Kobelco’s new Blade Runner excavator is two machines in one

The enhanced Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner combines attributes of a short-radius excavator with a dozer

Kobelco’s new ED160BR-7 Blade Runner crawler excavator features a patented six-way, large-capacity dozer blade with folding edges to provide power, angle and tilt capability.

Kobelco calls the ED160BR-7, introduced to North America, one of its most fuel-efficient machines, and it comes with the exclusive Kobelco iNDr Cooling System that reduces dust while delivering ultra-quiet operation.

Multiple operating modes allow operators to dial in their preferred balance of performance and fuel economy, while adjustable presets for the bucket, breaker, nibbler and thumb enable tools to be changed quickly and easily.

The 37,000-pound crawler excavator uses its 105-hp Tier 4 Final Isuzu 4 JJ 1X DRAC -01 engine to bring 24,800 pounds of digging force to a digging depth of 19 feet.

Kobelco claims cycle time on the ED160BR-7 is 10% quicker than its predecessor - the 36,200-lb ED160-5 Blade Runner - and it features a swing speed of 11 rpm on the updated zero-tail-swing model.