Improvement of operator's environment in excavator

According to the report Ergonomic on-Site Assessment of Excavator Work, one big problem is the risk of falling accidents when entering and exiting the cab. The solution could be lowering the cab to the ground in front of the machine, this could also help during cleaning of windows. The mechanism needed for this operation could also be used for adjusting the cabin in height and tilting it, in order to solve the problem with neck and back injuries. In Umeå I had a meeting with professor Ivan Westerlund at SLU (Swedish Agricultural University) who taught me about ways to reduce vibrations by different undercarriages. It would be possible to have a principle similar to the terrain vehicles and tanks produced by Hägglunds. They are equipped with an active suspension system, making it possible to drive in high speed with track-undercarriage. By using this techniqe it would be possible to merge the two different excavators into one, a stable machine while working and a comfortable fast machine during transport. A fuelcell powerplant would be well suited, considering sound level and pollution in urban environment and especially underground worksituations. With less need for maintenance the risk for falling accidents gets minimized. As a bonus, maybe the waste water could be used for spraying, to avoid dust when needed. Today´s underground-operating machines are tied up with a waterhose which affects the mobility to a high level. Since i want to concentrate on a flexible machine adapted for roadtransport, my benchmark is the Volvo EW 180, their biggest wheeled excavator, produced today