Komatsu America Corp. recently unveiled a
pair of new earthmoving machines—a mining-
class bulldozer and a quarry-class
wheel loader—both of which offer a number
of performance improvements over previous
versions. The company’s new D375A-
6 crawler dozer, weighing 157,940 lb and
powered by a Komatsu SAA6D170E-5
diesel rated at 636 gross hp, has been
designed to compete for market share
against Caterpillar’s D10T. The D375A-6‘s
more powerful engine, offering an 85 net
hp increase over the previous D375A-5E0
model, is the same unit used in Komatsu’s
PC 1250LC-8 hydraulic excavator (rated at
672 hp) and in the HD465-7 rigid body
hauler truck (rated at 715 hp). According
to Komatsu, an updated full-U 28.8-yd3
blade on the D375A-6 allows for increased
production without increasing blade width
or reducing digging force; the shape of the
blade is similar to the next-size-class-larger
Komatsu dozer, the D475A-5EO.
Komatsu says the new dozer includes 16
new standard mining features including
high-mounted head lights; battery and
starter isolator box; centralized grease
points; and manual engine stop switches.
Optional mining features include right and
left hand platforms with handrails and HID
work lights.
In addition to the new dozer, Komastsu
added the WA480-6 wheel loader to its
product line. The 299-hp machine has an
operating weight of 55,920 to 56,340 lb
and a dumping clearance of 10 ft 6 in.
when equipped with a 6-yd3 general purpose
bucket. According to the company,
the WA480-6 has a newly designed Large
Capacity Torque Converter that provides
the machine with excellent tractive effort,
improved acceleration and improved hill
climbing ability. The loader is powered by a
Komatsu SAA6D125E-5 diesel engine
with an Electronic Heavy Duty Common
Rail fuel injection system and is EPA Tier
3 emission certified. The machine is fitted
with Komatsu’s EMMS (Equipment Management
Monitoring System), allowing the
operator to stay informed of all machine
functions on the easy-to-read monitor. An
automatic transmission with Electronically
Controlled Modulation Valve makes operating
functions easier; for example, with the
touch of a finger, a kick-down switch automatically
downshifts from second to first
when beginning the digging cycle; in
reverse, it automatically up shifts from first
to second. Conversely, a hold switch keeps
the transmission in either third of fourth
gear speed when auto shift is selected.
www.komatsuamerica.com
As featured in Womp 2009 Vol 08 - www.womp-int.com
