It will be a little like phones used to be – where you could slide the battery out to replace with a different one in seconds. Not yet ready for Europe, Komatu’s PC01E-1 micro excavator is launching the machine, developed jointly with Honda as a rental model.
Komatsu and Honda have developed the PC01E-1 by successfully electrifying the PC01 conventional micro excavator through the incorporation of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:* and Honda eGX electrified power unit.
The conventional model is typically used very close to people, trees and flowers for pipe-laying work, gardening, agriculture, livestock and the like. As a result of electrification, the PC01E-1 model not only reduces noise and exhaust heat substantially, but also enables eco-friendly, comfortable work in either indoor or outdoor environments, thanks to no exhaust gas. As the batteries are swappable, customers can continue work simply by exchanging them. As its new electric motor offers high performance even in low revolutions, the PC01E-1 model achieves more excavation than the conventional model in low revolutions. As there is no engine installed, customers will no longer need engine-related maintenance or fueling, dynamically reducing daily inspection and maintenance work for them.
Customer Feedback
Customers, who tried the PC01E-1 model at their jobsites for our PoC test, have voiced their high evaluation, such as easy exchange of the batteries, convenient charging with 100V household electricity, and practical benefits of no fueling. They have also given high marks on work performance, stating, “I feel the new model is more powerful than the conventional one.” By initially promoting the rental use of the new model by as many customers as possible, Komatsu hopes that customers will actually experience and appreciate its work performance, safety, environmental friendliness, and convenient use in order to further penetrate the market.
Main features of the product
Powerful electric motor
No exhaust gas and no engine noise because it is battery powered. Thanks to its electric motor, which is capable of high performance, even in low revolutions, it enables stable, powerful work regardless of motor revolutions, offering more power output than conventional models in low revolutions.
Portable and swappable Honda Mobile Power Pack e:
Easy exchange and charging of the swappable batteries by anyone. Customers can continue work by exchanging the batteries, which eliminates waiting time for charging. Charging is also easy and convenient because its exclusive charger connects to the 100V household power supply source.
New control panel
The new, exclusive, simple, stylish control panel displays the battery charge level in big letters in the centre of the monitor screen.
Easy maintenance
All engine-related maintenance work is no longer necessary, such as filter cleaning and fueling. Greasing is not necessary because oil-free bushings are used in its work equipment like in the conventional model. Daily inspection and maintenance work is substantially reduced.
Inheritance of compact body size
The battery box is installed in the rear of the equipment, inheriting the compact size of the current model of 580 mm width. It weighs 340 kg, lower than the max load capacity (350 kg) of Japanese mini trucks.