Review of foreign-made backhoe loaders

Expert: Boris Evgenievich Kononov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

A universal modern piece of equipment is a backhoe loader. It is capable of digging holes and trenches, loading bulk materials onto dump trucks, removing waste from construction sites, actively participating in cleaning parks, streets, etc. Thanks to their versatility, hybrid machines attract the attention of individual entrepreneurs. The equipment is capable of moving independently on roads and feels confident off-road. One skilled operator can solve many problems in different areas of human life. Since the tasks assigned to the equipment are different, and the thickness of the wallet may vary, you cannot do without the help of experts when choosing a backhoe loader.

313D2L

Crawler excavators of this model have a useful power of 68 kW and a weight of 13.7 tons. They are distinguished by improved control, high versatility, have a comfortable modernized cabin and are easy to operate. This set of characteristics allowed the 313D2L excavators to become leaders in their class.

The machines are equipped with efficient, powerful Cat C4.4 engines, which, due to a mechanical governor, reduce fuel costs by 14% compared to similar models. At the same time, digging and lifting efforts remain at the same high level. The engine operates stably even when fueled with fuel of poor quality, which is due to low pressure in the fuel supply system. Users have access to a wide range of attachments, which allows them to adapt the excavator to perform various tasks.

With a Tver accent

At the TVEX plant, the serial production of the TX 270 and TX 300 crawler excavators was launched. During their creation, more than 1,400 design solutions were implemented aimed at improving productivity and increasing operator comfort. The machines have been tested and confirmed their readiness to work in difficult conditions, including the development of rocky and frozen soils of categories I–IV. Both excavators are equipped with modern YaMZ 530-series engines with a power of 147 kW and 190 kW with a liquid heater, Bosch-Rexroth hydraulic equipment and an intelligent control system with seven preset operating modes. The maximum breaking force of the machines is 180 and 200 kN. The comfortable and ergonomic cabin is equipped with a climate system, an ergonomic operator’s seat, and an LCD monitor for monitoring basic operating parameters as standard. For cooling, a single block of engine and hydraulic radiators with an adjustable fan is used. The production capacity of the TVEX plant allows the production of 315 units. crawler excavators per year.

Another manufacturer from Tver, EKSMASH JSC (UMG Group) , began producing mods this year. E280C with an operating weight of 27.7 tons. The excavator is equipped with an economical Russian Cummins KAMA QSB 6.7 engine with a power of 194 kW and a reinforced crawler undercarriage with the ability to install a track width of 600, 800 or 1000 mm, depending on operating conditions. The variable displacement hydraulic pump and LUDV main hydraulic valve allow the combination of three or more work cycle operations while maintaining the priority of the platform swing function. The maximum digging force is 183.8 kN. The workplace is equipped with an ergonomic seat and an LCD monitor that displays current data and information about faults. The basic equipment includes an air conditioning system, a hydraulic hammer control pedal, damped travel control pedals and a removable lower cover of the central well. Additionally, the machine can be equipped with an LED beam on the roof of the cab and a video surveillance system for the working area with a 360° view.

Hitachi excavator is also assembled in Tver. The new equipment is adapted for work in cold climates, as well as in the dark. For these purposes, excavators of this specification are provided with standard additional equipment: a coolant heater, a heater timer, and a protective cover for the running frame. For operator comfort and safety, a heated operator's seat and additional lights are installed on the cab roof and on the boom. Increasing the speed of work operations while reducing fuel consumption is achieved thanks to the proprietary HIOS III hydraulic system. The speed of arm movement has increased due to an increase in the flow of hydraulic oil in the arm circuit when the boom is lowered under its own weight. The soil cutting force of the bucket is 246 kN. Using a rotary switch and a 7-inch display, the operator monitors the hydraulic oil temperature and fuel level in the tank. In addition, he can choose from 11 operating modes, specify the timing of the next maintenance, and set the oil flow rate in the circuits for various working equipment. Through the Hitachi Global e-Service network, machine parameters can be remotely monitored while on the job site.

318D2L

The crawler excavator of this model has increased power to 84 kW. The operating weight has also increased (17.8 tons). The model also differs from its predecessors in improved handling and a high level of comfort, which makes it a universal and functional tool for performing diverse production, road and construction tasks.

The 318D2L excavators feature powerful electronically controlled Cat C4.4 ACERT drives and meet industry leading environmental standards in the US, Japan, China and the EU. Together with an efficient hydraulic system, these engines provide excellent performance with economical fuel consumption. High-strength load-bearing structures of the excavator can withstand significant operating loads, which allows the machine to be used in the most difficult conditions. The cab offers excellent visibility, helping to ensure a safe working environment on site.

Instead of an epilogue

It is better to purchase new backhoe loaders from trusted dealers, and used equipment from sellers with excellent recommendations on the secondary market. At the same time, it is better to use online platforms for purchasing in the case when you plan to purchase a batch of forklifts and in this case it is better to contact the manufacturer directly. If you purchase a used car, it is better to show it before registration to independent experts at a service station, where they can draw up a defect report (which indicates even the slightest scratch on the glass), which will reduce the cost of the backhoe loader. At the same time, it is worth noting that most online sites do not immediately offer the real price for the electronic device needed by the buyer, but will first offer to fill out an application for the necessary equipment for the machine.

M317D2

This is a wheeled excavator with a fairly high useful power - 102 kW. It also has a good speed of up to 37 km/h. Caterpillar has used a number of advanced developments to expand the functionality and provide superior technical performance of this series of excavators. Increased equipment lifting capacity helps reduce operating costs and increase productivity.

