Tag Archives: Hyundai Construction Equipment

Hyundai Construction Equipment to enter the ADT market with 30- and 45-t models

Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) is set to display 23 machines at bauma 2022 in Munich, in October, with some of the key highlights being a new ADT and a concept hydrogen vehicle.

The company’s stand is 30% larger than in previous years, representing the ongoing growth journey it is on.

HCE’s stand will reveal Hyundai’s position as a technology leader, with a clear roadmap to a cleaner, safer and more productive construction site, whatever the industry sector, it said.

The entry of the company into the articulated dump truck (ADT) market involves the launch of two models, using proven, innovative design and technology to deliver high productivity and superior mobility on site, the company says.

Aimed at the 30-t and 45-t sectors, the HA30A and HA45A are built around a full-time six-wheel drive concept, with front and rear limited slip differentials and a longitudinal differential than can be manually locked, for maximum drive and traction on difficult terrain.

The two ADTs are the first visible sign of the new cooperation between Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) and Hyundai Doosan Infracore (HDI), since the purchase of the Doosan business last year by Hyundai Heavy Industries Group.

The HW155H concept wheeled excavator, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, meanwhile, features a 14-t payload that can offer eight hours of operation with a 20-minute refuelling time, according to the company. It is based on proven hydrogen commercial vehicle technology, according to the company, with the only emission from the machine being water.

The trucks have a compact chassis design to aid manoeuvrability, with a sloping rear frame and a front-mounted differential integrated into the ZF transmission, allowing for a shorter front frame section.

This, the company says, results in the smallest turning radius in the sector and outstanding stability.

Self-levelling hydro-gas suspension on the front axle further supports a comfortable ride, delivering maximum tractability in tough ground conditions, it said. The turning ring is mounted in front of the chassis articulation point, resulting in an equal weight distribution to the front wheels in all driving situations for increased stability and traction.

Having equal weight distribution allows the operator to use the limited slip differentials with just a 45° locking value, maintaining drive to both front wheels even when steering. The two rear axles employ a tandem bogie drive design, with a single central differential and twin internal gear drives on each side of the truck. These tandem reduction gearboxes rotate in total by almost 40°, allowing maximum oscillation of the rear axles to maintain ground contact on rough terrain, the company said. The single central differential increases ground clearance beneath the truck.

The HA30A and HA45A are equipped with a full hydraulic retarder, combined with an electronic engine brake as standard. This supports the oil-cooled wet disc brakes to achieve an extended service lifetime of up to 15,000 hours. A hydraulically-activated mechanical parking brake, meanwhile, holds the machine when stationary.

The trucks are supplied with a gradient meter, with flip-over protection and a Body Over Centre of Gravity function, to assist drivers when tipping and operating on rough terrain. The sloping rear chassis section evenly spreads the load between the front and rear axles.

The HA30A has a 16.8 cu.m heaped body capacity that rises to 17.8 cu.m with a tailgate fitted. The larger HA45A offers a 24.4 cu.m heaped capacity, rising to 26 cu.m with a tailgate.

Both dump bodies can be optionally heated by the engine exhaust gases to prevent freezing and sticking of materials when operating in colder temperatures. Internal wear plates are available as an option for hard rock use.

Hyundai has employed powerful EU Stage V-compliant Scania diesel engines to power both trucks. The HA30A uses a five-cylinder, 9.3-litre, DC9 turbocharged diesel, developing 276 kW and 1,876 Nm of torque. The larger HA45A employs a six-cylinder, 12.7-litre DC13 diesel engine, producing a maximum 368 kW and 2,476 Nm of torque. Both engines drive through eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions, with integrated retarders.

The torque converter has lock-up in all gears, reducing fuel consumption and increasing efficiency. Fuel, AdBlue diesel engine exhaust fluid and a standard auto-lube greasing system can all be easily accessed from ground level, for improved site safety. The engine canopy tilts forward for access to filters and fill points, while the complete cab structure can also be tilted towards the rear of the truck to provide access for repair and maintenance.

