Hitachi unveils hybrid wheel loader at Intermat

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. has unveiled its first mass production hybrid wheel loader at the Intermat exhibition in Paris. The innovative new ZW220HYB-5 Hybrid has been designed and constructed at HCM’s wheel loader factory at Ryugasaki in Japan.

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It has been developed as part of HCM’s quest to manufacture an eco-friendly product, which will use significantly less fuel than it did in 2010. This is in response to the world’s focus on protecting the environment and as a result of increasingly strict emission regulations.

The ZW220HYB-5 incorporates 100% proven Hitachi group technology from the bullet train and EH-series dump trucks, which has been specially developed for the hybrid wheel loader.

To achieve this, the ZW220HYB-5’s four-cylinder engine powers a generator, which produces energy to drive two electric travel motors. When the machine is rolling or braking, it continues to store electricity in a capacitor. Under acceleration, it uses energy by the generator and the capacitor, and so less revs are required when it reaches normal travel speed.

The control units are the key to the electrical power process and engine operation. For example, when lifting and loading automatically the engine rpms increase in regards of the load – and there is no need to use the accelerator pedal.

There are four main benefits of the hybrid system: reduced fuel consumption; enhanced reliability and safety; less noise; and easy operation. The ZW220HYB-5’s hybrid system will improve fuel efficiency by up to 26% compared to the previous conventional ZW220 wheel loader. This reduces the running costs – and yet delivers the same level of performance.

The lifetime cost of the hybrid wheel loader is also reduced thanks to less maintenance that is required for the generator, travel motors and service brakes. Safety has been enhanced by the auto-braking system that enables the machine to travel downhill at a constant speed.

This environmentally friendly product is less noisy: 5dB(A) less in the cab, which makes the working environment more comfortable for the operator; and 2dB(A) less outside.

The ZW220HYB-5 is easier to operate. Using travel motors rather than the conventional transmission, there are no jolts when digging or climbing uphill. In addition, the drive and hydraulic systems are independent, which delivers a higher level of performance.

The hybrid wheel loader has been tested extensively by HCM’s customers at quarrying and waste handling sites in Japan. The feedback has been extremely positive. This has helped the development team to successfully fine-tune the ZW220HYB-5 before introducing it to the Japanese market.

“HCM is constantly focused on enhanced customer satisfaction by developing the latest advanced technology,” says Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV’s Wheel Loader Product Specialist, Vasilis Drougkas. “Customers demand a high level of performance, reduced fuel consumption and a low cost of ownership – this is the challenge for the future development of Hitachi wheel loaders.”