Product feature: Kobelco SK140SRLC-7

Date: 08.02.2024

The Series 7 SK140SRLC packs in performance, efficiency, and productivity with increased power and speed

Jon from Sceats Earthmovers Ltd wanted to resume using Kobelco machines after taking a three-year hiatus, opting to upgrade to the SK140SRLC-7 medium excavator

Jon is an excavator operator at Sceats Earthmovers Ltd owned by Ian and Rachel Sceats and plays a pivotal role in the company’s forestry machinery projects.

His familiarity with the SK135SR-3, a Kobelco excavator of similar size, was instrumental in the extensive use of diverse tasks, including detailed trimming and robust lifting operations, and over time, the excavator has evolved into an essential tool.

Jon’s SK140SRLC-7 features robust bolted-on front and top guards integrated into the counter

After a break of three years from Kobelco excavators, Jon seized the opportunity to return to the brand by upgrading to the SK140SRLC-7 medium excavator.

As part of a team of six dedicated to forestry projects, Jon navigated the steps to outfit the machine with vital roll-over protection and additional accessories, aligning it with
the requirements of their specialised forestry projects.

Currently on subdivision work with the SK140SRLC-7, Jon’s responsibilities extend beyond hillside operations and involve meticulous work to provide access, ensuring seamless transportation routes for hefty logs.

With an emphasis on safety, the 14-tonne digger now boasts robust bolted-on level four front and top guards, cleverly integrated into the counterweight.

The enhancements offer a heightened level of protection against potential hazards, such as tree falls or protruding limbs, particularly crucial when handling weighty logs.

An integral facet of Jon’s operational prowess lies in leveraging the versatility of excavator attachments. The thumb attachment has emerged as an invaluable asset, streamlining the process of moving cut logs, effectively optimising the workspace, and enhancing overall productivity.

Reflecting on past experiences with the SK135SR-3, Jon recalls lifting an imposing four-tonne log — a feat that left a lasting impression.

Transitioning to the SK140SRLC-7, he expresses admiration for the reinforced counterweight, appreciating its remarkable strength while maintaining a compact size and a notably short radius.

This characteristic allows for exceptional manoeuvrability along steep banks without wider cuts, a highly advantageous feature in constrained workspaces like roadsides.

The SK140SRLC-7 excavator’s agility serves lateral tracking even on steep one in three slopes. Its capacity to reach out at full boom capability with minimal ground clearance is a game-changer, granting Jon an advantage on confined sites.

Currently engaged in the excavation of two house lots, involving the removal of approximately 9000 cubic meters of soil from the ridge and skilfully adjusting the grade, Jon finds solace in the cabin’s efficient air conditioning and by tuning in to ‘The Sound’ radio station, providing a pleasant backdrop for focused productivity.

Notably, the Kobelco boasts improved fuel efficiency, consuming a remarkable four litres less per hour compared to its predecessor.

This enhanced efficiency is particularly evident when the excavator operates in heavy mode, however, still performs at the optimum rate on S mode, thanks to specific operability adjustments tailored to Jon’s unique operating style by Kobelco New Zealand’s technicians.

Jon’s experience with the Series 7 SK140SRLC demonstrates the harmonious collaboration between operator skill and state-of-the-art machinery in forestry endeavours.

His ability to utilise the excavator’s full potential, alongside its improved safety features and outstanding performance, highlights the crucial contribution of technology in enhancing both effectiveness and safety standards.

For more information, visit kobelco.co.nz.

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