Komatsu has completed the roll-out of its EU Stage IV compliant ‘Dash 8‘ range of wheel loaders, with the arrival here in Ireland of its new, smaller 12t WA200-8 model.
Said by its distributor, McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill and Rathcoole, to have a “particular appeal” for agricultural contractors, grain wholesalers and suchlike, the new Dash 8 model is powered by a more environmentally-friendly engine and emissions system.
Embodying features from the previous Dash 7 version, it is apparently designed to deliver more productivity and improved operator comfort.
Welcoming its arrival, McHale Plant Sales Director John O’Brien said: “Specifically, we are finding the smaller WA200, WA270 and WA320 units are proving popular with large farmers and agricultural contractors.”
According to Komatsu, Dash 8 features include “ease of maintenance, improved operator comfort and machine monitoring and maintenance support”. Offering what it describes as “best-in-class access to control points”, service intervals have been lengthened.
Improved operator comfort, says Komatsu, is partially thanks to increased leg space and a heated, air-suspended driver’s seat. In line with other Stage IV compliant machines, the Dash 8 is equipped with the latest KOMTRAX telematics.
In other Komatsu news, the Japanese machinery giant recently developed a new hydraulic excavator with ‘Intelligent Machinery Control‘. While tracked excavators don’t normally catch AgriLand’s eye, this digging protection system might appeal to farmers and plant contractors alike.
The new PC210LCi‐11 includes a control function that allows the operator to work without fear of digging too deep, thanks to its novel technology.
While Komatsu has previously released an excavator with “intelligent technology” – the PC210LCi-10 – this feature is now a “proven concept“. Komatsu claims its latest model can “dramatically improve efficiency, precision and safety on a work site”.
Movement of the bucket is automatically limited to ensure that it does not dig further than needed, while the control function automatically maintains the grade – with “real‐time” bucket edge positioning.
