O&K marks 125 years of service
A extensive range of new excavators will be on show at bauma among a vast spread of various construction machinery. A look at some of the excavators that will be promoted.
01 MARCH 2001
German giant O&K will be presenting a new machine generation on a 4,000 sq m open-air stand at bauma which will be held in Munich, Germany, next month, as it celebrates its 125th anniversary.
On the threshold to the new millennium, O&K started to redesign its entire construction machine range, and last year saw the first new excavator, wheel loader and grader models being launched to tremendous market acclaim, says a spokesman for the Germany-based manufacturer.
At bauma, O&K will be showing further novelties and extensions to its product range, giving trade visitors a condensed overview of the latest engineering produced by Germany's oldest construction machine maker.
The new crawler excavator generation presented last year and headed by the RH 6.5 earned a very good response from the market, says the spokesman.
At bauma, visitors will be able to take a close look at the successful machines.
As a unit representing the new class, O&K will be showcasing the newly-developed RH 16.5. The powerful crawler excavator with a 40-tonne service weight targets the market segment between the familiar 35- and 45-tonne classes. With an engine output of 186 kW and a shovel content of up to 2.3Êcu m, the unit commends itself as powerpack for heavy earthmoving, trenching, pipelaying and demolition jobs, he says.
''Worthy of special mention is the new adjustable undercarriage, which gives the excavator excellent stability in the entire 360-degree range and makes for remarkable lifting capacity,'' the spokesman says ''The adjustability of the undercarriage from 350 cm on the job to 300 cm on the road makes easier work of relocating the big machines from one site to the next. Another merit is the automatic gear shift: depending on the travel pressure of the load, switching from first into second gear and vice versa is automatic, enhancing both operating convenience and safety, while boosting output.
''The RH 16.5 is powered by an environmentally sound, water-cooled Cummins engine. In this tried and tested diesel engine, specifically-designed for construction machines, the low number of revolutions ensures long life. Also, its outstanding speed torque curve and low idle-running speed make the engine both powerful and economical.
''The proven PMS III electronic control system exploits virtually 100Êper cent of the installed engine capacity.
''Just like the other excavators in O&K's new generation, the RH 16.5, too, has been given a redesigned geometry. Slender cylinders, high lifting capacity, long levers and a rise in working pressure boost hydraulic performance and translate into higher speed and more power. Excellent discharge and working range angles round off the advantages of this new geometry.
''Arm and mono boom cylinders are fitted with a regenerative switch. No more power drains on the pump are needed to lower the mono boom. This increases the speed of the lowering action, while reducing fuel consumption. The power no longer needed by this energy-less lowering motion can be used by other applications, permitting faster slewing, for example.
''The comfortable cabin in the 'Softline-Design' offers drivers and their gear a lot of room. Besides an impression of generous light- and air-filled space, the new cabin also boasts an outstanding panorama view. With these features, the new RH 16.5 will fit seamlessly into the success story of O&K's other new crawler excavator models.''
As further representatives of the heavyweight crawler excavators, O&K will also be displaying an RH 23.5 in the 50-tonne class and an RH 25.5 toting 60 tonne.
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