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New Kobelco SK240SN-11 an Italian special

Following increased demand for heavy but narrow construction machines in Italy, Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. (KCME) has announced the launch of the SK240SN-11 excavator. The new model benefits from a super-narrow undercarriage, which offers a number of additional advantages to operators in urban and mountainous regions.

The SK240SN-10 was first released in 2018 and has proven to be a popular and useful machine for operators in Italy, and the next-generation SK240SN-11 builds on this success. The new machine has been designed with a transport width of 2,540mm and a shoe width of 550mm in order to meet Italy’s strict transportation regulations.

Despite its narrower size, the new model is equipped with a powerful Stage 5-compliant Hino engine to deliver 124kW output, 143kN digging force (157kN with Power Boost) and 227kN Drawbar Pulling Force, just like the equivalent SK210SNLC-11. Smooth and steady operation while moving heavy objects across the jobsite is aided through the ‘Independent Travel’ function, which dedicates one hydraulic pump to travel and one to the attachment on a continuous basis.

The SK240SN-11 has an operating weight of 23,500 to 24,500kg and when fitted with the standard counterweight (4,900kg), the machine offers a lifting capacity of 11,890kg (4.5m reach with 2.94m arm), making it suitable for mid-scale general construction as well as handling heavy-duty or complex attachments. In addition, the SK240SN-11 enables operators to select one of three work modes that best suits the project at hand: Eco, S and H mode. This flexibility provides the optimum balance between high performance and economy and low fuel consumption.

As the working environment in and around the mountainous Alpine region is particularly harsh, the SK240SN-11’s major components have been reviewed and improvements have been made to ensure stable performance in such tough environments. For example, the machine’s right and left side panels and rear supports have been made thicker to enhance body rigidity, while the increased diameter of the bucket cylinder rod pin contributes to enhanced durability for various attachments.

Reinforced HD shoes made from thick steel plate are perfect for rough and stony ground, the rear of travel motor cover is reinforced and the hydraulic piping and equipment is protected against damage from rubble and other debris.

In terms of operator comfort, the SK240SN-11 follows the stunning Performance X Design concept for excellent operator-based operability and wellbeing. The Kobelco-branded Grammer air suspended seat moves together with the armrests and hydraulic controls for reduction of operator fatigue and provides excellent shock absorption and superior ride comfort.

The operator can also move the levers without twisting their wrist, and the newly upgraded hydraulic control system responds to shorter lever strokes to deliver a swifter, more precise movement and improved lever operability. The cabin’s large 10-inch colour monitor offers a simple menu screen controlled by jog-dial, and facilitates reading of important information, including work mode, maintenance intervals and fuel consumption. The screen also provides birds-eye and eagle-eye views from the machine’s cameras (installed at the right and rear of the machine).

In addition, all internal switches and dials in the cabin have LED backlights to provide a bright, clear view in the dark, and the machine comes with all the modern home comforts including air conditioning, a DAB+ radio (FM/AM, AUX, USB, Bluetooth and hands-free telephone), smartphone holder and a 12V power outlet.

To avoid prolonged periods of downtime, easy maintenance is assured via the left side, which is laid out for easy access to the radiator and cooling system. Operators have easy access to the urea tank and two-stage air filter and the standard OPG Level II top guard can be tilted open for easy window cleaning. Also ideal for the Alpine region, the new Kobelco SK210NLC-11 is a slightly smaller, yet equally as powerful option.

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