From Zero to Seven (Years) With 12 Mini-Excavators

Dec. 1, 2000
IHI/Compact Excavator Sales is not an old com-pany by any means. But seven years after its birth, the firm now offers 12 mini-excavators, its latest and

IHI/Compact Excavator Sales is not an old com-pany by any means. But seven years after its birth, the firm now offers 12 mini-excavators, its latest and largest - the 80NX - an 18,000-pound machine.

"We started out with five mini-excavators, then we moved to 10 and now 12," marketing manager Jenny Aldridge said. "(The 80NX) is something we felt there was a market for."

The zero-tail-swing unit comes standard with an additional 900-pound counterweight for added stability. It has a standard digging depth of 14 feet, 1 inch and an independent boom swing that extends 90 degrees to the left and 50 degrees to the right for improved maneuverability in all working conditions. It has a maximum digging force of 14,735 pounds.

The 80NX has a maximum digging height of 22 feet, 3 inches, a maximum dumping height of 15 feet, 9 inches, a maximum vertical digging depth of 10 feet, 10 inches and a maximum front turning radius of 7 feet, 10 inches.

Other standard features include a backfill blade, an enclosed air-conditioned and heated cabin, rubber tracks, an A-F quick control change valve and auxiliary hydraulic piping. The 80NX is powered by a 57-horsepower Isuzu water-cooled diesel engine. Fuel tank capacity is 18.5 gallons.

Optional features include steel tracks, a hydraulic swivel bucket and a range of attachments such as augers, hammers, compactors, quick couplers and concrete crushers, Aldridge said.