Used Komatsu 240-8Excavator

Reading: 11

📌 1. OVERVIEW

Item	Details
Manufacturer	Komatsu Ltd. (Japan)
Model	PC240LC-8 / PC240NLC-8
Series	8th Generation (replaced PC240LC-7)
Class	Medium / Large Hydraulic Excavator (~24 ton)
Production Years	~2012 – Present
Primary Use	General construction, mining, earthmoving, road building, demolition

The PC240LC-8 is one of Komatsu's most popular mid-size excavators, designed for high productivity, fuel efficiency, and operator comfort. It is the successor to the legendary PC240LC-7 and comes in two variants:

Variant	Description
PC240LC-8	Long Counterweight (Standard) — Higher stability for heavy digging
PC240NLC-8	Non-Long Counterweight — Lighter, better for tight spaces & transport

📌 2. ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

Specification	Details
Engine Model	Komatsu SAA6D107E-5
Type	6-cylinder, turbocharged, aftercooled diesel
Displacement	10.7 L (653 cu in)
Rated Power	179 hp (134 kW) @ 2,000 rpm
Max Torque	~686 N·m (506 lb-ft) @ 1,400 rpm
Emission Standard	EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage IIIB (using DPF + SCR/DEF system)
Fuel Tank Capacity	~400 L (106 US gal)
Fuel Consumption	~22–28 L/hr (varies by application)

🔧 Engine Features:

✅ Common Rail Fuel Injection — precise fuel delivery
✅ Turbocharger with Intercooler — boosts power & efficiency
✅ DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) — reduces emissions
✅ Auto Engine Speed Control (AESC) — adjusts RPM to match load → saves up to 10% fuel

📌 3. HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

Specification	Details
Pump Type	Variable displacement axial piston pump (×2)
Max Flow	~2 × 244 L/min (64.5 gal/min)
System Pressure	34.3 MPa (5,000 psi)
Hydraulic Circuit	CLSS (Combined Lever Shuttle System) — smooth, precise control
Travel Motor	Variable displacement axial piston motor (×2)
Swing Motor	Axial piston motor with brake

🔄 CLSS (Combined Lever Shuttle System):

This is Komatsu's signature control system:

One lever controls boom + arm + bucket simultaneously
Smooth, proportional operation
Reduces operator fatigue significantly
Faster cycle times compared to traditional systems

📌 4. DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Specification	PC240LC-8	PC240NLC-8
Operating Weight	~24,500 kg (54,010 lb)	~24,000 kg (52,910 lb)
Transport Length	~10,270 mm (33.7 ft)	~9,890 mm (32.4 ft)
Transport Width	3,190 mm (10.5 ft)	3,190 mm (10.5 ft)
Transport Height	3,250 mm (10.7 ft)	3,250 mm (10.7 ft)
Ground Clearance	460 mm (18.1 in)	460 mm (18.1 in)
Track Width	600 mm (23.6 in) shoes	600 mm (23.6 in) shoes
Track Length (ground)	3,990 mm (13.1 ft)	3,990 mm (13.1 ft)
Tail Swing Radius	2,980 mm (9.8 ft)	2,980 mm (9.8 ft)

📌 5. DIGGING PERFORMANCE ⭐

Parameter	Value
Max Digging Depth	7,370 mm (24.2 ft)
Max Reach (Ground Level)	9,960 mm (32.7 ft)
Max Digging Height	9,860 mm (32.3 ft)
Max Dump Height	7,140 mm (23.4 ft)
Max Digging Radius	9,800 mm (32.2 ft)
Max Vertical Wall Digging	6,730 mm (22.1 ft)
Bucket Capacity (Standard)	0.9 – 1.2 m³ (1.2 – 1.6 cu yd)
Bucket Capacity (HD/Rock)	up to 1.0 m³ (1.3 cu yd)
Arm Teeth Force	~152 kN (34,200 lbf)
Bucket Cylinder Force	~128 kN (28,800 lbf)

📌 6. TRAVEL PERFORMANCE

Specification	Details
Max Travel Speed	5.1 km/h (3.2 mph)
Max Gradeability	70% (35°)
Max Drawbar Pull	~175 kN (39,300 lbf)
Ground Pressure	~48 kPa (7.0 psi)

📌 7. CAB & OPERATOR COMFORT 💺

The PC240-8 is known for having one of the best cabs in its class:

Feature	Details
Cab Type	ROPS/FOPS certified, pressurized
Air Conditioning	Full auto climate control
Heater	Standard
Seat	Air-suspended, fully adjustable, heated (optional)
Display	7-inch LCD Multi-Display with camera views (rear, side, work tool)
Sound Level	~67 dB(A) — very quiet
Vibration	Low vibration design (rubber mounts)
Visibility	Excellent all-around with large windows
USB/AUX	Audio input available
Storage	Multiple cup holders, glove box, phone holder

