a rated net power of 260 kW (349 hp) @ 2,100 rpm
in compliance with EU Stage IIIA emission standards. For operational efficiency, the engine uses a precise, high pressure common-rail fuel injection system, turbo charger and air-toair intercooler, along with electronic engine controls to deliver optimal performance in every shift. Engine emissions are virtually eliminated by NOx and Dual reduction Technology, ensuring that the 950E delivers, both for the environment and the bottom line. LiuGong’s advanced hydraulic system regenerates oil in the cylinders more efficiently reducing heat, increasing fuel efficiency and improving cycle times. The hydraulic system is highly effective in delivering power and precise control to where the operator really needs it, making even the toughest job simple. The 950E’s advanced Intelligent Power Control (IPC) system intelligently delivers the power you need – when you need it. This new generation computer-aided IPC system allows the 950E’s mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems to work together in perfect harmony and helps even novice operators get more from the machine. An improved hydraulic pump system delivers efficient oil output under lower engine speeds, resulting in fuel efficiency and reduced noise level.
Safer Cab
A comfortable operator is a productive operator – and they can feel safe and secure in the spacious cab which benefits from ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) and FOPS (Falling Object Protection System). Visibility, too, is key to protecting both operator and workers on site. The large glass surface area, combined with the rearview camera, provides an extraordinary view of the 950E’s surroundings. It is also safe and easy to get in and out of. Trips and slips can account for the majority of accidents onsite, but well-placed door handles, safety rails and anti-slip tape on the upper part of the machine make it easier and safer for operators to enter and exit the cab in all weathers and conditions. The controls are where the operator needs them to be. They are easy to see, easy to reach and easy to handle.
An easy-to-
read, full-colour LCD monitor displays all the critical information the operator needs, including working mode, hydraulic oil temperature, hydraulic pressure and service intervals, while a multi-adjustable airsuspension seat is comfortable and designed to keep the operator fresh and alert. The cab is sound insulated, vibration protected and well ventilated. It has advanced climate control to handle the changing seasons and is completely sealed to prevent dust from entering the work environment. Eight all-round vents, five selection modes and 6 kW of cooling capacity, creates the perfect working conditions whatever the weather outside, while easyto-replace air filters eliminate dust and prevent particles from polluting the cab. The 950E features a tougher, reinforced heavy duty boom and arm built from high-strength tensile steel, with castings and forgings in high stress areas for heavy-duty performance and maximum uptime. Over-sized pins have also been used to allow the 950E, not just to work harder, but to work harder for longer. Switching attachments like buckets, breakers and shears can be time consuming and hazardous, but with LiuGong`s quick coupler and powerlatch tilt coupler, that task is fast, safe and simple; attachments can be changed from the seat of the cab in less than a minute, quick, safe and easy. Service and routine maintenance are also made easy, thanks to the convenient location of inspection parts, filters and water separator, while an automatic greasing system improves bearing life and reduces repairs by delivering regular and precise amounts of grease to each bearing. Incidentally, handrails are also fitted as standard on the 950E, enabling safe access to the upper structure for easy engine service and maintenance.
Dealer Support
Another factor that influenced BAM to invest in LiuGong, apart from being ‘keenly priced,’ as Tommy put it, was the fact that they can rely on good dealer support from FJS Plant with whom they already had an established and successful working relationship. “FJS have an excellent reputation,” says Tommy. “They have carried out servicing and maintenance work on other brand machines for us over the years and have always been dependable. “When investing in machines, you are not just buying the product, you are also buying into reliable aftersales service and support, and that’s what we get from FJS Plant – plus, as a bonus, they are located just half an hour away from our site here in County Kildare, so they can be with us quickly, not that we have needed such support for the LiuGong machines yet!”
