Daracon adds Komatsu smart dozer to fleet

NSW based civil construction group, Daracon, has purchased its very first Komatsu dozer in its fleet – the D65EXi which will go to work on large civil construction projects in the Hunter Region, including sub-division works, site remediations and infrastructure projects.

Daracon Group Divisional Manager Plant & Transport, Cory Hay, said the company had been looking to add a new dozer to their fleet for a while, and after doing the research, Komatsu came out on top.

“We already have a small Komatsu fleet that is made up of excavators, dump trucks, water carts and wheel loaders, but this is our first Komatsu dozer. We’d been looking at Komatsu dozers for a while, and ultimately the machine performance, their local Newcastle team and the aftersales support that comes with the machine got us over the line.

“We consulted with our machine operator group, as in the end, they are the ones using the gear every day, and it’s important they’re brought along on the journey. One of our dozer operators is a Komatsu fan and has been for a long time - he loves their ease of manoeuvrability and their overall comfort - and his final endorsement was important.

“We’ve built a good relationship with the local team. We know we’re in safe hands and that we can rely on their speedy aftersales support if any issues arise or we have any queries.”

Daracon will rely heavily on Komatsu’s iMC system (intelligent machine control) that comes standard with the D65EXi dozer which allows operators to carry out final trim dozing that delivers final grade performance and accuracy.

“Every machine we have on our sites has 3D GPS capability. We have a big focus on using technology to our advantage, and the fact that it is integrated in the machine in one system is really important to us,” Hay said.

“The integrated Komatsu iMC offering ensures the critical accuracy and efficiency we demand. It also means we’re getting all our levels right and minimising any waste and rework.”

The D65EXi has been painted in ‘Daracon Blue’ livery, to mark the end of Daracon’s yearlong celebration of 40 years in operation in late 2024.

“That was just a nice touch and it feels like a perfect fit with the rest of our earthmoving fleet,” Hay said.

Komatsu’s NSW Regional General Manager, Aaron Kumar, said Komatsu’s partnership with Daracon reflects their commitment to providing industry-leading support and technology-driven solutions, through their local team of experts.

“Our iMC technology ensures we deliver fit-for-purpose solutions that drive precision, performance, and long-term success for our customers, and our relationship with Daracon is a testament to this, working with them to have the right technology to meet their project demands.”