Komatsu is a popular brand that manufactures heavy construction equipment, including excavators. The first hydraulic excavator, the B504, was built in 1954 by a company called Demag which was later acquired by Komatsu.
Since then, Komatsu has pioneered many developments in excavator technology. For example, their Komtrax monitoring system provides detailed information about machine specs on the web, offering data on service meter readings, location, fuel consumption, operational hours, and more, which in turn enhances productivity, availability, and equipment management.
Another unique innovation, the KomVision Human Detection & Collision Mitigation System, detects humans around the excavator, automatically preventing movement when people are detected during start-up, travel, or swing operations.
Komatsu has a variety of excavators to choose from, ranging in 6,812 pounds (PC30MR-5) to 1,712,991 pounds (PC8000-11). This post is a comprehensive guide to Komatsu excavator sizes — we go over their line of excavators in detail, so you can determine which models and specifications are best for your project.
Komatsu Excavator Sizes and Specs
Komatsu excavators range from small to large. Komatsu also offers specialty surface-mining and IMC excavators.
Small Excavators
Small or compact excavators can typically handle tasks like shallow trenching and digging, grading, and demolition. Komatsu offers six small excavator models ranging from 24.4 to 68 horsepower.
The smallest model, PC30MR-5, has a tight tail swing radius, allowing the machine to operate in tight spaces. It is also more fuel-efficient than earlier models.
Komatsu’s latest small excavator offering, the PC78US-11, is an improvement over its predecessor, the PC78US-10, with 12% greater hydraulic flow to attachments, reduced noise, and improved efficiency and productivity.
Explore All Mini Excavators
Choose a small size excavator if:
- You’re working in small, confined, spaces like indoor or fenced in areas.
- Your project is for urban construction or home landscaping where minimizing disruption is important, such as minimizing ground damage.
- You need a cost-effective option for small projects.
| Small Excavator Models | Horsepower | Max Dig Depth | Max Reach (inches) | Operating Weight (pounds) | Bucket Digging Force (pound force) |
| PC30MR-5 | 24.4 | 9 ft 1 in | 16 ft 7 in | 6,812–7,143 | 6631 lbf |
| PC35MR-5 | 24.4 | 11 ft 4 in | 18 ft 6 in | 8,201–8,532 | 6722 lbf |
| PC45MR-5 | 38 | 12 ft | 19 ft 10 in | 10,737–11,001 | 7628 lbf |
| PC55MR-5 | 38 | 12 ft 6 in | 20 ft 5 in | 11,354–11,618 | 8774 lbf |
| PC78US-11 | 68 | 15 ft 3 in | 22 ft 8 in | 17,438–18,188 | 13780 lbf |
| PC88MR-11 | 68 | 15 ft | 24 ft 1 in | 18,739–19,224 | 13780 lbf |
Mid-Size Excavators
Mid-size excavators can typically handle tasks like building demolition or large urban jobs that need more power than small excavators can handle. Komatsu offers
Komatsu’s latest offering in this size is the upgraded PC130LC-11. Released in June 2023, the PC130LC-11 has a longer undercarriage for a 20% increase in lifting capacity and uses 12% less fuel than the PC130-8 model.
Mid-size excavators include intelligent (i) models, super long front (SLF) options, and a waste handler (WH) designed for waste management tasks.
Choose a mid-size excavator if:
- You have moderate-scale projects where a mini excavator would be too small and you don’t need the heavy-duty capacity of large excavators.
- You need to frequently transport the excavator to and from sites where a large excavator might be more cumbersome.
- You need delicate handling with sufficient power for utility work or building demolition.
