Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology has developed a 21-tonne crawler hydraulic excavator designed for extreme heat, dusty worksites and prolonged breaker operations in the Middle East.

The excavator was developed by a team led by Wu Baoshuo, Deputy Director of the Medium and Large Excavator Research Institute at Zoomlion Earthmoving Machinery Company. The machine recently received the Outstanding Flagship Product Award at Zoomlion’s Seventh Science and Technology Innovation Conference.

Designed for municipal construction, utility projects and mining operations, the excavator is built to work in conditions where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius. It is also suited for sites where hydraulic breaker work may account for more than 70 per cent of operating time.

To address heat-related challenges, the engineering team redesigned the airflow layout and optimised the cooling core for improved heat dissipation. Key structural components were strengthened, while welds were refined to reduce stress during repeated impact operations.

The machine also includes improved dust protection through an enhanced air intake system and better cab sealing. The team tested the upgrades at customer worksites in the Middle East, using sensors to collect operating data and completing thousands of breaker cycles to refine the design.

Zoomlion said the project involved teams across product development, testing, manufacturing, technical support and overseas operations. Its testing centre at the company’s headquarters also supported three months of high-frequency breaker durability testing.

The development highlights Zoomlion’s focus on building construction equipment suited to demanding regional operating conditions.