Compact is “Cutting it”

Mastenbroek has launched a new concept in trenching machines designated the HRT (Hard-Rock Trencher) series recently promoted as the Hard Rock Revolution because of the unique way
in which the machine operates with the trenching done at the front rather than trailing behind the machine. The geometry of this new arrangement means that the weight of machine is no longer so important in relation to the size of trench and therefore trenching will become more efficient with smaller more economical machines and less fuel consumed.

Hägglunds Compact motor type CA140 was chosen to replace the crankshaft type hydraulic motors to drive the trenchers cutter. The cutting head, which is designed within a dynamic boom arrangement, consists of the front drive sprocket of an endless chain, fitted with picks, sandwiched between two side cutters also having picks. The boom, once the initial cut is made, cuts from bottom to the top with spoil carried like a conveyor by the endless chain up through the centre of the machine and deposited at the side of the trench.

Improving basic cutting performance
During the original discussions with Mastenbroek, one of the main requirements identified was to have the ability to operate in extremes of climate both hot and cold. Hägglunds spent some time validating this in our large laboratory in Sweden. We also compared our results with tests on the competition which were the traditional crank case type motors often used in these applications on mobile equipment.