The construction industry has a significant role to play when it comes to the wellbeing of the environment, and so it is no small feat that quality brands such as Komatsu have hybrid excavators available as part of their machinery range.

Hybrid excavators offer a lot of advantages compared to more traditional models that operate on a diesel engine alone. In this article, we will be looking at the features of hybrid excavators in more detail, and compare the benefits to what its diesel predecessor has to offer.

How does a hybrid excavator work?

A hybrid excavator works by combining a traditional diesel engine with an electric swing motor-generator.

The diesel engine remains the primary source of power, while the electrical motor generator acts as a motor to assist during operation and to lower fuel consumption. When the excavator is idling, the electric motor can maintain idle and handle smaller tasks without needing to run the diesel engine. By supplementing the diesel engine with electric power, hybrid excavators help reduce fuel consumption.

The general concept shared by all hybrid technology is to maximise energy and fuel efficiency by switching between power sources. In the case of excavators, the electric motor acts as a generator when the boom/arm is in rest position, and converts kinetic energy into electric energy to be used while the battery recharges. This helps reduce energy waste.

Benefits of hybrid excavators

We’ve already spoken about hybrid excavators reducing fuel consumption, but we’ve listed a few other benefits that are worth knowing about below:

• Operation of machinery is more environmentally-friendly as reduced fuel consumption means fewer emissions being released.
• Lower operating costs overall as diesel engines get less worn out, and these can be expensive to repair and maintain.
• The combination of electric and diesel improves performance and responsiveness, especially when it comes to varying load conditions.

There are some setbacks with hybrid excavators however which cannot be disregarded. For instance, the cost of equipment is considerably higher compared to hydraulic operated excavators due to the added cost of electric components, even if the overall operating cost is lower.

Secondly, electrical systems are not as rugged or sturdy compared to hydraulic systems which can sometimes pose challenges in certain environments where construction work is being carried out.

The importance of excavator maintenance

Regardless of whether you have upgraded to a hybrid excavator or are using a more traditional model, it is highly important that all necessary checks are carried out to ensure that your excavator is functioning the way that it is meant to. You can read our article on excavator maintenance here where we talk about the checks you should tick of your list.

If you would like to talk about our range of excavator parts that we supply for quality brands such as Caterpillar, Volvo and Komatsu, or would like more information on our role in the hybrid landscape of construction machinery, please contact us today on +44 (0) 1604 491133, sales@jaytrac.co.uk or alternatively fill out our contact form and someone will be happy to help.