Combining compact design with impressive versatility and stability, the Mecalac MWR range of wheeled excavators make them ideal for urban construction sites and tight workspaces.
The most important features of wheeled excavators in helping them perform efficiently are their stability, manoeuvrability and accessibility.
They are characteristics recognised by innovative and compact construction equipment builder Mecalac, whose wheeled excavator range incorporate designs which address those three key issues.
As Mecalac director Phil Shepley tells Earthmoving Equipment Magazine, the business was able to identify areas for improvement for wheeled excavators after observing its customers work on construction sites.
“The very architecture of this type of vehicle, connected to an oscillating axle under the undercarriage and an upper carriage, gives it an intrinsically higher centre of gravity,” he said.
“This results in a lack of stability which leads to discomfort and insecurity.”
Mecalac’s MWR range counters these problems with clever reconfigurations of the way excavators are built.
- Stability
“Lowering the centre of gravity has proved to be the key in maintaining balance,” Phil said.
“This is achieved by lowering the top of the machine to be BETWEEN the wheels, rather than on top of them like conventional wheeled excavations.
“All the components in the upper carriage have been lowered as much as possible, and the shapes of the upper carriage and undercarriage have been completely redesigned around the oscillation of the wheels.
“With this, a new standard of lifting stability and performance has been born.
“As well, the unique Mecalac boom — which unlike a standard mini excavator is always in front of the machine — retracts back next to the cab.
“This significantly increases balance with heavy work, as 75 per cent of the boom can become additional counterweight and improves lifting and balance, rather than reducing it.”
- Manoeuvrability
The MWR design allows large diameter wheels to be fitted without increasing the centre of gravity, with large floatation tires as standard (or optional twin tires),” Phil said.
“The MWR provides a significant boost in off-road performance and ground clearance compared to a conventional wheeled excavator.”
Four-wheel steering is standard on all MWR models in Australia, cutting the turning circle by half.
The operator can also use the machine with crab steering or two-wheel steering, selectable from a single switch.
- Accessibility
Mecalac knows full well that there are many different maintenance operations that the driver must carry out.
“The engine and hydraulic pumps, which have been lowered as much as possible in line with the new architecture, are now accessible from the ground without the operator having to climb into the machine and putting himself or the technician at risk,” Phil said.
The height drivers must climb to access the driver’s compartment in the MWR machines has also been reduced.
The two handrails, left and right, can be gripped without drivers needing to twist their arms or wrists.
“Climbing down has also been designed ergonomically, as the feet fall naturally into position on the steps, with no risk of slipping,” Phil said.
“All problems linked to driver’s compartment access, such as falls, fractures, and muscle problems, are significantly reduced by this new architecture designed specifically to ensure the comfort and safety of users.”
The machines also take into account the daily need for drivers to fill the diesel tank.
“Thanks to a new swivel joint which is essential to maintaining full rotation, the
tank, traditionally positioned on the upper carriage, has been integrated into the lower undercarriage, between the wheels,” Phil said.
“At shoulder-height, using the filling system is simple, quick and safe.”
Features
The MWR range is fitted in Australia with many options other machines require fitting aftermarket, meaning the machine is ready to work on and off-road straight away.
“The previously mentioned four-wheel steering, as well as a front blade with a tow hitch and trailer lighting plug, are fitted on all machines, while rear stabilisers are installed on all models apart from the 7MWR, which doesn’t require the additional stability,” Phil said.
“Anti-drop valves are fitted on all booms and an additional anti-drop valve is also fitted on the bucket cylinder for safer use with pallet forks.
“Other features include high flow aux main circuit, secondary aux circuit, case drain line, side and rear-view cameras, pneumatic air suspension seat, additional work lights, large floatation tires (or twin tires as option), three-piece boom and more.”
Sales and support
Mecalac has sold and supported the MWR line for over five years in Australia now, with the 7t,9t,11t and 15t models available.
The MWRs can be supplied with or without a tiltrotator and a wide range of genuine and aftermarket attachments pre-installed, making purchasing a new wheeled excavator a simple one-step process.
Mecalac Australia has two branches — in Victoria and Western Australia — and services machines with a factory-trained support network with more than 20 locations Australia-wide.
For more information on the MWR wheeled excavators, contact the Mecalac Australia team on 1300 MECALAC or Sales@Mecalac.com.au.