Komatsu wheel loaders: Fully loaded for waste sector

Komatsu wheel loaders are ideal for any type of loading and handling operation within waste, recycling and resource recovery.

Pioneers in advanced machinery, Komatsu Australia has maintained its position as a leader in the industry for more than 40 years.

Renowned for high quality standards and reliability, Komatsu wheel loaders meet the huge demands placed on machines by the waste management and resource recovery industry with a range of options and modifications available.

Nick Vrontas, National Business Manager, says this flexibility allows the wheel loader range to adapt to specific requirements of waste handling applications and job site conditions.

Available in both standard and tool carrier variants, the Komatsu wheel loaders range from compact utility machines for local government projects, through to loading, handling and stockpile machines, right up to the largest mechanical and electrical drive mining loaders.

“For decades, owners and operators have appreciated Komatsu wheel loaders’ low fuel consumption and operating costs,” Nick says. “When combined with reliability and ease of operation, they are suitable for any type of loading and handling operation.”

Setting the standard

Bucket cylinder guards, cooling screens, underbelly guarding, and front window and OEM light guards are standard inclusions on all Komatsu wheel loaders.

Nick says these are particularly important when working on uneven ground and sites with debris, such as landfills.

Underbelly guarding reduces debris build-up into the rear frame and shields the power train and hydraulic components while protecting the engine oil pan, oil drain and fuel tank drain. The front window guard provides an additional layer of protection to the window and operator and cooling screens increase effective air flow while reducing the amount of debris reaching the coolers.

Lift cylinder guards can be included to protect the lifting cylinder hydraulic hoses, as can axle seal guards, to reduce debris build up around shaft and seals.

Solid tyres, another optional inclusion, are designed to perform in tough recycling and waste management applications, reducing downtime and improving productivity.

The next generation

When it comes to improving productivity, the newly designed WA475-10 features the next generation technology developed with input from customers.

Nick says it saves 30 per cent more on fuel efficiency than the previous model and is suited for any loading jobs with a combination of fuel efficiency, productivity and ease of operation.

The wheel loader features the newly developed Komatsu’s Hydraulic Mechanical Transmission (KHMT), an innovative solution that makes the loader more powerful and fuel-efficient.

Variable speed control allows operators to adjust the machine’s top speed to meet specific site requirements, and the adjustable variable traction control also limits wheel spin on unstable and slippery ground conditions often found on many waste sites.

An optimised Z-bar linkage system provides much more lift force and a higher tonnes-per-hour production rate than previous models, and the response time of the hydraulics and the dumping or lifting can be set to specific site requirements.

The newest Dash 8 wheel loader range, including the WA270-8 and WA320-8, is powered by Tier 4-compliant low emission engine technology, delivering improved fuel efficiency, higher productivity, and reduced costs.

“There’s been a growing demand for Tier 4-compliant machines in Europe and the United States, and Australia is now following in that respect,” Nick says.

“Because our customers are chasing machines with the Tier 4 tick, the vast majority of the products that we market nationally are now Tier 4.”

Also helping to drive productivity is Komatsu’s innovative SmartLoader Logic technology which regularly evaluates load and working requirements. This engine control system senses the power requirement of each work phase and automatically changes between ‘economy’ and ‘power’ mode based on the application’s demand, reducing fuel consumption while maintaining the machine’s performance.

Nick says Komatsu designed and manufactured drivetrain and hydraulic components ensure that all elements work together to their optimum capabilities, paving the way for high productivity, ease of operation, reliability and durability, and long service lives.

All Komatsu machines are covered by the Komtrax remote monitoring system which constantly monitors and analyses machine health, production rates, fuel consumption and other operating parameters.

For more information, visit: www.komatsu.com.au