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Alexandra Eastwood<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.australianmining.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hitachi-1024x701.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHitachi aims for the EX5600-7 excavator to be fitted with the boom and arm system as standard at the start of 2026. Image: Hitachi Construction Machinery<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To further strengthen its EX-7 excavator series, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia is about to release two new technology solutions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For over 50 years, Hitachi Construction Machinery<\/a> has been a pioneer in manufacturing equipment, machinery and parts for a range of industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To expand its global footprint, the company founded Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re a supplier of surface mining and construction equipment to Australian operations within the mining, civil and forestry sectors,\u201d Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia general manager \u2013 mining sales Sean Ryan told Australian Mining<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Hitachi Australia\u2019s flagship offerings is the Hitachi EX-7 series of excavators, which first hit the global market in April 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the series has seen over 120 units sold, Hitachi is all about improving and innovating its range to meet customer feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was customer consultation that planted the seed for the long-life boom and arm and operator assist systems, both of which Hitachi has developed over the last five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe boom and arm system extended the component\u2019s maintenance life by 1.5 times, improving the durability and serviceability of our ultra-large hydraulic excavators,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo bolster durability, we have implemented cast steel technologies in high stress connection points, specifically the connection points of the boom to the arm and the cylinders to the boom. This has improved the strength and quality of those structures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hitachi also placed manhole covers inside the boom to improve serviceability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe manhole covers have allowed easy access to the internals of the boom so non-destructive testing inspections can be carried out throughout the life of the component,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t increased the weight of the boom and arm, so we don\u2019t reduce the capabilities or bucket sizing of the equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also looked to improve the welding processes by using new design techniques and technologies. This included alleviating high stress areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further supporting digging and loader operations is Hitachi\u2019s new operator assist system, which aims to reduce burdens such as operator fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the help of sensors, a digging assist function helps to automatically improve control of the hydraulic excavator, while the loading assist function helps to avoid collisions by automatically controlling the front attachment when material is loaded onto a dump truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe operator assist system makes it safer at the dig face, increasing productivity by maximising the use of the machine\u2019s capabilities,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRather than having a fully autonomous piece of digging equipment, which is very difficult because of the variabilities of mining conditions at the dig face, we can make part of that process automated, so operators realise the greatest efficiencies of the excavator\u2019s capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ryan said decarbonisation was a key driver behind the creation of its boom and arm and operator assist solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe operator assist system is about looking at how you can get the most efficiency out of the fuel burn for your operation,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile the boom and arm seeks to extend the service life of components, therefore extending the overall life cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith every ultra-class mining piece of equipment that gets scrapped at the end of its life, an estimated 400 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) is generated. If we can extend serviceability and overall life, it reduces the need for new replacement components and it improves our decarbonisation position.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The operator assist system has undergone successful trials that commenced in early 2024. The system was fit to a Hitachi EX3600-7 backhoe excavator operating in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result of the effective trial, Hitachi is aiming to achieve practical application of the operator assist system in stages from 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe operator assist system is retrofittable, meaning it can be set up with any EX-7 mining series excavator,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boom and arm solution has also seen a successful trial in the Pilbara, trialling on a Hitachi EX5600-7 backhoe excavator for more than 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hitachi aims to begin taking orders of the boom and arm system at the end of 2025, with the EX5600-7 excavator being fitted with the product as standard at the start of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To aid the rollout of the boom and arm and operator assist system over the next few years, Hitachi Australia has 19 mining branches located in regions such as the Pilbara, Townsville, Emerald, Mackay and Brisbane in Queensland, and Muswellbrook in New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith over 1300 employees, more than 900 are electric and mechanical tradesmen who are there to service our customers and their Hitachi products in the field,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also have a division that manages any parts required for equipment across Australia and two remanufacturing centres in Brisbane and Perth where components get repurposed at the end of their lives and are sent back to customers, reducing the amount of raw material and carbon emissions that come with new products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside its extensive excavator range, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia manufactures rigid dump trucks and wheel loaders for a variety of mining applications, among other solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe provide the whole service for overburden or mineral product removal from a mine site,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This feature appeared in the August 2024 issue of Australian Mining<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.australianmining.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-2.51.05%E2%80%AFPM-291x300.png\")
Images: Hitachi Construction Machinery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.australianmining.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-2.51.39%E2%80%AFPM-300x240.png\")
Images: Hitachi Construction Machinery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n