Kobelco Introduces the SK380SRLC-7, the Heaviest Short Radius Excavator Available
27 March 2024 – Kobelco Construction Machinery Australia is pleased to announce the arrival of the SK380SRLC-7. This new model follows Kobelco’s Performance x Design concept and offers powerful performance and productivity, precise controllability and excellent stability and lifting. The new model is Kobelco’s heaviest and most capable short radius excavator to date, providing large conventional capability in a compact design.
Short Radius machines are ideal for operators working on urban and residential jobsites and are increasingly popular due to ongoing requirements for roadworks and utility maintenance. Kobelco is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of its popular SK380SRLC, now available as part of its Series 7 range, with notable improvements including an all-new modern operator station and a 5% increase in engine output compared to the outgoing model.
Kobelco first introduced the Short Radius (SR) concept in 1996 and now has the largest SR range on the market. SR machines benefit from a smaller working footprint, which means that they can access tighter working areas. The SK380SRLC-7 confidently takes on heavy-duty tasks up-close with only 305 mm of tail overhang. Operating safely in a single road lane, it’s perfect for highway projects and applications requiring a larger machine in a restricted work area.
The SK380SRLC-7 is equipped with a powerful Isuzu Tier IV Final compliant engine, which provides 210 kW output and 6% higher torque than previous models for a more efficient performance, all while minimising fuel consumption. In addition, the modern engine has the simplicity of no DPF to service, reducing operating costs and increasing convenience.
With a base operating weight of 37 tonnes, the new SK380SRLC-7 provides extremely precise operation through excellent controllability and smooth hydraulics. A longer undercarriage also ensures excellent stability, even when lifting heavy loads. The combination of high hydraulic pressure and balanced chassis layout delivers exceptional lifting capacity, which is ideal for heavier tools and attachments. When extra lift capacity is required, a heavy lift mode can be activated, while power boost mode provides an instant 10% power increase for enhanced digging capability with no time restrictions, delivering an impressive 208 kN bucket digging force and 139 kN arm crowding force.
Independent travel, a unique feature of Kobelco, ensures a steady and consistent travel speed even during swinging and lifting operations, and when using the front attachment. With independent travel, transporting a large pipe across a worksite is effortless and safe. With impressive digging depths of 6.9 m, class leading swing torque and swift swing speeds, the SK380SRLC-7 ensures short cycle times, boosting productivity. The bucket cylinder has been reinforced and the rod side pin diameter has been increased from 80 to 95 mm, adding to the machine’s controllability.
As part of Kobelco’s Performance x Design concept, the SK380SRLC-7 also benefits from an enhanced cabin design, ergonomics, and safety features. The Kobelco-branded Grammer heated and air-cushioned suspension seat moves together with the armrests and hydraulic controls, reducing operator fatigue and providing excellent shock absorption and superior ride comfort.
The spacious cabin is equipped with a standard 12V charging receptacle alongside an audio auxiliary jack, while the standard Bluetooth integrated stereo system allows the operator to stream audio. In addition, the LED back-lit jog-type dial controls multiple functions on the 10-inch colour screen, including operating history, maintenance cycle, fuel consumption, and water temperature gauges as well as hydraulic oil flow and pressure adjustment. The exclusive Kobelco intelligent total control system (ITCS) allows for pre-setting of attachment work modes from the cabin, with pre-sets to select multiple saved tools, and operability adjustment that automatically provides optimal controllability for the specific attachment type in use. To improve visibility on the jobsite, particularly when operating at night, the SK380SRLC-7 has also been equipped with two bright LED work lights.
Commenting on the introduction of the SK380SRLC-7, Kobelco Australia’s General Manager of Product & Distribution, Mark Johnson, said: “Increased requirements for urban infrastructure, utilities and roadbuilding means an increased demand for compact machinery. The SK380SR provides the same powerful performance and lifting capacity as our large conventional machines, but with a smaller working footprint. The newly redesigned Series 7 cabin is also something that operators will certainly appreciate.”
Like all Kobelco heavy excavators in Australia and New Zealand, the SK380SRLC comes standard with a 2-year/3,000-hour full machine warranty and a 4-year/6,000-hour major component extended warranty, backed by Kobelco’s extensive parts network, providing total peace of mind for owners. All Kobelco heavy excavators also benefit from Kobelco’s GEOSCAN telematics system, provided free of charge to allow for remote access to a comprehensive set of machine operational and maintenance data from any web enabled device.
