Since Komatsu released its latest Dash 5 articulated dump trucks in Australia two years ago, the company has had strong success in the marketplace, both among contractors and plant hirers, and also in its rental fleet.
Important reasons for their success, along with their technological advances, include safety features, as well as significantly improved comfort and ease of operation, and their telematics-based remote monitoring capabilities.
The two trucks, the 28-tonne capacity HM300-5 and 40-tonne capacity HM400-5, are both powered by low-emission Tier 4 Final engines powering Komatsu’s advanced automatic transmission and traction control systems.
Both engines are US EPA Tier 4 Final emissions certified, cutting both nitrous oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 90 per cent compared with their Tier 3 equivalents, while delivering up to 14 per cent lower fuel consumption compared with previous models.
According to Richard Feehely, Komatsu Australia’s National Business Manager, Quarries, the new truck series has received excellent operator acceptance for its high standards of safety, comfort and ease of operation.
As well, their in-built telematics capabilities provide continuous remote monitoring to ensure they are always performing to optimum capabilities.
“Both trucks feature large ergonomically designed ROPS/FOPS cabs with air suspension seats, climate-control air conditioning and hydro-pneumatic front axle suspension,” said Feehely.
“In addition, a centrally located operator seat and short-bonnet design ensures excellent visibility to the working area, while they come with a rear-view camera and in-cab monitor as standard.
“These features ensure operators are able to work productively throughout a shift, with a high degree of awareness of their surrounding environment,” he said.
The two trucks also come as standard with a payload meter (PLM), which displays payload tonnage as the truck is loaded.
This information is visible to the operator, and the loading machine.
“Roof-mounted green/orange/red PLM lights, visible by the loading machine’s operators, allow payload optimisation while ensuring the truck is never overloaded,” said Feehely.