A new class

A new class, Komatsu

A new line of 22-tonne class dozers that feature hydrostatic drive for increased manoeuvrability, and enhanced visibility for work areas has been released by Komatsu.

Komatsu’s D71EXi/PXi-24 dozers – a new class of machine for the company – combine iMC 2.0 enhancements and Tier 4 Final emissions technology to deliver high levels of performance, versatility and low operating costs.

In the same class as its D65EX-18 dozer, the 23-tonne D71EXi-24 (also available in swamp dozer configuration as the D71PXi-24 & Wide Gauge swamp dozer configuration as the D71PXi-24W ) is the largest hydrostatic drive dozer on the market to incorporate iMC capabilities.

It is also one of the first machines on the market to feature Komatsu’s recently released iMC 2.0, an update that delivers major productivity, efficiency and cost saving advantages to its latest model “intelligent” dozers.

Power for the new dozer comes from a Komatsu SAA6D114E-6 Tier 4 Final-compliant engine rated at Gross 179 kW, through a fully hydrostatic transmission.

According to Komatsu Dozers Product Manager Pat Munro, the move to hydrostatic drive has allowed for a redesign of the D71EXi/PXi-24 & D71PXi-24W, making it more versatile, productive, manoeuvrable, and with high levels visibility to the blade edges.

“While it’s in the same class of machine as our D65 series dozers, moving to hydrostatic has allowed us to adopt a cab-forward design. This, combined with our ‘super-slant’ nose design, gives incredible visibility to the work area,” he says.

“This means the operator can see blade tips and everything around them. They get an excellent view forward, something that’s not typically the case in dozers in this size class, which traditionally have had a high hood and limited visibility out the front window to the work area.”

Pat said the combination of hydrostatic drive and super slant nose, makes the new dozer nimble and versatile, allowing an operator to work efficiently and effectively in tight areas.

“It’s a very versatile machine that can quickly go from bulk dozing through to fine detail work – particularly when you take advantage of its iMC 2.0 capabilities. This provides unmatched flexibility on any jobsite,” he says.

“Hydrostatic drive makes it extremely manoeuvrable, particularly as it’s matched with our Palm Command Control System (PCCS), giving the operator very fine control.”

Its iMC 2.0 capabilities provide improved automated dozing operations, in bulk earthworks through to finish grade work.

Features of this include lift layer control, quick surface creation, proactive dozing control, tilt steering control and two  GNSS antennas, tracking multiple satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou

The two GNSS antennas allows the machine to always know its heading, making it more accurate on steep embankments as well as providing information for tilt steering control.

“Lift layer control, and tilt-steering control are both exclusive features of iMC 2.0, and represent a significant advancement in automated dozing technology,” Pat says.

“With lift layer control, the dozer automatically spreads fill material from existing areas of the worksite with the press of a button. The machine then measures the terrain it’s tracking over – and uses that data to plan the next pass.

“The result is a doubling of production rates compared with conventional dozing operations, while 100 per cent automatic operation means each layer is completely consistent and accurate.”

iMC 2.0’s one-touch tilt steering control feature frees the operator from having to steer the dozer to maintain a straight heading, by continuously and automatically tilting the blade as required to maintain straight-line travel.

“This greatly reduces operator fatigue and increases comfort, because operator input is reduced by up to 80 per cent, while straight-line travel guarantees a cleaner cut,” he says.

The D71EXi/PXi-24 & D71PXi-24W also features Komatsu’s INPAT (intelligent Power/Angle/Tilt) blade with adjustable pitch that offers maximum dozing versatility across multiple applications, including a blade capacity increase over D65-18 series dozers by 13 per cent.

The D71PXi-24 model has a 3M FOLDING BLADE (non-folding blade is optional) that when in travel position is only 2,960mm across, this allows contractors to transport this model without requirement for Pilot Vehicle as the width of machine is only 2,990mm wide, future reducing operating costs.

Work equipment speeds, to both blade and ripper, have also been increased, for greater responsiveness and accuracy of finish.

According to Pat, the new D71 class of dozers also offer best-in-class operator comfort and safety.

“It’s got a very quiet and comfortable cab, including a redesigned fully adjustable air-suspension, high-comfort seat, with in-cab noise levels of just 76 dBA,” he says.

“Our unique super-slant nose design gives the operator an excellent view over the entire worksite, including other machines, work vehicles and personnel that may be nearby.”

Pat says the D71EXi/PXi-24 & D71PXi-24W line of hydrostatic dozers set new standards in mid-size dozer performance and productivity.

“This size of dozer is being used more and more on job sites; the introduction of machine control systems has brought a new level of versatility to dozer operations,” he says.

“Now with our fully integrated iMC 2.0, combined with the efficiency, flexibility and power of hydrostatic drive, customers will see significant improvements in jobsite productivity and accuracy, while further lowering their costs of operation.”

For more information, visit: https://www.komatsu.eu/en/crawler-dozers/d71i-24

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