Komatsu Launches HD465-7, HD605-7 Rigid Dump Trucks

Fri August 15, 2008
Aggregate Equipment Guide

Komatsu America Corp.’s two new rigid dump trucks, the HD465-7 and HD605-7 are designed for rock and quarry sites. Both trucks increase productivity while lowering fuel consumption, provide a safer and more comfortable operator environment and offer improved durability and reliability, according to the manufacturer.

The HD465-7 and HD605-7 both feature an SAA6D170E-5 turbocharged, air-to-air aftercooled diesel engine that provides a maximum net output of 715 hp (533 kW). The trucks meet EPA Tier III and EU stage 3A emission regulations and their high performance engines are enhanced with an advanced cooling system and improved fuel pre-filters. Komatsu’s new rigid dump trucks feature environmentally friendly lead-free aluminum core radiators.

High Performance

for Enhanced Productivity

The truck’s engines deliver fast acceleration and high travel speeds with high horsepower per ton. High torque at low speed, increased acceleration and low fuel-consumption ensure maximum productivity. The Komatsu designed electronically controlled countershaft transmission with K-ATOMiCS automatically selects the optimum gear according to vehicle speed, engine speed and the shift position chosen, resulting in the best gear for any operating condition. An improved engine and transmission controller results in improved fuel consumption/performance, and new load sensing valves decrease hydraulic pressure for greater efficiency and smooth operation.

The automatic retard speed control system (ARSC) with a large capacity retarder allows operators to set downhill travel speed at a constant level. Its cooling oil temperature is always monitored, so the speed is automatically lowered if the retarder oil temperature rises.

Improved Cab Design Enhances Comfort, Safety

The HD465-7 and HD605-7 are both equipped with an ergonomically designed cab that offers a quiet and relaxed operator environment. The wide spacious cabs are mounted with Komatsu’s viscous mounts to keep noise at a minimum and provide a low-vibration, clean operating environment and the built-in ROPS/FOPS structure provides roll-over protection.

An easy to view instrument panel, electric operated left-hand window, tiltable steering wheel and low effort pedals provide for maximum operator comfort. Adoption of an electric low-effort body dump control lever makes dumping loads much easier. The secondary foot-operated brakes actuate the front disk brakes and parking brakes. In addition, when hydraulic pressure drops below the rated level, the parking brake is automatically activated.

Durability and Reliability

Provide Easy Maintenance

The trucks’ fully hydraulic controlled wet multiple-disc brakes ensure reliable and stable brake performance. The continuously cooled wet multiple-disc brakes also function as a highly responsive retarder which gives the operator greater confidence at higher downhill travel speeds. Wet disc brakes are fully sealed to keep contaminants out, reducing wear and maintenance. Because the brakes don’t require adjustments for wear, maintenance is extremely low. The braking system is designed with added reliability. It has three independent hydraulic circuits that provide hydraulic back-up should one of the circuits fail.

Both the service filters and greasing points have been centralized for easier servicing. To minimize operating costs, oil change intervals also have been extended to 500 hours for engine oil and 4,000 hours for hydraulic oil. Flange-type tire rims make removal and installation of the trucks’ tires easy.

Komatsu’s advanced onboard diagnostic system maximizes machine production time by identifying maintenance items, reducing diagnostic times, indicating oil and filter replacement hours and displaying abnormality codes.

Both trucks are available with Komatsu’s optional Vehicle Health Monitoring System (VHMS). The VHMS provides the means to monitor the health of major components on large machines, enabling the remote evaluation of the machine’s condition and operations. This system has been designed to reduce repair costs and maintain optimal machine availability by helping to prevent unscheduled downtime.

The VHMS system enables downloaded machine data to be transmitted via the Internet and reviewed by Komatsu and Distributor service personnel. In most regions, data also is transmitted by Orbcomm satellites for added convenience and faster response time.

VHMS reports vital information is several areas. The operating conditions of machines and their service meters can be monitored. Trends, when graphically displayed as change-over-time, enable remedial action before breakdowns occur. Fault and event codes that are displayed on the machine’s monitor panel are recorded for future reference. Other data types include engine performance, real-time fault analysis, and machine operation history.

For more information, visit www.komatsuamerica.com.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.