New D61i-23 equipped with first fully automatic blade control
Komatsu America Corp. recently introduced the D61EXi/PXi-23, its first intelligent Machine Control model to the North American market. Thanks to its first fully automatic blade control, the D61i-23 dozer can perform not only finish grading, which has been possible with conventional Machine Control, but also rough dozing. As a result, it achieves outstanding improvements in productivity. This is the first machine using this new innovative technology, and it is scalable to other products manufactured by Komatsu.
“We are excited to bring to market the next generation of machine control technology with Komatsu’s “intelligent Machine Control D61i-23,” said Peter Robson, director of Intelligent Machine Controls. “The ease with which the D61i-23 transitions from rough dozing to finish grading with automatic blade control engaged is so seamless that both experienced and inexperienced operators will notice benefits.”
Longer track-on ground standard (EX) and low ground pressure (PX) models are available to offer customers flotation and weight distribution options that best match their applications. Operating weights range from 39,441 lbs to 41,381 lbs depending on the configuration with a net 168HP at 2200 rpm.
The D61i-23 also features the integration of Komatsu’s proprietary KOMTRAX® (Komatsu Machine Tracking System) and TOPCON’s construction management system. In the near future, this integrated system will enable high-efficiency, unified management of construction work through access to real-time machine data, via its web service, to track work progress including the amount of soil dozed at job sites.
Innovative: Fully Automatic Blade Control For Rough And Fine Dozing
While crawler dozers have been able to perform high-precision finish grading after installing an add-on machine control system, the D61i-23 can perform rough dozing as well as finish grading in automatic mode, thanks to its fully automatic blade control. When rough dozing, the automatic blade control monitors blade load and adjusts blade elevation to minimize track slip and perform high-efficiency dozing. As work progresses closer to the target finish grade, the automatic blade control adjusts accordingly to provide finish grade performance with high-level precision. Improvement in combination rough dozing efficiency is up to 13% higher compared to add-on machine control systems.
“The innovation is not only that Komatsu can provide the customer with fully automatic blade control for automatic rough dozing and efficiency improvement,” states Robson, ”but also that Komatsu is able to offer this technology while maintaining finish grade performance in the D61 dozer size class which is one of the most popular size class dozers for machine control usage.”
Integrated: Standard Factory Installed Integrated Machine Control System
With the D61EXi/PXi-23, typical add-on machine control system components mounted on the blade have been replaced with factory installed cab top GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna, enhanced inertial measuring unit (IMU+), and stroke sensing hydraulic cylinders. These components along with the machine control monitor and controllers mounted inside of the cab are installed at the Komatsu manufacturing facility during machine assembly, ensuring a quality installation with reliability.
“The integrated sensor package is not only robust and accurate but also eliminates the daily hassles of installing/removing GNSS antenna(s) and cable(s) from the blade, plus the wear associated with it,” explains Robson. “Customer support is now extended to the machine control system itself in the case of the D61i-23.”
Intelligence: Enhancements For Optimized Performance
Inside the cab, customer selectable dozing modes allow system response to be tailored to the current machine operation for optimized performance. Similarly, blade load settings are adjustable between pre-sets to match actual material conditions. Pass to pass, the intelligent Machine Control system can be left with the automatic blade control engaged because of its ability to precisely automate the lowering of the blade at the start of a pass and raise it at the end of a pass.
When the machine travels around the job site, the cab top GNSS antenna collects accurate surface data by measuring actual elevations. The stroke sensing angle cylinder measures the actual angle of the blade for high precision grading accuracy on cross-slope, blade angled or not.
Robson concludes, “The included value of all the added intelligence features on top of innovation and integration really drives up the value proposition, for both existing machine control users and new machine control users.”
KOMTRAX
The D61i-23 crawler dozer is equipped with the latest KOMTRAX® technology, which is fully integrated with Komatsu’s Tier 4 technology and sends machine operating information to a secure website utilizing wireless technology. Hour meter, location, cautions, load ratio, fuel consumption and maintenance alerts – to name a few of its features – are relayed to the web application for analysis. The KOMTRAX fleet monitoring system increases machine availability, reduces the risk of machine theft (compared to machines not KOMTRAX-equipped), allows for remote diagnosis by the distributor, and provides a wealth of other information to drive business efficiency and productivity.
Customer peace-of-mind is standard because of Komatsu CARE®
Komatsu CARE® complimentary scheduled maintenance is standard on the D61EXi/PXi-23 crawler dozers for the earlier of 3 years or 2000 hours. Services are performed by factory certified technicians using only Komatsu genuine parts and fluids. Also included are complimentary KDPF exchanges at 4,500 hours and 9,000 hours in the first five years.
Visit the website at www.komatsuamerica.com for more information.
All comparisons are to Komatsu’s conventional, non-iMC models unless otherwise state.
Komatsu D61 specs
Engine
Model…………………………………………… Komatsu SAA6D107E-2*
Type…………………………… 4-cycle, water-cooled, direct injection
Aspiration…………………………………..Komatsu variable geometry
Turbocharged, air-to-air aftercooled
Number of cylinders………………………………………………………… 6
Bore x stroke……………………… 107 mm x 124 mm 4.21″ x 4.88″
Piston displacement……………………………………..6.69 ltr 408 in3
Governor………………………..All-speed and mid-range, electronic
Horsepower
SAE J1995…………………………………….Gross 127 kW 170 HP
(ISO 14396…………………………………………… 126 kW 169 HP)
ISO 9249 / SAE J1349………………………..Net 125 kW 168 HP
Rated rpm…………………………………………………………..2200 rpm
Fan drive type………………………………………………………Hydraulic
Lubrication system
Method……………………………….. Gear pump, force lubrication
Filter……………………………………………………………….. Full-flow
*EPA Tier 4 Interim and EU stage 3B emissions certified
Operating Weight
Tractor weight:
Including ROPS cab, U frame for power angle tilt dozer,
rated capacity of lubricant, coolant, full fuel tank, operator,
and standard equipment.
D61EXi-23……………………………………….. 17810 kg 39,264 lb
D61PXi-23……………………………………….. 18690 kg 41,204 lb
Operating weight:
Including Power Angle Tilt dozer, ROPS cab, operator,
standard equipment, rated capacity of lubricant, hydraulic
control unit, coolant, and full fuel tank.
D61EXi-23……………………………………….. 17890 kg 39,441 lb
D61PXi-23……………………………………….. 18770 kg 41,381 lb
Hydrostatic Transmission
Dual-path, hydrostatic transmission provides infinite speed changes
up to 9.0 km/h 5.6 mph. The variable capacity travel motors allow
the operator to select the optimum speed to match specific jobs.
Travel control lock lever and neutral switch.
Undercarriage
Suspension………. Oscillating-type with equalizer bar and pivot shafts
Track roller frame…………………………………Monocoque, large section,
durable construction
Rollers and idlers………………………………………Lubricated track rollers
Lubricated tracks
Parallel Link Undercarriage System (PLUS) with lubricated rotating
bushings for extended system wear life and lower maintenance
costs. Track tension is easily adjusted with grease gun.