EK 140 | Heavy-Duty Chain Cutter for Excavators
Energy-Efficient Cutting and Controlled Excavation for 30–45 Ton Machines
- 40% lower energy consumption
- Delivers a powerful Cutting Force 61.2 kN (at 380 bar)
- Available in cutting widths of 800 mm, 900 mm, or 1,000 mm
- Narrow trenches with fine-grained material
The EK 140 Heavy-Duty Chain Cutter for excavators is engineered for projects where energy consumption, machine wear, and cutting control are just as critical as raw cutting power. Positioned within the EK Chain Cutters range, EK 140 introduces a fundamentally different cutting logic compared to conventional cutters—one that focuses on efficiency and mechanical balance, not force alone.
Designed for 30–45 ton excavators, EK 140 chain cutter uses a central cutting chain between the drums to continuously remove material from the cutting zone. This eliminates the formation of a central pillar of uncut material—a common issue with standard drum cutters that forces operators to swing the attachment side to side to clear debris. By removing this inefficiency, EK 140 reduces unnecessary hydraulic energy consumption and mechanical stress on the excavator.
With a verified cutting capability in materials up to 100 MPa uniaxial compressive strength, EK 140 delivers controlled excavation performance while consuming significantly less energy per cubic meter of material removed—making it a strategic choice for demanding, long-duration projects.
- Recommended excavator weight30 – 45 t 66,000 – 100,000 lb
- Rated power140 kW 187 hp (140 kW)
- Drum cutter length (A)2.150 mm 85 in
- Cutter head width (B)800 | 900 | 1.000 mm 32 | 36 | 40 in
- Cutter drum diameter (C)850 mm 34 in
- Width of gearbox (D)700 mm 28 in
- Recommended rotation speed65 rpm 65 rpm
- Recommended oil flow260 – 300 l/min 69 – 80 gal/min
- Max. oil flow420 l/min 110 gal/min
- Max. operating hydraulic pressure400 bar 5,800 psi (400 bar)
- Max. torque at max. hydraulic pressure26,000 Nm 18,730 lbf·ft
- Max. cutting force at max. torque61.2 kN 13,760 lbf
- Max. uniaxial compressive strength100 MPa 15,000 psi (100 MPa)
- Weight3.650 | 3.700 | 3.800 kg 8,050 | 8,160 | 8,380 lb
- Pick boxPH 32 HD Type PH 32 HD Type
- Number of picks in cutter drums44 | 48 | 56 Pcs 44 | 48 | 56 Pcs
- Number of picks in the cutter chain63 Pcs 63 Pcs
- Standard pickER 17/75/70/30 Q ER 17/75/70/30 Q
Why Choose the EK 140 Chain Cutter?
Up to 40% Energy Savings Through Smarter Cutting
EK 140 chain cutter achieves approximately 40% lower energy consumption compared to conventional rotary drum cutters. The reason is purely mechanical: the central chain automatically clears material between the drums, eliminating wasted energy caused by repeated swinging movements and re-cutting already loosened material.
Reduced Wear on the Excavator Swing System
Because material is removed continuously by the cutting chain, operators no longer need to swing the attachment from side to side to clear the cutting area. This significantly reduces wear on critical excavator components such as the swing gear, slew ring, and swing drive, extending machine service life and lowering maintenance costs.
Controlled Cutting Instead of Destructive Impact
The continuous cutting principle minimizes vibration peaks and shock loads. This allows EK 140 to work close to existing structures, foundations, and finished surfaces while maintaining high operational stability.
• Maximum torque: 26,000 Nm at 400 bar • Maximum cutting force: 61.2 kN Instead of delivering torque in short, inefficient bursts, EK 140 chain cutter applies cutting force continuously, translating hydraulic energy directly into productive material removal.
• Recommended oil flow: 260–300 l/min • Maximum oil flow: 420 l/min These values allow EK 140 to operate within the optimal hydraulic window of 30–45 ton excavators, supporting long duty cycles without overheating or performance drop.
When used for trenching applications, EK 140 allows trenches to be excavated only as wide as necessary, producing an optimal trench profile. This reduces excess excavation, lowers material transport volume, and minimizes backfilling costs—without forcing the attachment into a trenching-only role.
Like all EK chain cutters, EK 140 can operate fully submerged without any technical modifications, making it suitable for underwater and marine-adjacent excavation tasks.
Main Applications of the EK 140 Heavy-Duty Chain Cutter for Excavators
Rock and High-Resistance Ground Excavation
EK 140 chain cutter is used where ground resistance remains consistently high and energy-efficient cutting is essential to maintain productivity over long shifts.
Controlled Concrete and Structural Removal
The continuous cutting action enables precise removal of concrete and reinforced structures while minimizing secondary cracking and vibration.
Precision Trenching in Demanding Ground
Where trench geometry matters, EK 140 delivers clean profiles with minimal overbreak, reducing material handling and reinstatement effort.
Underwater and Submerged Excavation
EK 140 chain cutter performs reliably in underwater environments, supporting excavation tasks in submerged conditions without special preparation or equipment changes.
FAQs – EK 140 Chain Cutter
How does EK 140 achieve lower energy consumption?
By using a central chain to remove material between the drums automatically, EK 140 eliminates inefficient swinging movements and reduces wasted hydraulic energy—resulting in up to 40% energy savings.
Does EK 140 reduce excavator wear?
Yes. Continuous material removal reduces stress on the swing gear and slew ring, lowering long-term wear compared to conventional cutters.
Is EK 140 limited to trenching applications?
No. While it supports precision trenching, EK 140 is also used for rock excavation, concrete removal, and underwater cutting.
How does EK 140 differ from EK 110 in practice?
EK 140 is optimized for harder materials, higher continuous loads, and rock-focused applications, while EK 110 is primarily oriented toward infrastructure trenching.
Can EK 140 replace blasting or breakers in some projects?
In many controlled excavation scenarios, EK 140 can reduce or eliminate the need for blasting or heavy breakers by offering predictable, low-vibration cutting.
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