THE SNIDER GROUP - Brandeis Focusing on Solutions magazine

Major improvements to D155AX-6 Sigma Dozer. . continuedshift enables you to doze large quantities ofmaterial with less power and therefore use lessfuel. In addition to that, we’ve also installedthe blade closer to the tractor, which improvesvisibility, reduces lateral sway and enhancesdigging force.”With the 15 percent production increasecombined with a 10 percent decrease in fuelconsumption, Komatsu reports fuel efficiency— the amount of fuel you’ll use to move thesame amount of material — is improved bya whopping 25 percent with the D155AX-6compared with the previous D155 model, andmore than that compared with competitivedozers. The unit also has 7.5 percent moredrawbar pull at 2 mph compared to theleading competitor.Undercarriage upgradeBeyond the large boosts in productivityand efficiency, the D155AX-6 has numerousother new features and benefits, all of whichimprove dozing performance and machinereliability. One of the most significantlyimproved areas is undercarriage, whereKomatsu has replaced the X-Bogie systemwith the K-Bogie system, which is the sameundercarriage that’s used on mining dozers.“The D155AX-6 is the first constructionclassdozer to use the K-Bogie undercarriagesystem, which is proven technology onlarge dozers that run 22 hours a day in amining environment,” said Murawski. “Thetrack frame is roughly 20 percent larger andtherefore sturdier and more rugged. It alsohas seven track rollers instead of six, a widertrack gauge and longer track-on-ground length— all of which add up to a smoother and morecomfortable ride.”The ripper on the new dozer was alsoredesigned for better visibility and to allow itto operate at higher pressure (4,000 psi).The Sigma Dozer blade is designed to promote rolling of material and to keep it fromspilling around the sides.The D155AX-6 is the first construction-class machine to get the K-Bogie undercarriage,the larger and sturdier undercarriage used on Komatsu mining dozers.Operator safety and comfortOther improvements include a ROPS structurethat’s now built into the cab for better visibility;a new, easy-to-use, seven-inch LCD colormonitor — the same one used in the new Dash-8excavator line; and the Komtrax monitoringsystem that’s installed as standard equipment.Operator comfort is assured with a cabthat’s wider, higher and much longer thanthe previous D155. The operator will alsoappreciate a cab damper-mount system thatkeeps shock, vibration and noise to a minimum.Routine maintenance is easily accomplisheddue to centralized check points and easy accessto the engine through gull-wing doors.“At our Field Days demonstration, operatorcomments about the machine were veryfavorable,” said Murawski. “All of us atKomatsu are convinced the new D155AX-6 is theclear leader in its class and will pay dividends forequipment users by doing more for less.” n