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Overview of the Kobelco K907C
The Kobelco K907C is a mid-sized hydraulic excavator produced during the 1990s, known for its rugged build and straightforward mechanical systems. Though not as electronically sophisticated as newer models, the K907C remains a reliable workhorse in earthmoving, demolition, and utility trenching applications. Its popularity among contractors stems from its balance of power, simplicity, and affordability in the used equipment market.
Terminology Clarification
- Operating Weight: The total weight of the machine including standard attachments, fluids, and operator.
- Lowboy Trailer: A type of flatbed trailer with a lowered deck height, used for transporting heavy equipment.
- Permitting: Legal authorization required to transport oversized or overweight loads on public roads.
- Track Width: The total width across the outer edges of the excavator’s tracks, critical for transport planning.
- Counterweight: A heavy mass mounted at the rear of the excavator to balance the boom and arm during operation.
Estimated Weight and Dimensions
While official specifications for the Kobelco K907C are scarce due to its age, field reports and transport records suggest the following approximate parameters:
Transport Considerations and Permitting Advice
Due to its width and weight, moving a K907C typically involves:
Operational Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
To keep the K907C running efficiently, implement the following service practices:
In upstate New York, a small excavation firm continues to operate a Kobelco K907C purchased in 1998. Despite over 12,000 hours on the meter, the machine remains in daily use for septic installations and driveway grading. The owner reports that aside from a hydraulic pump rebuild and undercarriage replacement, the excavator has required minimal intervention. “It’s not fancy,” he says, “but it’s paid for and it still moves dirt like it did 20 years ago.”
Solutions for Parts and Support
For owners facing parts scarcity, consider these strategies:
The Kobelco K907C may not turn heads on a modern jobsite, but its reliability, simplicity, and raw digging power make it a valuable asset for operators who know how to maintain and transport it properly. With careful planning, accurate weight data, and a bit of mechanical ingenuity, this excavator continues to prove that old iron still has a place in the dirt.
In the world of heavy equipment, legacy machines like the K907C remind us that performance isn’t always about the latest tech—it’s about what gets the job done, day after day.
The Kobelco K907C is a mid-sized hydraulic excavator produced during the 1990s, known for its rugged build and straightforward mechanical systems. Though not as electronically sophisticated as newer models, the K907C remains a reliable workhorse in earthmoving, demolition, and utility trenching applications. Its popularity among contractors stems from its balance of power, simplicity, and affordability in the used equipment market.
Terminology Clarification
- Operating Weight: The total weight of the machine including standard attachments, fluids, and operator.
- Lowboy Trailer: A type of flatbed trailer with a lowered deck height, used for transporting heavy equipment.
- Permitting: Legal authorization required to transport oversized or overweight loads on public roads.
- Track Width: The total width across the outer edges of the excavator’s tracks, critical for transport planning.
- Counterweight: A heavy mass mounted at the rear of the excavator to balance the boom and arm during operation.
Estimated Weight and Dimensions
While official specifications for the Kobelco K907C are scarce due to its age, field reports and transport records suggest the following approximate parameters:
- Operating Weight: 39,000–41,000 lbs (17.7–18.6 metric tons)
- Track Width: Approximately 10 feet (3.05 meters)
- Overall Length: ~30 feet (9.1 meters)
- Height to Top of Cab: ~10 feet (3.05 meters)
- Boom Reach: ~30 feet (varies with arm configuration)
Transport Considerations and Permitting Advice
Due to its width and weight, moving a K907C typically involves:
- Using a lowboy trailer rated for 50,000+ lbs
- Securing oversize load permits, especially for travel through states like Maine, Vermont, or New Hampshire
- Coordinating with DOT for route planning and bridge clearance
- Removing the bucket or counterweight if necessary to reduce height or weight
- Ensuring proper tie-downs and load balancing to comply with FMCSA regulations
Operational Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
- Durable mechanical systems with minimal electronic dependencies
- Strong digging force suitable for rocky or compacted soils
- Spacious cab with good visibility for its era
- Easy access to hydraulic components for maintenance
- Lack of modern diagnostics or telematics
- Higher fuel consumption compared to newer Tier 4 engines
- Limited parts availability; some components may require fabrication or sourcing from salvage yards
- No factory quick coupler system; manual pin changes required for attachments
To keep the K907C running efficiently, implement the following service practices:
- Engine oil change: Every 250 hours
- Hydraulic fluid inspection: Every 100 hours; full change every 1,000 hours
- Track tension adjustment: Monthly or as needed
- Grease all pivot points: Daily
- Inspect boom and arm welds: Quarterly, especially after heavy impact work
- Replace fuel filters: Every 500 hours
In upstate New York, a small excavation firm continues to operate a Kobelco K907C purchased in 1998. Despite over 12,000 hours on the meter, the machine remains in daily use for septic installations and driveway grading. The owner reports that aside from a hydraulic pump rebuild and undercarriage replacement, the excavator has required minimal intervention. “It’s not fancy,” he says, “but it’s paid for and it still moves dirt like it did 20 years ago.”
Solutions for Parts and Support
For owners facing parts scarcity, consider these strategies:
- Cross-reference parts with newer Kobelco models or Komatsu equivalents
- Use aftermarket suppliers specializing in legacy equipment (e.g., FP Diesel, Linder Industrial)
- Partner with local machine shops for custom fabrication of pins, bushings, and brackets
- Join regional equipment owner networks to exchange surplus parts or technical manuals
The Kobelco K907C may not turn heads on a modern jobsite, but its reliability, simplicity, and raw digging power make it a valuable asset for operators who know how to maintain and transport it properly. With careful planning, accurate weight data, and a bit of mechanical ingenuity, this excavator continues to prove that old iron still has a place in the dirt.
In the world of heavy equipment, legacy machines like the K907C remind us that performance isn’t always about the latest tech—it’s about what gets the job done, day after day.
