THE new 142-tonne Komatsu HD1500-8 rigid dump truck has been introduced to the European market.
The manufacturer said it has made use of the latest developments in technology to further improve the machine’s reliability and maintainability, increase safety, and enhance productivity and efficiency.
The model features the latest KOMTRAX Plus telematics system, while KomVision comes as standard. Six high definition cameras help create a “bird’s-eye” view on the cab monitor, and eliminates blind spots on the rear and sides of the machine.
The machine is powered by a 16-cylinder Komatsu SDA16V159-3 engine and a newly designed transmission system offers a seven-speed automatic transmission with selectable reverse gear ratio.
Operators can switch between operating modes with a choice of “Power” or “Economy”, and the ECO fuel-saving guidance on the in-cab monitor is said to further boost fuel efficiency.
Jeroen De Roeck, product manager at Komatsu Europe said, “We are proud to introduce the Komatsu HD1500-8 and delighted to announce that this 142-tonne rigid dump truck is CE certified and now available for sale in Europe.
“It’s a completely new machine, re-designed using principles developed by the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) to ensure the highest safety standards.”
The K-Atomics, an electronic shift control with automatic clutch modulation in all gears, is described as optimising clutch engagement for “smoother shifting without any loss of torque”.
The Komatsu Traction Control System monitors the rear wheels’ rotating speeds and vehicle speed to minimise wheel slip, while the Komatsu Automatic Retard Speed Control allows the operators to set a downhill travel speed.