Also, the M317D2 machines have simplified controls and reduced cycle times, which allows for faster work completion. All daily maintenance points are easily accessible from ground level, making maintenance and repairs easier. All critical components are supplied with lubricant by a centralized system. The cabin is equipped with a rear view camera and a color display, which ensures safe operation of the excavator and ease of control.

What to look for when choosing a new forklift?

Despite the fact that it is always easier to buy new equipment, when choosing an electronic device there are a number of nuances that will not allow you to do this instantly. First, a person needs to take a closer look at the company, learn more about the brand, etc. Professionals often recommend following these steps:

• Find a good and trusted distributor located in a specific region. It is important to remember that the further away the supplier's office is located, the more difficult it will be to transport spare parts from the warehouse. This will result in increased downtime, which will negatively impact productivity. In cases where the official dealer is located in another region or does not have a basic spare parts base, it is not advisable to buy equipment from this organization. Of course, a person can purchase, but it is important to remember that transportation costs will be borne by the client, not the company.
• The second step is to collect information regarding the prices of spare parts and consumables that backhoe loaders always need. It is also important to decide where exactly a person will buy additional parts. Here it is necessary to remember the reliability of the seller and his competence, that is, it is desirable that he has the appropriate documentation that confirms the quality of the product. This is worth understanding, since counterfeit goods are often found on the market.
• Next, it is important for a person to decide on the model that he is going to constantly use. Most companies offer various versions of electronic signatures. Each of the presented backhoe loaders may have minor differences or be the complete opposite of the product.
• In addition, it is important to remember that there are several modifications for some models; they may differ in both wheel width and control method. It is important to approach this issue with caution. Because there is a possibility that a person may make a mistake when choosing and buy the wrong equipment.

The most popular criteria for choosing a new electronic signature are described above. Compliance with these aspects will allow you to choose a more reliable and high-quality option.

M320D2

This is a 124kW wheeled excavator that combines speed, versatility and productivity. It is capable of functioning on any surface, including various types of soil and road surfaces. Users have access to a wide range of attachments to solve various construction and production tasks. Operating the M320D2 machine is convenient and easy, as it is implemented using the ProductLinkTM system.

By reducing the duration of work cycles and increasing the forces on the handle and bucket, the productivity of the excavator was increased. All service points are accessible from the surface of the earth, which simplifies and speeds up the necessary repair or preventative operations. All important components are efficiently processed by a centralized lubricant supply system. The cabin is designed to provide maximum safety and comfort.

The main advantages of backhoe loaders

It is the scope of application of this special equipment that determines its advantages and disadvantages. In city conditions, excavators are mainly used for landscaping and maintaining street infrastructure, which bulky and powerful industrial equipment often cannot do (there is simply nowhere for it to turn). A small excavator is capable of digging a trench of the required depth to repair the water supply system, and at the same time work as a pipe layer, since its bucket can be used as a pipe grabber. If you equip the machine with a hydraulic hammer, you can carefully hollow out a small section of the sidewalk (without touching the curbs), and after the work, carefully bury it and level it. In winter, the machine will be indispensable for snow removal work.

Nevertheless, experts note three positive advantages of backhoe loaders over heavy equipment - they can be called “THREE “M””:

• Mobility;
• Multifunctionality;
• Maneuverability.

Among other things, the fuel consumption of this type of special equipment is significantly less than that of their heavy counterparts. And as an example of savings in terms of using the services of an excavator, the following figures can be cited: one hour of operation of a nimble loader for snow removal will cost on average 1,300 rubles in the capital, while its heavy relative Komatsu PC 200 will already cost 2,000-2,500 rubles .

Purchasing used models

If the acquisition of new equipment is quite simple, the main thing is to take care of finding a reliable supplier, then used equipment will require a more thorough study of the issue.

Basic principles for purchasing new backhoe loaders:

• Reliability and proximity of the supplier;
• Availability of consumables and spare parts in its warehouses;
• Availability of good repair infrastructure at the supplier.

If you decide to purchase equipment with an accumulated resource, then in addition to the scope of work for which it is purchased, you need to decide on the following questions:

• The backhoe loader is not supposed to be constantly loaded with intensive work - in this case, there will be no costs for initial preparation, however, the payback time may be reduced;
• The backhoe loader is supposed to be used regularly and intensively - in this case, preliminary preparation of the machine after purchase will be required.

Speaking of the latter case, it is possible to give the following example: an average Komatsu unit in used condition can cost about 3,000,000 rubles. Its initial preparation may take up to half of this amount, however, in the future it may require less attention to maintenance than a new model, thus it may pay off even earlier.

Determining the cost of a high-quality backhoe loader

The main factor influencing pricing for the equipment in question will be the ratio of its capabilities to the quality characteristics of the manufacturer. Here, the Russian buyer often experiences an old stereotype that has taken root in relation to Chinese manufacturers.

Currently, Chinese models of mobile excavators cannot be called extremely bad. Indeed, their prices are somewhat lower than those of Western competitors, but before Chinese equipment enters the Russian market, the latter undergoes fairly strict quality control, especially since these machines are not only a complex technical product, but also a source of increased danger.

In general, it is possible to identify several parameters that will affect the price:

• Breadth of functionality;
• Ability to work in extreme conditions (for example, low/high ambient temperatures);
• Availability of innovative technologies used in the design (for example, hydraulic booster of the bucket boom);
• The popularity of the model itself.

As a rule, new models of such machines are purchased by large enterprises immediately in batches, which leads to the addition of another pricing factor - the choice of a reliable selling partner. Such transactions always take place in the form of tenders, regardless of whether the buyer is a state-owned company or a private one. Thus, whichever seller offers the best price/quality ratio will receive the status of supplier. For the segment of private owners, this issue is more complicated - they have to monitor prices themselves.