Hyundai will use the Hillhead exhibition in Buxton, UK, to premiere its new 49,500kg HX480 L crawler excavator. The new machine comes packed with high-end features that come as standard, not options.
One important innovation on the new HX range is the new and larger 8in touchscreen monitor the cluster monitor can display information in a similar way to a smartphone and is 30% larger than previous models. It’s also easy to read and the main view of the screen can be adjusted according to the preferences of the driver. It can be controlled via touch control and/or new haptic controller. Connecting to a cell phone is easier than ever with the bluetooth connection to the machine’s radio.
New safety features include Hyundai’s exclusive AAVM (advanced around view monitoring) system for 360° surround virtual operating view which displays on the 8in cluster-monitor. The system consists of an around view monitoring (AVM) system and an intelligent moving object detection (IMOD) system that senses and warns the operator when objects come within working distance of the machine.
At the heart of the HX480 L is a Scania DC13 084Ac 4-cycle turbocharged air-cooled diesel engine that complies with Stage IV emission standards and is rated at 444hp (331kW). Hyundai has chosen a combined solution with EGR and SCR technology.
An Eco Gauge enables economic operation of the machines. The gauge level and color displays engine torque and fuel efficiency level on the touchscreen monitor. In addition the gauge indicates the status of fuel consumption such as average rate and the total amount of fuel consumed. The HX480 L can offer a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 9% depending on the type of operation over Hyundai’s 9A-series of machines.
Hourly and daily fuel consumption can be checked and detailed too, which helps the operator run the machine more economically and efficiently.
The HX series of excavators have a function that turns the machine off when it enters an ‘idling’ state. Operators can select operating mode and ‘idling’ time depending on work environments, which improves its efficiency even further.
The IPC (intelligent power control) controls power depending on work environments. Its mode can be selected and released on the monitor on the excavation mode pump flow can be more cleverly controlled, reducing fuel consumption.
The new electronic fan clutch offers the highest in control efficiency and the best in fuel efficiency. There is also an Eco Breaker Mode where two hydraulic pump summation is available for breaker operation.
The new machines can offer up to 10 breaker and 10 crusher settings, where both flow and pressure requirements for the attachments can be saved on the machine. With the floating boom option, the boom can float freely by connecting to the cylinder head and/or the rod directly to the tank.
Other new options include Fine Swing Control, which can be installed in order to ensure a softer stop of the swing with minimal shock load. A swing lock is an operator-controlled locking mechanism that cuts off swing pilot signal. A Straight Travel Pedal is also an option the straight travel pedal reduces operator fatigue while traveling greater distances. Instead of holding down both right and left pedals, the operator can easily travel by just holding down one pedal.
The HX480 L provides higher productivity on-site by faster operation and can load trucks up to 3% faster and levels up to 7% faster than the 9A-series. In order to achieve efficient grading, the HX series can apply an optional boom floating control using arm-in and arm-out operation only, allowing stable operation even in high-load work.
The HX range have newly designed cabins a new larger front screen has been incorporated and the driver’s door is now easier to open from the inside with an additional handrail. The interior of the HX cab offers 13% more space for the operator (compared to 9A-series). A newly developed air-conditioning system provides better air circulation in the cab. The cab suspension mount reduces the noise inside the cabin.
The new boom and arm for HX480 L has radically enhanced its durability. Principal dimensions have been increased at the most critical section, while their total weights were kept the same by means of structural optimization. A completely new welding technique, which was developed to remove the back plate, also contributed a lot to the improvements of the HX480 L. The new attachments have been proven to last at least 1.8-times longer than those for 9-series.
