PRODUCT UPDATE:
Safe, durable, and extremely good-looking, meet the very latest in Excavator Cab Guarding. We’re proud to release our Gen III Falling Object Protection System (FOPS) for mid-size Hitachi excavator cabs.
Excavator Cab Guarding plays a critical safety role, providing an extra level of operator and cab protection by guarding you from unforeseen impacts on the job.
You’ve trusted us to supply externally mounted cab FOPS structures since 2014, and our 3rd generation FOPS is packed with great new features.
You asked for it, and we’ve delivered. Easier install, a lighter escape hatch, improved sight lines, optional window guarding, and more, we took your wish list of Excavator Cab Guarding features and built them into this version.
The Safety Standard
With all the awesome upgrades, what hasn’t changed is the level of protection our FOPS structure provides to machine operators. Our Gen III FOPS has passed the SAE J1356 physical drop test, which was conducted by QAI international in Burnaby, BC.
Key features and improvements:
- WCB compliant; validated by SAE J1356 drop test.
- Air-assisted escape hatch for ease of egress and compliance to WCB requirement.
- New rectangular structural tubes that simplify installation to save time and cost on the installation process, reduce weight to reduce wear and tear on your excavator, and improve visibility by an increased aspect ratio of tubes to improve sight lines.
- Improved rubber bushing on the boom-side rear leg for improved durability and service life.
- Optional guarding for rear window, side windows, and cab door.
- Hinged front windshield guard for easy access to cab windshield for cleaning.
- Optional front windshield steel mesh guarding for demolition applications and compliance to WCB G604.
- Handrail for safe three-point contact for cab access and egress.
- Purpose-built for a Hitachi cab with profile and sight lines designed to suit.
Product Visualization
Viking West Gen III Falling Object Protection Systems are WCB compliant, validated by a SAE J1356 drop test
We worked with QAI laboratories in Burnaby, BC to perform a drop test in accordance with SAEJ1356. Our Gen III structure passed all test requirements.
We added a gas shock to reduce the force required to open the roof escape hatch. Maximum force on normal grade is less than 120N, which complies with WCB maximum of 135N.
Full view of excavator cab guarding with falling object protection system
Air-assisted escape hatch for ease of egress and compliance to WCB.
View of graph showing the Hatch Opening Force for ease of egress.
New Structural Tubes:
- Simplify installation to save time and cost for the installation process.
- Reduce weight to reduce wear and tear on your excavator.
- Improve visibility with increased aspect ratio of tubes to improve sight lines.
New main structural members have been optimized for strength and weight reduction, with new tubes offering a 10% reduction of weight, 50% improvement in positioning tolerance and 30% improvement in sight line obstruction.
View of improved rubber bushing on boom-side rear leg
for improved durability and service life.
Rubber bushing durability relies heavily on a tight fit to the bushing housing. We have tightened up the fit and reduced tolerances on the bushing and housing to ensure a more durable press in design.
View of optional guarding for boom-side window, rear-facing window, cab door side rear window, and cab door window.
View of alternative optional guarding for boom-side window, rear-facing window, cab door side rear window, and cab door window.
We have designed optional guarding for boom-side window, rear-facing window, cab door side rear window and cab door window. Our FOPS structure has provision for the easy addition of these optional window guards.
View of hinged windshield guard for easy access to cab windshield for cleaning .
We have maintained the hinged front windshield guard design to allow it to tilt out for cleaning the windshield, maintaining the windshield wiper, or replacing the cab front window.
View of handrail for safe three-point contact for cab access and egress.
We have maintained solid steel handrails welded to the cab door side A pillar and roof. This allows three point contact when you are getting in or out of the cab.
Purpose-built for Hitachi cab with profile and sight lines designed to suit.
Our FOPS is designed and purpose-built for Hitachi excavator cabs. We have optimized the size and tube shapes to match the OEM Hitachi cab, and to accent the aesthetics of your excavator.
We know you won’t just appreciate all the great new features of our new generation Excavator Cab Guarding, but that you’ll also feel safe and secure on the job.
The order window for Gen III FOPS is open now, with deliveries starting in September 2022.
Viking West cab guarding comes with a 24-month warranty. All Viking West Cab Guarding products comply with the safety standard set by WCB and have safety features including an air assisted escape hatch and handrails.
For more information on Viking West’s line of cab guarding, fill-out our online form or call us at 604-381-0929 or Toll Free 1-855-500-6607.