| Mid-Size Excavator Models | Horsepower | Max Dig Depth | Max Reach (inches) | Operating Weight (pounds) | Bucket Digging Force (pound force) |
| PC130LC-11 | 97.2 | 18 ft | 27 ft | 28,440–29,101 | 18190 lbf |
| PC138USLC-11 | 97.2 | 18 ft | 27 ft | 34,563–37,547 | 17530 lbf |
| PC170LC-11 | 121 | 19 ft 7 in | 29 ft 5 in | 38,720–43,115 | 24504 lbf |
| PC210LCi-11 | 165 | 21 ft 9 in | 32 ft 5 in | 51,397–53,882 | 29762 lbf |
| PC210LC-11 | 165 | 21 ft 9 in | 32 ft 5 in | 51,397–53,882 | 29762 lbf |
| PC210LC-11 WH | 165 | 21 ft 9 in | 32 ft 5 in | 51,397–53,882 | 29762 lbf |
| PC210LC-11 SLF | 165 | 37 ft 9 in | 50 ft | 55,029–55,646 | Unlisted |
| PC238USLC-11 | 165 | 21 ft 9 in | 32 ft 5 in | 54,230–55,660 | 33500 lbf |
| PC240LC-11 | 177 | 22 ft 8 in | 33 ft 5 in | 55,763–56360 | 38667 lbf |
| PC240LC-11 SLF | 177 | 42 ft 8 in | 60 ft 3 in | 58,618–59,235 | 38667 lbf |
| PC290LCi-11 | 196 | 22 ft 5 in | 35 ft 2 in | 70,702–72,091 | 44533 lbf |
| PC290LC-11 | 196 | 22 ft 5 in | 35 ft 2 in | 70,702–72,091 | 44533 lbf |
| PC290LC-11 SLF | 196 | 41 ft 5 in | 60 ft | 71,733–73,122 | 44533 lbf |
Large Excavators
Large excavators can typically handle tasks that require impressive lifting capabilities, reach, and hydraulic performance. Komatsu offers twenty large excavator models.
Their most recent offering in this size, the PC360LCi-11, comes with the latest IMC (intelligent machine control) technology to help with efficiency and productivity. It has a bucket breakout force at 51,510 pound force, enabling the machine to break through tougher ground materials.
The PC290LCi-11 is Komatsu’s fifth intelligent machine. Its grade assist feature traces the target surface to minimize over digging and the boom and bucket have auto stop control.
Many of these large machines are optimal for material handling (MH) tasks.
Choose a large excavator if:
- You have to move large quantities of earth, such as major construction sites, large-scale landscaping, or road building.
- You’re operating on tough terrain with difficult digging conditions.
- You need deep digging, such as for foundation laying for tall buildings or trenching for infrastructure.
| Large Excavator Models | Horsepower | Max Dig Depth | Max Reach (feet) | Operating Weight (pounds) | Bucket Digging Force (pound force) |
| PC360LCi-11 | 257 | 22 ft 2 in | 39 ft 1 in | 78,645–80,547 | 50930 lbf |
| PC360LC-11 | 257 | 23 ft 7 in | 36 ft 5 in | 78,645–80,547 | 50930 lbf |
| PC360LC-11 WH | 257 | 23 ft 11 in | 36 ft 5 in | 78,645–80,547 | 50930 lbf |
| PC360LC-11 SLF | 257 | 40 ft 10 in | 60 ft | 80,263–81,938 | 50930 lbf |
| HB365LC-3 | 269 | 23 ft 7 in | 36 ft 5 in | 81,791–85,495 | 51150 lbf |
| PC390LCi-11 | 257 | 23 ft 10 in | 36 ft 5 in | 87,867–90,441 | 50930 lbf |
| PC390LC-11 | 257 | 23 ft 10 in | 36 ft 5 in | 87,867–90,441 | 51150 lbf |
| PC390LC-11 WH | 257 | 23 ft 10 in | 36 ft 5 in | 87,867–90,441 | 51150 lbf |
| PC390LC-11 MH | 257 | 23 ft 10 in | 46–48 ft | 87,867–90,441 | 51150 lbf |
| PC390LC-11 SLF | 257 | 40 ft 3 in | 60 ft | 89,941–92,014 | 51150 lbf |
| PC490LCi-11 | 359 | 25 ft | 39 ft 6 in | 105,670–107,850 | 61730 lbf |
| PC490LC-11 | 359 | 25 ft | 37 ft 7 in | 105,670–110,220 | 61730 lbf |
| PC490LC-11 MH | 359 | 25 ft | 54–55 ft | 105,670–110,220 | 61730 lbf |
| PC490LC-11 SLF | 359 | 46 ft 2 in | 65 ft | 92,014–119,970 | 61730 lbf |
| PC650LC-11 | 436 | 27 ft 10 in | 42 ft 9 in | 140,456–145,284 | 71210 lbf |
| PC650LC-11 MH | 436 | 33 ft 7 in | 55–60 ft | 140,456–145,284 | 71210 lbf |
| PC900LC-11 | 543 | 29 ft 6 in | 46 ft 7 in | 204,148 | 90598 lbf |
| PC1250LC-11 | 758 | 25 ft 11 in | 46 ft 2 in | 269,300–272,600 | 128110 lbf |
| PC1250SP-11 | 758 | 30 ft 8 in | 50 ft 4 in | 259,960–265,900 | 107590 lbf |
| PC1250LC-11 MH | 758 | 38 ft | 55–70 ft | 259,960–265,900 | 87520 lbf |
Surface Mining Excavators
Surface mining excavators are built to handle the heaviest duty applications in mining environments, like demolition, open-pit mining, drilling and blasting to break up rocks, and clearing land of trees or vegetation.
