Columbus Equipment Co. held an open house to showcase its new Komatsu. During the event, area contractors were able to get behind the controls of the PC200LC-8 hybrid excavator.

According to Jeff Richards, marketing manager of Columbus Equipment, the event provided attendees with the opportunity to inspect and operate the recently introduced “green” Komatsu PC200LC-8 hybrid and to learn more about the technology behind this excavator, which is to greatly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The excavator reports an average fuel consumption as low as 1.7 gal. per hour. (6.4 L), according to Komatsu.

The PC200LC-8 hybrid excavator showcased at Columbus Equipment’s open house is among several currently touring the United States for field trials. John R. Jurgensen Companies, based in Cincinnati, recently completed its initial testing trial in Ohio. R.B. Jergens of Vandalia, Ohio, will also field-test the hybrid excavator for a few weeks in the Dayton area. Then, the PC200LC-8 will head to Kokosing Construction Company of Fredericktown, Ohio.

Dick Brannigan, equipment operations manager of John R. Jurgensen Companies said, “The machine was excellent … we fell in love with it,” and added that he and his company were impressed with the excavator’s swing acceleration.

“It swings much faster than you would expect. As far as the fuel consumption, Komatsu certainly delivered on their promise,” he said.

Brannigan also said that the PC200LC-8 hybrid excavator was just as powerful as similar-sized excavators and the dig circuit was as responsive with “maybe more power.”

“We had four operators test it and within a day and a half, they were completely comfortable with it,” he said.

And for those who worked up an appetite testing out the new Komatsu hybrid excavator, Columbus Equipment treated its guests to a barbecue lunch.

Columbus Equipment Co. is the Komatsu dealer for Ohio with nine locations throughout the state, including its Huber Heights branch and its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.