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For all the "mining minds"
Any of you have any further info and pics of the soon to be released dash 6 upgrade of this flagship loader? The following is an excerpt from an article on wheel loaders in the August issue of EMJ magazine.
"Beginning in the early 1960s when 6- yd3-capacity articulated loaders were introduced to the mining and construction markets—and customers started clamoring for ever-larger machines— wheel loaders have steadily carved a significant niche for themselves in mine operations as improvements in their versatility, reliability and capacity continued to keep pace with industry demands.
Although mid-sized and smaller loaders are often seen on-site today when there’s utility or infrastructure work to be done, mining is the prime domain of “big” wheel loaders, ranging in size from gargantuan, such as LeTourneau Technologies’ electric-wheel-drive L-2350 (2,300 hp / 80-ton payload) to the merely huge, including LeTourneau’s next largest model, the electric-wheel L-1850 (2,000 hp / 50-ton payload) along with the mechanically driven Komatsu WA1200 (1,715 hp / 40-ton payload) and Caterpillar 994F (1,577 hp / 38-ton payload). Recently, both Komatsu and Cat announced upgrades and improvements to their flagship loader models.
Depending on site conditions and production requirements, wheel loaders are capable of handling duties as diverse as primary excavation and/or loading, temporary backups for shovels and stockpile and dump maintenance, among other tasks. However, to generate true value for the operation, wheel loaders must match their high level of versatility with an equivalent level of availability.
That is the driving force behind Komatsu’s newest loader—an upgrade to its largest model, the WA1200—according to Rich Smith, product manager– mechanical drive equipment for Komatsu America Corp.
The math is simple, said Smith. With WA1200s being used as primary truck loaders in operations ranging from Appalachian coal mines in the United States to the iron ore operations of Western Australia, uptime is paramount. “If you’re operating a fleet of 10 trucks and one of them breaks down, you’ve only lost 10% of your production capability. If the loader breaks down, you’ve lost 100%,” he said.
The new WA1200-6, which has been extensively tested at an active mine site and was announced just before this issue went to press, won’t be available for delivery until early 2011 but will offer customers new levels of productivity, fuel economy and reliability, said Smith.
Although official specifications won’t be released until later this year, the highlights of the -6 include 26.2-yd3 standard bucket capacity; a new, EPA Tier II emissions-compliant diesel engine, improved integration of engine and transmission for performance and economy; higher reliability of major components; larger standard tires; and enhanced operator environment and serviceability.
The new loader will maintain its predecessor’s dual active work mode capability, and will monitor and automatically adjust engine rpm to suit changing conditions.
Other modifications, said Smith, include a move to variable displacement steering pumps, for example, to better manage parasitic power loss in the hydraulics. Also included as standard equipment will be a payload meter with register and tracking functions.
Service weight for the -6, at 216,000 kg (476,000 lb) will be about 5% more than its predecessor, the WA1200-3, mainly due to a more robust frame as well as improved ladder access, external decking and handrails. Although breakout force rating is the same as the -3, the -6 will be considerably more stable with static tipping load rating increasing by several thousand kilograms. The WA1200-6 will offer significantly higher air cleaner capacity, along with ground-level service points, said Smith. Komatsu’s wireless VHMS (Vehicle Health Monitoring System) is being renamed Komtrax Plus throughout the product line and is included on the -6, accompanied by a new, more intuitive operator display inside the cab. The loader will be powered by a Komatsu SSDA16V160E-2 engine, a product of the Komatsu/Cummins Industrial Power Alliance engine joint venture.
The loader will built at Komatsu’s Ibaraki plant in Japan, which opened in 2007 and is dedicated to production of large mining equipment mostly for export.
Komatsu’s line of mining-class loaders extends down to the WA900-3EO, rated at 17-yd3 standard bucket capacity, and the 14.4-yd3 capacity WA800- 3EO, which in standard configuration matches well with the 65- to 100-toncapacity haul truck range. In the high lift version, the WA900 works well with 150- ton trucks, said Smith, and is quite popular with mining contractors operating truck fleets in the 100- to 150-ton range."
Regards
Brian C
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Sounds good, doubt there will be many physical changes apart from the ladder. Love the look of the -3 machine...  Rowan.
1:25th scale CAT 375L excavator
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Cracking INFO & Cracking Pictures Guys  Looks like a Decent machine. Havent heard any bad about them .. Nice to see the CAT-DIE-HARDS silent  
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I agree RowanH, Older machines always look tougher even if they are actually less powerful then the current production model. The new machines have such a refined looked they could almost pass for Cadillac's in my opinion
Mike
Local 21 Steam fitters FTW!
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Butler
Thanks for posting those excellent shots! I have sent you a message with info you may find interesting.
Cheers
Brian C
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On second thought Butler, Do you operate the loader you posted photo's of? What do you think of the "Dash 6" version then? The Ozzies always get to trial new machines first When you said: Quote:-i assume the new ladder will look something like this one aswell.
You really meant to say 'loader' and not 'ladder'!!!! Cheers Brian C
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There was talk of a -6 machine a month or so back by one of the OZ boys. Butler, good to hear honest feedback from one of the big machine operators. Please share more pics, WA? Greetings from Melb. Rowan.
1:25th scale CAT 375L excavator
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Hey rowan, brian unfortunately thats not a -6 machine just a rio spec -3. has done about 30000 hours. Have operated 1200s for about 2 years now, eats 994's for breakfast. havent driven an L-1850 so cant compare it to that. Would be very keen to see cab pics of the -6 as all of komatsus new -6 and -7 machines like the pc5500 and 785 have awesome cabs!
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Ross, where i worked we had 2 1200,s and a 9YF 994, the WA1200 was a good machine in some respects, that being foot print, read stability with those proper loader tyres and dump clearance and reach as compared with a 994 loading 793,s at the site. In cost per hour to run it could not compete with the 994, in 18 months i was on site each machine had 2 engines fitted while the 994 at 47000 hrs had never had the engine removed!!!
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I think it's a pretty safe bet that if it is anything like their smaller loaders, it will be a pretty nice machine.
Brian
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The loader has been officially announced by Komatsu America. http://www.komatsuamerica.com/090810-WA1200-6Regards Brian C
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