Combining the availability of its industry-leading rope shovels with the mobility and flexibility of a hybrid excavator, Joy Global officially launched its new P&H 2650CX hybrid shovel last week at MINExpo. The concept for this first-of-its kind machine was introduced at MINExpo 2012 as an alternative to 550-700 t hydraulic excavators that will reduce total cost of ownership by 10-15%, Joy Global says. This cost advantage is comprised of:

·                     Up to a 25% reduction in fuel consumption

·                     5-10% reduction in maintenance and repair costs

·                     1-3% increase in availability

These savings are enabled in large part by the JOY SR Hybrid Drive system, which was transitioned to the design of the 2650CX from P&H Generation 2 wheel loaders. Switched reluctance (SR) technology captures the energy naturally regenerated in swing deceleration and hoist lowering. The low maintenance SR motors act like generators to capture and distribute energy back into the systems powering the machine’s main motions, which reduces the use of hydraulics and significantly decreases diesel fuel consumption.  

Robust structures and the twin handle, rack and pinion crowd system proven on P&H shovels have been leveraged to increase reliability. The hydraulically articulated clamshell bucket allows the machine to dig in low benches and to increase breakout forces throughout the bank. Its payload capacity of 59t enables a four-pass match to 220 t haul trucks and will accommodate trucks ranging from 135 to 360t. 

The pilot machine is currently working in a production environment at ASARCO Mission Mine, a copper application in Arizona.