Heavy industries and construction company Doosan’s newest-generation hydraulic excavators – the heavy-duty DX225LCA series – have been designed for greater operator comfort, impro- ved fuel efficiency, enhanced productivity and minimal maintenance requirements.

“There are currently three hundred and sixty 20T Doosan DX excavators in operation in the local industry and we expect the improved DX225LCA series to further consolidate Doosan’s position as a leading supplier in this size class of equipment,” says South African distributor of Doosan equipment Disa Equipment national sales manager Chris Whitehead.

He adds that these robust excavators, which are now available in Southern Africa, are fitted with special features to ensure optimum efficiency and extended service life in harsh local operating conditions.

Design features for the African market include a Tier II mechanical engine for reduced operating costs and a heavy-duty boom and arm, as well as standard hydraulic piping for hammer applications. These machines also have an improved Heavy Construction Class bucket and are supported by Doosan with a two-year and 4 000-hour warranty.

High-performance materials, combined with advanced computer-assisted design techniques, including finite element analysis, are used by Doosan to create robust structures and all materials and components are tested under the most extreme conditions.

Doosan notes that this series has been desig- ned for easy maintenance and reduced down-time. A personal computer monitoring function enables connection to the e-POS (electronic power optimising system). Various parameters can be checked during maintenance, including pump pressure, engine rotation and engine speed. This information can be stored and printed for analysis.

For optimum control, the e-POS system provides a perfect synchronised communication link bet- ween the engine’s electronic control unit and the hydraulic system. A controller area network system facilitates a constant flow of information between the engine and the hydraulic system, ensuring power is delivered exactly as it is needed.

This hydraulic system enables independent or combined operations. Two travel speeds offer either increased torque or high-speed tracking and an autodeceleration system and cross sensing pump ensure fuel savings.

Doosan’s high-strength excavators have a new six-cylinder water- cooled engine that is optimised and electronically controlled to boost production, maximise fuel efficiency and ensure harmful emissions remain well below the values required for Tier II engines.

The multifunction colour liquid crystal display monitor panel is con- veniently positioned and has stan- dard features for simple control and efficient operation. These controls include mode selection, precise flow rate regulation, autodeceleration and display selection. Maintenance and oil change intervals can be displayed, a self-diagnosis function allows technical problems to be quickly resolved and an operational memory provides a graphic display of the machine’s status.

Levelling operations, movement of lifted loads and tricky manoeuvres are all controlled easily and precisely with control levers. Buttons integrated on the levers are used to operate additional equipment like grabs, crushers and grippers.

New features include a spacious, all-weather sound-suppressed cab with a clear all-round view, effec- tive air conditioning and an adjustable seat, with an optional air suspension system to reduce vibrations. For improved safety, there are large handrails and a wide step with antislip plates, right and left rear-view mirrors, a travel alarm and safety glass.

Easy access to all components, including the engine oil filter, radiators and grease inlets, enables quick maintenance procedures and prevents contamination to the surrounding environment.

Doosan earthmoving equipment — which includes track, wheel and mini excavators and articulated dump trucks, as well as wheel loaders and various attachments – has been designed to cope efficiently and safely in Africa’s harsh opera- ting conditions.

The company offers a national technical advisory, maintenance and support service through its branches in Johannesburg, Durban and Wolmaransstad and dealers in East London, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Middelburg, Kimberley, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein.