Doosan releases two new heavy excavators for the Middle East and Africa

Doosan Construction Equipment has launched two new heavy crawler excavators designed for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets – the 48 tonne DX480LCA and the 51 tonne DX520LCA.

The new releases are the latest new machines in Doosan's roll-out of the LCA generation crawler excavators for the MEA region, replacing the SOLAR range. It follows on from the DX225LCA, DX300LCA and DX340LCA models released last year, while further LCA can be expected later this year. The range will be completed by late 2013.

Doosan has high hopes for the machines, saying that they are designed to be leaders in their respective weight classes. The DX480LCA combines power with extra reach and stability, allowing it to accomplish long cycles and heavy pulling work.

The DX520LCA model offers exceptional stability and lifting capabilities. A mass excavation machine, it has been fitted with an extra heavy counterweight and a short front end to deliver more breakout force for tough digging jobs.

As an option, the DX520LCA excavator is available in a super long reach version (SLR) offering a reach of almost 20m, for work such as excavating lakes or for special levelling work.

Both of the excavators are powered by a Doosan DE12TIS 6-cylinder air to air intercooler Tier II compliant diesel engine with a displacement of 11 litres, developing 238 kW (318 HP) of power at 2000 RPM using a mechanical injection system.

Bucket and dipper stick breakout forces have also increased, together with a significant increase in the hydraulic flow from the pumps to 2 x 360 l/min.

The operating weight of the new DX480LCA excavator varies from 48.4 to 50.2 tonne, depending on the configuration while that for the DX520LCA varies from 51.1 to 52.9 tonne.

According to Doosan, "all the LCA new generation machines share a common design particularly suited to the specific needs of the Middle East and African markets, combining high robustness with a number of important new functionalities and technical improvements."

These include: Tier II engines with reduced fuel consumption and emissions; a brand new fully-featured, ergonomically designed cab providing top-class comfort and excellent all-round visibility for the operator; and limited electronics and easy accessibility for repair and maintenance work.