WHAT’S NEW Hydraulic excavator

Hitachi Construction Machinery of Toronto has launched a new hydraulic excavator, the ex1800, equipped with a 10.3-cu-m bucket. Based on the design of the uh801, the new unit is powered by a 686-kw engine and uses newly designed electronics and hydraulic systems, including: * a computer-aided engine/pump control system for maximum productivity and fuel savings;

* an optimum hydraulic system that allows both independent and combined operations of all functions;

* a fuel-saving pump system that minimizes energy losses and provides fine control;

* an auto-idling system to save fuel;

* a relief-oil-minimizing system that reduces oil discharge, and therefore energy loss, during the digging operation; and

* an advanced monitoring/alarm system that indicates the status of various machine functions.