Komatsu’s PC8000-11 hydraulic mining excavator is just as powerful as a comparable diesel machine. It also comes with remote operation and autonomous systems to control the machine in operation, making it safer.
Choose a surface mining excavator if:
- You have a large-scale application, like surface mining requires.
- Heavy-duty digging is required for the application.
- You have a lot of land to cover a project area.
| Surface Mining Excavator Models | Horsepower | Max Dig Depth | Max Reach (feet) | Operating Weight | Bucket Digging Force (pound force) |
| PC2000-11 | 1,046 | 30 ft 4 in | 51 ft 9 in | 445,179–456,926 lb | 156749 lbf |
| PC3000-11 | 1,260 | 25 ft 9 in | 53 ft 1 in | 250–261 tons | 100080 lbf |
| PC4000-11 | 1,875 | 26 ft 2 in | 57 ft 8 in | 392–409 tons | 303267 lbf |
| PC5500-11 | 2,520 | 28 ft 6 in | 65 ft 6 in | 533–551 tons | 340810 lbf |
| PC7000-11 | 3,350 | 27 ft 7 in | 67 ft 7 in | 677–699 tons | 370485 lbf |
| PC8000-11 | 4,020 | 28 ft 3 in | 69 ft 5 in | 768–777 tons | 466928 lbf |
IMC Excavators
Komatsu differentiates itself from competing brands with its line of IMC (intelligent machine control) excavators. These machines give operators semi-automatic control with digging, grading, slope work, and high production applications to make the process easier.
The IMC 2.0 model can help you save more time, see improved accuracy, spend less time grade checking, and reduce base aggregate. IMC also automatically assists with tilt bucket control and stopping the bucket when it reaches the design surface.
Choose an IMC excavator if:
- You are less experienced with complex excavating tasks.
- You need help grading and want less time focusing on grade checking.
- Your projects require a quick turnaround and greater accuracy.
| IMC Excavator Models | Horsepower | Max Dig Depth | Max Reach (feet) | Operating Weight | Bucket Digging Force (pound force) |
| PC210LCi-11 | 165 | 21 ft 9 in | 32 ft 5 in | 51,397–53,882 | 33510 lbf |
| PC290LCi-11 | 196 | 22 ft 5 in | 35 ft 2 in | 70,702–72,091 | 44533 lbf |
| PC360LCi-11 | 257 | 23 ft 11 in | 36 ft 5 in | 78,645–80,547 | 51150 lbf |
| PC390LCi-11 | 257 | 23 ft 10 in | 36 ft 5 in | 87,867–90,441 | 51150 lbf |
| PC490LCi-11 | 359 | 23 ft 11 in | 37 ft 7 in | 105,670–107,850 | 61730 lbf |
Specifications and Considerations When Choosing a Komatsu Excavator
Choosing the best excavator comes down to whether it’s the right fit for your job. When comparing machines, here are the most important specs and points to consider.
- Job application: The application you need the excavator for will determine which one you should choose. For instance, for small urban tasks where you want to make minimal ground impact and have fewer digging requirements, a small excavator will work fine. For large-scale mining tasks, a mining excavator would do the trick.
- Net horsepower: Net horsepower refers to the actual usable power of the machine. Having higher net horsepower helps you accomplish more demanding tasks, like intensive digging.
- Hydraulic horsepower: This refers to the power transfer to attachments, which has a direct impact on performance.
- Dig depth: This is the maximum depth an excavator can dig.
- Max reach: This refers to the furthest distance an excavator arm can extend.
- Operating weight: This refers to the total weight of the excavator when in operation, which influences its bucket capacity.
- Bucket breakout force: This is the maximum force an excavator bucket can exert, measured in pound force.
Ready to Rent an Excavator?
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