Skip to main content

Improved transport for Kobelco Construction Machinery’s demolition boom

The challenge of transporting the front-end equipment of high-reach demolition-spec excavators has been a key driver in the development of Kobelco Construction Machinery’s latest models, the 40tonne SK400D and 55tonne SK550D. Both offer working heights of 25m and 28m respectively from a three-piece boom.
April 25, 2018 Read time: 1 min
Kobelco’s latest demolition boom uses a redesigned intermediate section to reduce its transport height.
The challenge of transporting the front-end equipment of high-reach demolition-spec excavators has been a key driver in the development of 2200 Kobelco Construction Machinery’s latest models, the 40tonne SK400D and 55tonne SK550D. Both offer working heights of 25m and 28m respectively from a three-piece boom.


It is the intermediate boom section that has undergone a redesign, which now benefits from revised hydraulic cylinder positioning. By overlapping the cylinders in a X-pattern, engineers have found a way to fold the boom more tightly than before. This also combines with a much shorter intermediate boom piece, and the resulting transport height falls below two metres.

The firm said that this reduced overall height of the folded boom avoids the need for a specialist low-deck trailer system when getting the machines ready for transport.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Almost gone: Canada’s old Port Mann Bridge deconstructed
    August 14, 2015
    Three years ago a welder’s cut halved Canada’s old Port Mann Bridge. David Arminas reports from the banks of the Fraser River. By the time this issue of World Highways reaches you, one of Canada’s iconic steel arch bridges will be a shadow of its former self. It’s been a three-year demolition job since the first cut across the deck of the old Port Mann Bridge just outside the city of Vancouver on Canada’s Pacific coast. A new 10-lane 2.2km Port Mann Bridge opened in 2012 (see box). It runs parallel to the o
  • Major advances in compaction technology
    February 9, 2012
    Both soil and asphalt compaction technologies will see key advances in 2010, writes Mike Woof. With each phase of regulations coming into force for engine and noise emissions, as well as operator vibration, manufacturers have been forced to improve, upgrade and update their compaction machines.
  • Barrier innovations making roads safer
    February 21, 2013
    Developments in barrier technology continue to make roads safer for drivers - Mike Woof writes. Innovative new barrier technology is helping make roads safer for drivers. Key developments have been made in barrier design, helping ensure road and highway infrastructure is more passively safe. New barrier designs ensure that errant vehicles are redirected into the roadway, with reduced risks for occupants and also other road users. Continuously slipformed concrete barriers reinforced with steel are now widely
  • World of Asphalt report from Tennessee
    May 26, 2022
    Major manufacturers are offering a range of new compaction machines and technology to the market. Mike Woof reports from the recent World of Asphalt event in Nashville, Tennessee.