Develon has added to its DX235LCR-7 reducedradius crawler excavator with a new arm and boom design – producing the DX235RTF-7 low-profile tunnelling excavator.
It is already working on Athens metro.
“The kinematics of the tilting boom and special arm are made for horizontal movement and precision,” says Jan Breburda, Special Applications Product Manager for Develon Europe, told T&TI.
That’s once it is underground, in the tunnels. To get there, the new machine has been designed to be simple to lift and move into place, the company adds. The DX235RTF-7 weighs in at nearly 26 tonne and is fitted with a 141kW (189HP) DL06V Stage V engine.
The focus on horizonal reach and accuracy – “over vertical movement” – is achieved by 45°/45° boom tilting in two directions, able to be pedal-operated from the cab, says the company, formerly called Doosan Construction Equipment.
The new machine is based on the DX235LCR-7 and as such is designed to work in narrow, restricted spaces without swing movements and keep a low profile. In numbers, that equates to: overall height (boom hose) of 3.84m; overall height (cab) – lowered, at 3.08m; and, rear swing radius of 1.68m.
The key addition and difference over the basis machine is the new arm and boom design.
To operate underground, the DX235RTF-7’s protective equipment safeguards against debris and any inadvertent contact with tunnel surfaces by meeting the Level 2 FOG system, combined with more heavy duty covers and hydraulic piping protection. Develon says the protection is also for hydraulic hoses, arm work lights, and adds that the bucket cylinder and links are in a dedicated compartment.
Adding to the equipment list, the new machine has six LED work lights (two rear, four front) plus AVM cameras, as standard, and PERO rotating piping, centralised greasing points and the option of a dozer blade. Further, the specifications include a 6.4 tonne counterweight and 600mm-wide triple grouser track shoes.
The Stage V engine and various advanced features are made for the European market, though similar machines are offered elsewhere, Breburda told T&TI. The new machine “is offered in the same way as regular Develon excavators through our dealer network, with the possibility of extended warranty and other additional services. Other forms of procuring the machine depend on the market and the dealer.”
The key first project is tunnelling work on Athens metro, “and there are already other enquiries about the machine.”
Doosan Construction Equipment was rebranded to Develon in early 2023. The branding change followed the late 2021sale of Doosan Infracore to HD Hyundai (formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co (HHiH)).
