Komatsu sees big things ahead for K100

Simon Saunders is the company’s working gear product marketing manager, based at Komatsu’s United Kingdom plant near Newcastle upon Tyne in the north east of England, where the PC490 excavator was developed.

The new boom change system builds on the previous technology dating back to 2003, but with several new features. Photo: Luc Hilderson

Launched at a virtual event, PC490-11 K100 builds on the previous boom change system dating back to 2003, but with several new features, not least the speed at which the boom can be changed.

“The K100 really reflects that there quite a few ‘100s’ associated with the system,” said Simon Saunders.

“We have timed it and in ideal conditions I believe you can change the configuration of the machine in around 100 seconds. It is also 100% developed by Komatsu in-house, and the operator can change the boom configuration 100% by himself and 100% from within the cab.

“The system itself allows the operator, realistically, to be able to change the configuration of a machine during a project. And we expect the customers to have the opportunity to really look again at how they are doing demolition work.

“For example, if they use the high reach equipment on the taller parts of the building, when the heavier sections they can easily off the high reach equipment and pick up the shorter equipment.

“This will bring a very heavy and powerful demolition tool to bear, and the work will be done more quickly. And if they can use the same machine to load the trucks to take the materials away, then perhaps they could even save an additional machine being on the job site.

“We think that is the most important benefit of the machine, but some of the most important components are the HMI, the human machine interface in the operator cab, which is really where the operator controls the whole system from.

“That interacts with an ISO-compliant safety controller, which makes sure that the machine condition is understood at all steps of the process and that the machine always behaves in a predictable way.”

The K100 offers a maximum height of 17.4 m (57 ft) in straight position with a 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) attachment, or 14.6 m (47 ft) cranked.

The maximum height in high reach mode is 28 m (91 ft) with a 3,350 kg (7,385 lb) attachment while the extended high reach option is 32 m or 104 ft (attachment 2,500 kg or 5,511 lb). Operating weight is 75,830 kg (167,176 lb).