The UK and Irish dealer for the Menzi-Muck range of excavators, Kendal based Exc@v8, has recently launched the new M515 Menzi-Master 15 tonne crawler excavator.
If you’re in the market for a true go-anywhere machine then an excavator company that calls the mountains of the Swiss Alps home should be well worth a look. The sophisticated high-tech chassis and patented boom that feature on what has become known as the Menzi Muck spider excavators, for instance, can perform feats of dexterity on sloping ground that would be impossible for lesser mortals in the muck shifting market.
Not only that, thanks to the adjustable wheel and claw supports, the fixed tilting edges on the tracked machines can be adjusted depending on the task ahead. As a result, operators are in command of lifting and ripping forces beyond those of conventional excavators. In fact, the company claims that one of its excavators weighing 9.5 tons produces an output similar to that of a 20 ton tracked excavator.
These range of Swiss-made excavators have traditionally been based around a wheeled chassis, with their unparalleled off-road ability, but in response to clients’ requests, Exc@v8 and the Menzi factory have developed two tracked versions, the M510 and the M515.
The M515, depending on specification, can weigh up to 14.5 tonnes and sits on a pair of 3.8m long tracks with a multi-positional, width adjustable undercarriage, which takes the track gauge from 2,500mm to a maximum 3,500mm when running on 600mm track pads. End users can choose an optional set of rubber pads while options up to a maximum of 1,800mm are available.
Unlike a standard extending undercarriage, the Menzi-Master is able to extend each track individually in order to offer full over the side lifting capabilities whilst still retaining a smaller footprint.
The undercarriage comes complete with a sturdy dozer blade with a 40-degree movement both up and down allowing it to steady the machine even on the steepest of slopes. The connection between the undercarriage and upper-structure is an over engineered slew-ring, the size of which is more commonly found on a 20 tonne machine.
Bearing more of a size resemblance to that of an 8-10t excavator, the upper-structure of the M515 is taken from that of the best-selling M5 series of wheeled excavators. Powered by a class-leading 157hp Deutz 4-cylinder diesel engine which meets current European Tier4 interim emissions regulations the M515 may be the most powerful in its class but still remains amongst the most frugal with average fuel burn figures of 8-10 litres an hour.
The large, tilting, fully glazed cab offers unrivalled vision for the operator. All controls fall easily to hand with fully adjustable joysticks capable of being programmed to suit specific operations or operator requirements. Storage space is not compromised with ample room behind the air suspended operator’s seat.
The two main areas where the M series machines far outperform their standard counterparts is the performance from the hydraulic system and the lift capacity from the front end equipment. The standard machine employs a pair of Bosch-Rexroth pumps, one each for travel and attachment operation.
An optional third Powerline pump can be specified where a dedicated attachment supply is required. The standard set up allows flow rates of up to 200l/min, enough to power the hungriest of attachments. Flow rates are all fully controllable via the in-cab touch-screen and allow the operator to match engine RPM and oil flow to match the operation being undertaken.
The unique mounting position of the main boom hoist cylinder prevents accidental damage and offers a wide working radius unrivalled on any other machine of this size. The standard 1.8m, extending dipper allows a maximum dig depth of 4.32m combined with a load-over height of 8m. Lift capacity at 3m radius is an incredible 9 tonnes while at full reach this drops to 2.4 tonnes.
