Spillard News

To maintain operational stability when using such a long and weighty telescopic demolition boom, Kocurek has had to carry out extensive modifications to the crawler base of the WX1200. The challenge was to ensure that the machine could offer a full 360 degrees working envelope when carrying the 2.5 tonne shear at a working radius of up to 25.0m.

To retain maximum mobility without the need for outriggers on the track frames, the firm has dramatically extended the EX1200’s undercarriage. “Lengthening each track frame was straightforward,” says David Kocurek. “We put an additional 1.2m onto each side by adding one top and two bottom rollers together with extra track links.”

Getting a wider footprint was more challenging. “We developed an hydraulically adjustable undercarriage – similar to the system used on mini excavators – to give up to 900mm of additional width on each side,” he says. “This way,  we can keep the machine quite narrow for transport, then make it wider and stable for high-reach demolition.”

The extra track length also contributes to machine stability when lifting the demolition boom off its cradle. And Kocurek has ensured the EX1200 can make a straight lift, raising the whole boom assembly from the horizontal position without any external assistance.
 “We had to put a third lift ram onto the excavator’s boom root section to provide additional lifting power,” he adds. “But even with a boom weighing 27 tonnes. The EX1200 can lift it on fast idle.”
 With three hydraulic systems delivering about 1500 litres of oil flow, the EX1200 only needs to gather up full hydraulic capacity when installing itself and the boom on site. Once raised into position, only 250 litres are needed to power the attachment.
 “We’ve diverted flow away when it’s not needed and this is managed by three of our own on-board computers which work alongside Hitachi’s electronics,” says the inventive David Kocurek. “These provide diagnostic, monitoring and flow control functions. And in-cab control allows the operator to swap between demolition and mass excavation when at the controls although visibility is enhanced by three cameras, and two in-cab colour monitors. One monitor displays images from the end of the boom showing the work tool, while the other alternates between images from a rear-view camera on the counterweight and from the third camera located on the right hand side of the machine.

Even the excavator cab has been fully rebuilt. Extra space was needed for Kocurek to install its own electronic and hydraulic components to run alongside the factory fitted equipment.
 The extensive cab conversion provides five- layer laminated glass for the roof and front windscreen, with a butt-joint used between panes to provide pillar less vision through the top of the cab. However, demolition guards are still in place.

He cab is fixed but the seat has gained its own tilting mechanism. Thus the operator can recline back into a comfortable working position so as t avoid neck injury from constantly looking upwards.
 “We’ve worked closely throughout this project with the support of Hitachi and dealer HM Plant says David Kocurek. “And as a recognised conversion, we are proud to say that any warranty issues will not be swept under the carpet by any of the parties involved.”
 Dust suppression has been catered for. Using an hydraulically driven power washer pump, the machine has the ability to deliver up to 17 litres/min at the shear, when connected to a mains water supply. In addition, the system comes with its own auxiliary hose and lance, allowing the excavator operator to hose down the machine when necessary.