CRAWFORD GRADING & PIPELINE, INC. - TEC Tractor Times

POINTS OF INTERESTENGAGING EXCAVATIONKomatsu’s KMAX tooth system offers cost-effectivesolution in a large range of applicationsIIn 2003, when Komatsu introduced itsKMAX tooth system, it was limited to sixtooth styles strictly for excavators. Today,those numbers have expanded to more than20 ground-engaging tools for both excavatorsand wheel loaders — PC120 to PC800 andWA150 to WA800 — that handle a wide rangeof applications.“There’s a right fit for virtually anyone whodoes excavation or similar types of work,whether they need teeth for digging in clayor rock, or they need something with goodpenetration into a pile, such as quarry work,”said Gary Jones, General Manager ProductSupport & Marketing for Hensley Industries,a Komatsu company that produces the KMAXtooth system. “The number of styles we haveis a direct result of listening to our customers’needs and cost-effectively crafting teeth thatmeet those needs.”The KMAX tooth system, which nowcomes on Komatsu buckets, is cost-effectivefor several reasons, said Jones. Chief amongthem is durability, which is achieved throughsuperior heat treatment that hardens KMAXteeth to the core, as opposed to some teeththat have hard exteriors but are soft on theinside.“That gives our teeth a longer life, allowinguse to 60 percent of wear as opposed to theusual 40 percent before replacement,” saidMarketing Manager Brent Dennis. “Heattreatment to the core is one part of the equation.Another is our streamlined design that allowsKMAX teeth to offer better penetration of thematerial while staying sharper longer. Thatmeans added efficiency and durability forlower owning and operating costs.”Fast, easy, safeWhen teeth need to be changed, theprocess is fast, easy and safe. Users simplyneed a socket wrench to unlock the reusable,non-load-bearing fastener in order to removethe tooth from the adapter on the bucket. Afterplacing the new tooth on, it’s easy to tightenit back down. In most cases, the process takesless than a minute.“We believe it’s the best system on themarket because there are no pins to behammered out,” said Jones. “Our teeth aredesigned so that if users see uneven wear, theycan flip the teeth.”“While KMAX teeth are first-fit on Komatsumachinery, the KMAX system can adapt foruse on other brands,” Dennis pointed out.“If you add it all up — durability, betterpenetration of material, speed of toothchanges, safety — we’re convinced the KMAXsystem offers the best tooth value in theindustry.” nwww.TECTractorTimes.comNEW!onlinevideoGary Jones,GM Product Support& Marketing,Hensley IndustriesBrent Dennis,Marketing Mgr.,Hensley IndustriesKomatsu’s KMAXtooth system offersdurability in morethan 20 tooth stylesfor a wide range ofexcavators and wheelloaders. It’s easy andsafe because the systemrequires only a socketwrench — no pins tohammer — to removeand replace teeth fromthe adaptors.onlvid