Hyundai’s Himate telematic monitoring system is standard, with satellite and GSM connectivity, to reach the most inaccessible construction and mining sites across the world. This allows customers to remotely monitor productivity, fuel consumption, system warning and maintenance status, reducing unplanned downtime and improving fleet utilisation.

With the most spacious ROPS/FOPS cab on the market, the Hyundai ADT features an ergonomic layout to the controls, which are easily reached from the high-quality air-suspended operator’s seat.

There is plenty of storage around the cab interior, with room for an optional cool/hot box and 12 V power sockets for operator phones and other accessories. Full cab climate control is standard on both models and the cab boasts an internal sound level of just 72 dB(A) for maximum comfort throughout the working day, the company says.

The sloping bonnet provides an excellent view to the front of the truck and there are sliding side windows with hand rails to the side of the seat. A comprehensive monitor panel provides an integrated payload meter, to prevent overloading and to record productivity. Diagnostic functions are included within the monitoring system and the operator can remotely check hydraulic and transmission oil levels from the cab.

A gradient metre ensures that the truck is driven safely within its limits, while an integrated rear-view camera and large mirrors provide excellent all-round visibility, when reversing under an excavator or into the tipping area, the company claims.

The Hyundai HA30A and HA45A articulated dump trucks provide an ideal excavating partner for a wide range of crawler excavators and wheeled loading shovels, according to the company. Designed primarily for major earthmoving and muck shifting projects, highways construction and mine and quarry operations, Hyundai’s articulated haulers provide maximum drive and traction in the worst site conditions, maintaining all-year round productivity for the customer, it says.

Hyundai CE bolsters Ulsan plant to support electric-, hydrogen-powered equipment plan

Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) says it is investing €150 million ($170m) in its Ulsan production plant in South Korea, increasing capacity by 50%, in a process that will support Hyundai’s growing presence in the global construction equipment market, while providing a manufacturing base for a new generation of electric- and hydrogen-powered equipment.

The investment, to be delivered over the next four years, will increase production at the plant by 4,800 units a year, bringing annual capacity to 15,000 excavators, wheel loaders and other construction models.

The company will merge the production and assembly functions currently in Factory 1 and Factory 2, into a single facility, simplifying the flow of processes and increasing savings by maximising efficiency. This will reduce the working hours involved in machine production and cut logistics costs throughout the supply chain, the company says. The move will also reflect HCE’s environmental, social and governance factors, using eco-friendly sub-materials when conducting interior and exterior finish work.

HCE said: “The company is increasing its market share in every region of the business, by responding to current market trends in the global construction equipment market and by looking ahead to the customer requirements of tomorrow’s infrastructure and construction projects. The company is also planning to benefit from the recent US launch of the ‘Build Back Better World (B3W)’ initiative for developing countries.”

HCE announced in 2020 that it planned to bring to market a range of excavators powered by hydrogen fuel cells, produced in cooperation with Hyundai Motors, which has its largest automotive plant in Ulsan. The company has already unveiled a range of hydrogen-powered industrial forklifts that are due to launch in 2023, as it continues to develop the low and zero-carbon emissions equipment that will be demanded by the customer of the future.

HCE CEO, Mr Choi Cheol-gon, said: “Strengthening the competitiveness of the Ulsan factory is the first challenge that needs to be addressed to reach the global top five, the goal of the construction equipment division of the Hyundai Heavy Industries group. With this investment, we will further raise our brand competitiveness by producing and delivering construction equipment with increased efficiency.”

In November 2020, HCE completed the construction of a technology innovation centre, investing €57.4 million. The new centre includes 16 laboratories, employing more than 100 researchers. It is involved in research and development projects focused on eco-friendly technologies, high efficiency and noise reduction technologies and a virtual verification system. The site also performs quality research and verification of components and completed equipment.