Kobelco Construction Equipment India (KCEI), a subsidiary of Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery, has unveiled three excavator variants in the 19.1–24 tonne category — SK210, SK215LC and SK230XDLC — in Chennai. The launch aims to address the growing requirements of India's infrastructure sector through improved performance, fuel efficiency and operating economics.

The new excavators reinforce Kobelco's 'Value Excavation' philosophy, which combines Japanese engineering with local manufacturing to deliver equipment suited to Indian operating conditions.

Manufactured at KCEI's Sri City facility in Andhra Pradesh, the excavators form part of the company's localisation strategy. The manufacturing plant has an annual production capacity of approximately 3,500 units and has produced more than 20,000 machines for domestic and international markets across over 16 countries.

Jun Hayama, Managing Director, Kobelco Construction Equipment India, said, "India remains one of the cornerstones of Kobelco's strategic growth vision in Asia. Celebrating two decades of our presence in the nation, including manufacturing and engineering, the launch of these three 20-tonne excavator variants underscores our unwavering dedication to Indian infrastructure development."

Powered by a 150 HP F4.5 Cummins common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine, the new excavators feature enhanced digging forces, GEOSCAN remote tracking, standard air-conditioning, LED work lights and a power boost function.

The machines also feature extended hydraulic oil and filter maintenance intervals, designed to reduce downtime, improve equipment availability and optimise lifecycle operating costs.

Moses Eddy, Director, Kobelco Construction Equipment India, said, "At Kobelco, with nearly a century of excavation expertise, we believe our responsibility goes beyond selling and servicing of machines. As leaders, we take pride in equipping our customers to achieve superior excavation economics through right balance of technology and localisation."

With the introduction of these variants, Kobelco aims to strengthen its presence in India's construction equipment market by offering excavators designed for reliability, durability and cost-efficient operations across infrastructure and earthmoving applications.