Gradall’s XL 5100 III, weighing just more than 55,000 lbs. (24,947 kg), reflects a new Gradall design philosophy that delivers increased performance, cost containment benefits and a shorter carrier for easier highway mobility and a shorter rear swing, according to the manufacturer.
Unlike the XL 5100 that used two Cummins engines, the XL 5100 III uses just one Detroit Diesel Mercedes engine. Conserving fuel while producing greater horsepower, the new engine operates both the truck carrier and the upper structure and boom. Plus, the concept reduces maintenance costs with only one electrical system, one radiator, one set of filters and other non-redundant features.
While the old model requires two fuel tanks — one with 86 gal. (325 L) and one with 50 gal. (189 L) the efficient new engine is paired with a single 100-gal. (378 L) tank. Also, the new engine has a longer warranty with standard 600-hour service intervals rather than the 250-hour intervals required by the engines it replaces.
Within the chassis cab, the operator can drive the excavator at highway speeds to one or more job sites in a single day. And from the upperstructure cab, the operator uses the same engine to reposition the carrier and operate the powerful telescoping and tilting Gradall boom.
Also, operators of the new model have greater control over their carrier positioning speed using a two-speed switch in the upper cab.
XL 5100 III models are available in 6 by 4 and 6 by 6 configurations, painted in the new Gradall color scheme — gray with red trim and dark gray cabs — similar to the XL 3000 and XL 4000 models. But the XL 5100 III carriers are 6 in. (15 cm) narrower than the models they replace, so they now can be driven on highways without an over-width permit.
A newly designed counterweight is higher, without restricting operator vision, and more compact, helping to reduce the swing clearance by 18 in. (45.7 cm) and the total length of the undercarriage by 6 in.
The shorter swing clearance enables the machines to deliver greater performance in tighter quarters, reducing interference with moving traffic during highway demolition and repair work.
The new upperstructure cab is located on the left side of the machine, a familiar location for operators of Gradall XL 4100 and XL 3100 highway speed models. It has a large, adjustable modular seat with joysticks built into armrests.
Also standard are AM/FM radio, air conditioning and a work light package.
The upperstructure swing speed has been increased by 33 percent, providing greater productivity for truck loading and unloading, allowing the Gradall to compare favorably with high performance conventional excavators. Bucket breakout force is increased from 21,900 to 24,900 lbs. (9,934 to 11,294 kg) and boom crowd force increases from 23,390 to 24,500 lbs. (10,609 to 11,113 kg).
New electronic joysticks replace hydraulic controls, providing increased reliability. Also, using a switch in the cab, the operator can now select either the Gradall, SAE or Deere joystick pattern.
The boom movement hydraulics system uses a single load-sensing axial piston pump — a load-sensing design that automatically adjusts boom power for high productivity excavating, ditching, loading and demolition or standard grading, sloping and finishing. Not only is the load-sensing feature convenient and productive, it also allows for fuel savings, according to the manufacturer.
Operators of the new model also have the option of reducing engine rpm from 1,900 to 1,700 using a new switch in the cab.
Unlike conventional booms that require significant overhead clearance to operate, the Gradall boom benefits from a telescoping action that allows it to work under bridges, trees, signage, top down excavations and on the ground floors of many multi-story construction projects.
Also unlike conventional booms, the telescoping action delivers consistent power throughout the entire digging cycle.
To capitalize on the versatility of the XL 5100 III, Gradall offers buckets designed for excavating, pavement removal, dredging, ditching and trenching.
Also available are grapples, hammers, grading blades, Telestick and standard boom extensions, a tree limb shear and a live boom that can reach over obstacles and dig straight down. Attachments are interchangeable with Gradall XL 4100 II models.
The XL 5100 III carrier is armed with an Eaton Roadranger transmission with nine speeds forward and two reverse. Operation is much quieter due to a series of advantages like a variable viscous fan clutch system, while the new chassis benefits from a stronger new axle, standard low profile radial tires and hub piloted disk wheels.
Within the carrier cab, drivers can monitor engine performance with new gauges level for oil pressure, coolant temperature, air tank pressures, fuel level, volt meter, speedometer with odometer and tachometer with an hour meter.
The cab also has a new air suspension seat as well as indicator and controls for front axle engagement on 6 by 6 models and rear axle differential lock.
For more information, call 330/339-2211 or visit www.gradall.com.
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