November 2010, Vol. 65 No. 11
Equipment Spotlight
Equipment Spotlight: Wheel Loaders
Wheel loaders from Doosan, Komatsu America, Kubota Tractor, Caterpillar, Case, Volvo Construction Equipment, John Deere and New Holland.
Doosan
The new DL220 articulated wheel loader is built around a Tier 3 compliant, 148-hp 6-cylinder Doosan DL06 diesel engine that offers an operating weight of 27,205 pounds and a bucket capacity of 2.9 cubic yards. Dump height of 9 feet 4 inches and dump reach of 3 feet 6 inches make truck loading easy. The DL220 features a standard bucket breakout force of 22,928 pounds. Static tipping load at full turn is 19,282 pounds. Turning radius at bucket edge is 19 feet 2 inches at the maximum steering angle of 40 degrees. Four forward speed ranges provide maximum speeds of 4.3, 7.8, 14.3 and 23 mph. Three reverse speed ranges offer maximum speeds of 4.5, 8.4 and 16 mph. Depending on the application, the operator can choose between standard and economy working modes for either maximum productivity or minimum fuel consumption. www.doosanequipment.com
Komatsu America
The new WA470-6 features a large capacity torque converter. With a net hp of 272, WA470-6 has an operating weight between 51,850 to 52,150 pounds and a dump clearance of 10 feet 5 inches when equipped with a 5.5 yd3 general purpose bucket and is an excellent choice for construction, material handling and recycling applications. The new wheel loader is equipped with the latest KOMTRAX technology, which monitors a variety of machine operating information including daily fuel consumption, working hours, hour meter, machine location, cautions and maintenance alerts. Utilizing wireless technology, KOMTRAX relays this information to a secure website for analysis, thereby increasing machine availability, reducing the risk of machine theft, and allowing for remote diagnosis by the distributor. www.komatsuamerica.com
Kubota Tractor
The versatile Kubota R-Series wheel loaders offer better visibility, more power and outstanding productivity. The R420S wheel loader comes with Kubota’s own 43 hp E-TVCS diesel engine, while the R520S model comes with 49 hp. Kubota’s wheel loaders are loaded with capabilities; including electric shuttle shift lever to allow on-the-go directional change without clutching or braking, as well as Load Sensing Transmission which automatically adjusts speed and torque in response to load conditions. With standard 4-wheel drive, limited slip differential and rear frame oscillation, Kubota wheel loaders are known for their excellent traction and stability. 888.458.2682, www.kubota.com
Caterpillar
The Extended High Lift Option for the Cat 994F Wheel Loader provides 42 inches more dump clearance compared to the High Lift linkage for additional lift height making it easier for the operator to load a 250-ton size class truck. For faster cycle times, the operator can back the 994F away from the truck without racking back the bucket. The additional lift also enables the operator to dump the last pass without pushing material. Centering the load, for reduced truck wear, better truck handling and less spillage, is easier, too. The EHL linkage is designed to reduce operator fatigue, decrease loading time and improve daily production when loading 793 size trucks. In a 793 loading test with the new linkage, cycle time decreased 5.5 percent, which resulted in a 5 percent increase in production. The 994F equipped with EHL linkage is rated at 35 tons and is a 7-pass match with the 793. catrequests@cat.com
Case
Operators can match power and fuel economy to their application by choosing from three power curves and four work modes with the Case E Series wheel loaders. Standard limited-slip axles improve traction and performance. Contractors can operate wheel loaders on concrete and asphalt without damaging surfaces. The machines are ideal as well for muddy and slippery conditions, especially when equipped with traction devices. Accumulators in the lift circuit, called Ride Control, improve wheel loader stability and comfort when traveling, enabling them to carry full loads at higher speeds for greater production and safety. Joystick steering provides a popular option for repetitive work like truck loading. 262.636.6011, www.casece.com
Volvo Construction Equipment
Larger wheel loaders from Volvo offer substantial fuel savings, thanks to new OptiShift technology. Innovative new driveline technology for L150F, L180F and L220F wheel loaders will increase fuel efficiency up to 15 percent over existing Volvo wheel loader technology without OptiShift. A refinement of the Volvo APS driveline concept, OptiShift includes a new torque converter with lock-up and free wheel stator, as well as the Volvo-patented Reverse By Braking function providing reduced fuel consumption and increased operator comfort. When operating at a constant speed, the pump and turbine rotor inside the torque converter are locked together through a direct-drive clutch, lowering power losses and fuel consumption. Auto lock-up occurs in second, third and fourth gear. The lock-up function is activated by a switch on the cab post panel. 828.650.2000, www.volvo.com
John Deere
The model 444K wheel loader with Tier 3 emission-certified diesel packs an impressive torque reserve for power. The LCD screen offers general operating info, customized machine settings, diagnostics and a camera-eye view of activity behind the machine. Powershift torque-converter transmission employs smart-shift technology to continuously evaluate speed and load conditions, and adjusts clutch-pack engagement to suite. Ride control makes transport smooth, allowing the loader to navigate the jobsite more quickly without losing its load. 800.503.3373, www.deere.com
New Holland
The W190B wheel loader has a Tier-3 compliant engine rated at 227 gross hp. The machine comes standard with four power modes. The tightly sealed, heavily insulated and isolation-mounted operator cab uses maintenance-free, oil-filled dampeners to keep out dust, dirt, noise and vibration. The expansive flat glass area provides excellent overall visibility to the front bucket. The low rear hood and frame design provide better visibility to the rear. For convenient, automatic shifting, the 4×3 powershift transmission features a convenient forward/reverse shuttle lever mounted to the left-hand side of the steering wheel. www.newholland.com
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