📌 8. SMART TECHNOLOGY & TELEMATICS 📡

Technology	Description
Komtrax	GPS telematics — tracks location, fuel, hours, maintenance alerts ✅
iMC (Intelligent Machine Control)	Ready for 3D GPS grading — accuracy ±20mm ✅
Auto Idle Shutdown	Engine auto-stops after 5 min idle → saves fuel ✅
ECO Mode	Reduces engine RPM when full power not needed → up to 10% fuel savings ✅
Auto Engine Speed Control (AESC)	Matches engine speed to hydraulic demand ✅
Anti-Theft System (KOMTRAX Lock)	Immobilizer system ✅
Work Tool Management	Multiple attachment presets (breaker, grapple, shear, etc.) ✅

📌 9. MAINTENANCE & SERVICEABILITY 🔧

Feature	Benefit
Side-opening panels	Easy access to engine, filters, radiator
Ground-level daily checks	Oil, coolant, fuel, hydraulic oil — all at ground level
Extended service intervals	Engine oil: 500 hrs / Hydraulic oil: 4,000 hrs
Centralized grease points	Quick daily lubrication
Self-cleaning radiator	Reversible fan blows debris out
Boom/Arm drain valves	Easy sampling for analysis

Service Interval	Hours
Engine Oil Change	500 hrs
Hydraulic Oil Change	4,000 hrs
Hydraulic Oil Filter	1,000 hrs
Fuel Filters	500 hrs
Track Adjustment	As needed (~2,000 hrs)

📌 10. ATTACHMENTS COMPATIBILITY 🔩

The PC240-8 supports a wide range of attachments:

Attachment	Application
🔨 Hydraulic Breaker (Hammer)	Rock breaking, demolition
🪓 Hydraulic Grapple	Scrap handling, log grabbing
✂️ Hydraulic Shear	Steel cutting, demolition
🪣 Thumb	Material handling, pipe loading
🕳️ Auger/Drill	Piling, foundation work
🧹 Rake/Cleaner	Land clearing, grading
🪨 Ripper (Single Shank)	Hard ground, frozen soil
🏗️ Tiltrotator	Versatile attachment changing
🪣 Bucket (Various sizes)	General digging, loading

📌 11. COMPETITORS COMPARISON

Model	Weight	Power	Bucket	Price Range (USD)
Komatsu PC240LC-8	24,500 kg	179 hp	0.9–1.2 m³	$180,000 – $230,000
CAT 324 GC	24,300 kg	178 hp	0.9–1.3 m³	$185,000 – $240,000
Hitachi ZX240LC-6	24,200 kg	177 hp	0.9–1.2 m³	$175,000 – $225,000
Volvo EC240E	24,000 kg	177 hp	0.9–1.2 m³	$180,000 – $235,000
Doosan DX235LCR-5	23,500 kg	178 hp	0.9–1.1 m³	$165,000 – $215,000

💡 Komatsu's edge: Superior fuel efficiency (AESC + ECO), best-in-class cab comfort, and Komtrax telematics.

📌 12. STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

✅ STRENGTHS

Advantage	Details
&Fuel Efficiency**	Best-in-class ~10% savings vs competitors
💺 Operator Comfort	Quietest, most comfortable cab in class
🧠 Smart Tech	Komtrax, iMC-ready, ECO mode standard
💪 Digging Power	179 hp → excellent bucket/arm force
🔧 Low Maintenance	Long service intervals, easy access
📈 Resale Value	Komatsu holds value very well globally
🌍 Parts Availability	Excellent worldwide dealer network

⚠️ WEAKNESSES

Disadvantage	Details
💰 Higher Purchase Price	~5-10% more than Korean brands
🖥️ Complex Electronics	Tier 4 system (DPF/DEF) can be costly to repair
📦 DEF Required	Need to carry Diesel Exhaust Fluid
🔩 Parts Cost	OEM parts are expensive (aftermarket available)

📌 13. COMMON APPLICATIONS

Industry	Use Case
🏗️ Construction	Foundation excavation, trenching, backfilling
🪨 Mining & Quarrying	Rock loading, bench digging
🛣️ Road Building	Grading, pipe laying, ditch digging
🏚️ Demolition	With breaker/shear attachment
🌊 Dredging	With long reach arm
🌳 Land Clearing	With rake/grapple
🏭 Material Handling	With thumb/grapple for scrap

📌 14. SUMMARY

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Power	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fuel Efficiency	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Operator Comfort	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Durability/Reliability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Technology	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Resale Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🏆 The Komatsu PC240LC-8 is widely regarded as one of the BEST 24-ton excavators in the world — combining Japanese engineering precision, outstanding fuel economy, and unmatched operator comfort. It's the go-to choice for rental companies, contractors, and mining operations worldwide.

Would you like me to go deeper into any specific area — like pricing in a specific region, comparison with a specific competitor, or attachment recommendations? 🚜