Komatsu Australia has released the D375A-8 dozer for mining and large earthmoving applications, delivering increased production, reduced operating costs, new operator assist and comfort features, along with improved maintainability and service life. With an operating weight of 72.9 t, the D375A-8 is powered by a US EPA Tier 4 Final emission certified Komatsu SAA6D170E-7 diesel rated at 455 kW in forward gears, and 558 kW in reverse.
The new low-emission engine provides more reversing power for higher productivity. According to Michael Hall, Komatsu Australia’s Mining Product Manager, the new D375A-8’s combination of a fuel-efficient low-emission engine, increased reversing power and enhanced chassis and track frame durability result in significantly lower operating costs per metre of material moved.
“Our new SAA6D170E-7 Tier 4-compliant diesel engine not only incorporates features to substantially reduce particulate matter and other emissions compared with previous generation engines, it also reduces fuel consumption through a heavy duty EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system, a hydraulically driven radiator cooling fan and Komatsu auto idle stop,” he said.
“At the same time, Komatsu has increased engine power by 20% when in reverse, reducing cycle time in downhill dozing applications – the most efficient method of bulk dozing. Compared with our previous generation D375A-6, production in downhill dozing is increased by 18%.”
And as with earlier generations of the D375A and other large Komatsu dozers, the D375A-8 incorporates Komatsu’s exclusive automatic transmission with lockup torque converter. “This transmission system reduces fuel consumption by up to 10%, along with greater power train efficiency, compared with manual gearshift modes,” said Hall. “Komatsu’s automatic gearshift transmission selects the optimal gear range depending on working conditions and the load on the machine, so it’s always operating at maximum efficiency.”
Operator comfort has been significantly improved compared with previous models of the D375A, through a number of upgrades and design changes. Significant ride improvements, based on proven design enhancements to other models, result from further changes to the undercarriage, cabin mounts and operator’s seat. “As a result, this generation of Komatsu mining dozers are the most comfortable on the market,” Hall said. Other improvements for operators include better visibility of the blade and ripper, new platforms and handrails and a Komatsu boarding ladder. Operator assist features such as auto blade pitch, auto ripper return and fixed steering lever are standard on this model.
A number of improvements to increase machine reliability and ease of maintenance have also been made to the D375A-8. These include long life mainframe and track frames, the use of a Mesabi® radiator as standard, with a hinge-type front mask and cooling fan support.
“Komatsu dozers have long been recognised for their high performance pushing and ripping capability, with Dash 1 generation dozers still in service, in Australia, New Zealand and around the world,” said Hall. “With this latest Dash 8 model, key frame improvements offer superior levels of durability and reliability for many years of service in challenging working environments. “And as standard, this dozer comes with Komatsu’s KOMTRAX Plus monitoring and equipment management system, for remote monitoring of machine health, site operating conditions and operator techniques. Komatsu also offers an energy-saving support report, based on a machine’s operating data, allowing us to work with mine management and machine operators to achieve lower fuel consumption and higher productivity,” he said.
Brief specs of the D375A-8 are: Operating weight, 72.9 t; powered by Komatsu SAA6D170E-7 engine rated at 455 kW (net) in forward gears, 558 kW (net) in reverse; blade capacity, 18.5 m3 (semi-U), 22 m3 (Full U).