Contractor Roadbridge has committed itself to hybrid and intelligent machine control with the purchase of new Komatsu machines for service at Dublin Airport and on other projects that include a major road realignment at Collooney and the Facebook data centre in Clonee.

In a multi-unit deal, their fleet is being expanded with the addition of two HB365LC-3 and one HB215LC-3 Hybrids and a PC210LCi-11 unit with Intelligent Machine Control.

Likely to be especially beneficial in reducing fuel consumption and environmental impacts generally, Komatsu Hybrids are seen as ‘heavyweight excavators with a lightweight environmental impact’ whose significant fuel saving come by combining engine power with a proven hybrid mechanism whose battery output is kept charged by the machine’s own swing movement.

Using intelligent machine control, operators have more accurate control of ground preparation. Automatically, the bucket is prevented from digging beyond the target surface, thereby maintaining grade automatically with real-time bucket edge positioning, both in relation to the machine and the job surface.

Other Komatsu machines forming part of the Roadbridge purchase include a number of PC490LC-11 excavators, PC138US-11 short tail swing crawler excavators, D65PX-18 and D85PX-18 dozers and PC55MR-5 and PC26MR-3 minis.

Commenting, John O’Brien, sales director with Komatsu distributor, McHale Plant Sales said: “by investing in latest machine technology, Roadbridge demonstrates the importance it attaches to self-reliance in matters of fleet availability and its function in promoting a strong, positive image for the company within the civil works contracting sphere”.

Photo Caption: Roadbridge Chief Executive Officer, Conor Gilligan (left) and McHale Plant Sales Chairman, Michael McHale pictured with a HB365LC-3 Hybrid, which forms part of a multi-unit purchase of new Komatsu machinery undertaken by Roadbridge.