Kobelco goes green in EU

The new cranes have been designed with saving energy (and the environment) in mind. They include three key features that Kobelco says will help with this.

When selected, AIS, or Auto-Idle-Stop, automatically stops the engine when it has been idling for more than 10 seconds. Kobelco says AIS reduces fuel consumption and cost. By reducing wear and deterioration of engine components, maintenance cost is reduced.

G-Winch provides higher line speed without raising engine speed. The high-speed mode allows an unladen or lightly-loaded hook to be raised or lowered at maximum line speed without raising engine.

Finally, G-Engine keeps the engine running within fuel-efficient parameters by limiting maximum engine speed. Engine speed is reduced, but at the same time pump capacity is controlled to maintain maximum winch speed for running or lifting. Kobelco says G-Engine improves fuel consumption by 10%.

As well as these energy-saving focused features, known as G-Mode, Kobelco claims a range of other benefits for the cranes. The new cranes for the European region have been built to EUR Stage IIIB Engine with diesel particle active reduction system (DPR). DPR burns particle matter collected by the diesel particulate filter at a high temperature. Kobelco says this reduces particle emission nearly 90% compared to cranes equipped with current EUR Stage IIIA engines.

Additionally, on its CKE lift cranes in the series, Kobelco will be introducing a single- to dual-flow switch for the hydraulic circuit. This will enable them to be used, like the BME cranes, for duty cycle work, making them a move versatile choice for rental users.

The cranes are on sale now, and will receive their first public airing in finished form at Intermat in Paris in April 2012.