Summary
Every excavator has a serial number, just like our ID number. On the excavator model, such as DH215LC-7, ordinary people can’t understand the series of numbers + letters + symbols, but professional people can quickly tell the tonnage, applicable working conditions, etc. of the excavator based on this model. Generation, style and other information. This model contains a lot of information. For excavator buyers, being able to read these models can make it easier to choose the excavator they need in the ocean of excavators.
Excavator model decomposition
Excavator models can be roughly divided into three parts, excavator code (number or letter) + tonnage code (number) + series code (number), such as Caterpillar 320D, Komatsu PC200-8, Hitachi ZX200-3 , Doosan DH215LC-7 these models can be decomposed as follows:
320D decomposition: 3+20+D
PC200-8 decomposition: PC+200+8
ZX200-3 decomposition: ZX+200+3
DH215LC-7 decomposition: DH+(215+LC)+7
We can see that Doosan’s model is broken down into four parts. This is because these two excavators also contain special codes.
Let’s first talk about the meaning of the three basic parts of the excavator model.
Determine machine type
3. PC, ZX, DH
This is the first part of the excavator model number, indicating that these machines are excavators.
There are many kinds of construction machinery developed and produced by Caterpillar Group. Different machines need to be distinguished by different numbers. For example, "1" means grader, "7" means articulated truck, "8" means bulldozer, " 9" means loader, etc., and "3" means excavator in Caterpillar.
Know the tonnage of your excavator
20, 200, 200, 215
The second part of the excavator model, that is, these numbers indicate the tonnage of the excavator. For example, Caterpillar's 20, Komatsu's 200, and Hitachi's 200 all indicate that the excavator weighs 20 tons, while Doosan's 215 means that the excavator weighs 21.5 tons.
As long as you follow this analogy, you can see the tonnage of the excavator from the model, and you can also understand the size of the excavation.
Series and version number
D.8.3.7
Next comes the third part of the excavator model, which is these letters and numbers.
The letters and numbers have different meanings. Carter's D indicates that the excavator is a Caterpillar D series product, while Komatsu's 8, Hitachi's 3, and Doosan's 7 indicate that these excavators are the eighth, third, and third generations of this model. The seventh generation product shows the number of upgrades and innovations of this excavator.
Here is a reminder. At present, most domestic excavator brands also like to add a generation code to the model. However, the development history of domestic excavator manufacturers is very short, which is more than ten years. The number of upgrades and innovations in models has been Not many. If domestic brand excavators appear -7 or -8, such numbers are actually meaningless.
Special codes in excavator models
Letter L
Many excavator models have the word "L" in them. This "L" refers to the "extended crawler track". The extended crawler track can increase the contact area between the crawler track and the ground and reduce the pressure of the excavator on the ground. This kind of excavator is more suitable for working conditions with soft construction ground.
Letter LC
LC is the more common symbol on excavators. All brands have "LC" style excavators, such as Komatsu PC200LC-8, Doosan DX300LC-7, Yuchai YC230LC-8, Kobelco SK350LC-8, etc. The "LC" here means that this model adopts widened and lengthened crawler tracks. The purpose is also to increase the contact area with the ground. It is generally used in working conditions with soft construction ground.
Letter H
Among the excavator models of Hitachi Construction Machinery, you can often see signs similar to "ZX360H-3". The "H" here means heavy-duty type, which is generally used in mining conditions. Among Hitachi Construction Machinery's products, the "H" type uses a slewing platform and lower traveling body with increased strength, and is equipped with a rock bucket and front-end working device as standard.
Letter K
The letter "K" also appears in Hitachi Construction Machinery's excavator product models, such as "ZX210K-3" and "ZX330K-3". The "K" here represents the demolition type. The K-type excavator is equipped with a helmet and front protection device. It prevents falling debris from falling into the cab, and is equipped with lower running protection to prevent metal from entering the track.
Letter W
The "W" stands for wheeled excavator. For example, Doosan 150W represents Doosan’s wheeled excavator.
Letter US
"US" indicates that it is a tail-cut excavator, such as Hitachi's ZX225US.
Letter ME
"ME" indicates that the excavator is a large-capacity excavator with a shorter arm and an increased bucket capacity, such as Carter's 324ME.
Letters GC
The "GC" after 320DGC is the abbreviation of general construction in English, which means ordinary construction. The main differences between 320DGC and 320D are reflected in the power and thickness of the large and small arm steel plates.
As long as the material density ratio does not exceed 1500, the 320DGC is competent in working environments, including earthworks, river dam sand and gravel quarrying (the density ratio cannot be too high), highway construction, and general railway construction.
Letters HEV
Hybrid Electrical Vehicle (HEV for short) refers to a machine equipped with two power sources at the same time - thermal power source (generated by a traditional gasoline engine or diesel engine) and electric power source (battery and electric motor). The Komatsu PC200 has this type of product.
Article summary
Understanding the excavator's serial number can help us understand the excavator more quickly, which is very helpful for us to use and choose the excavator. The serial number of the excavator can also reflect the performance of the excavator well.
FAQ
1.What does the excavator's special code say?
The special codes in the excavator model are mainly to describe some features of this excavator. For example, the "LC" in DH+(215+LC)+7 means extended crawler tracks. There are many such codes.
2.Is it okay to just refer to the excavator’s serial number before purchasing it?
It's best not to, the serial number can only be used as a reference, it cannot represent everything. Factors such as working environment, temperature, climate, etc. should also be taken into consideration, and it will also determine which excavator you should choose.
If you are interested in excavators or have questions about excavator parts, you can contact us and we will provide you with professional answers.
Related reading:
Excavator History: The Industrial Revolution Through the Centuries