Komatsu smart dozer just got smarter

Komatsu’s intelligent dozer range, featuring the company’s very own semi-autonomous technology that automates grading functions, has been taken to another level to further enhance productivity and accuracy for operators, the manufacturer said.

Recently, the D71PXi-24 from the company’s upgraded dozer range made its Aussie debut at several construction trade shows around the country including the Diesel Dirt and Turf show in New South Wales and the Civil Construction Field Days in Queensland.

The original range of smart dozers with iMC were launched in 2016 to much fanfare, turning heads with their ability to help operators carry out both bulk and final trim dozing tasks in fully automatic mode from start to finish.

Komatsu expands 'intelligent' dozer line-up

Komatsu smart tech paving the way

Komatsu Australia unveils first smart mining dozer

According to Komatsu Australia’s Pat Munro, the iMC 2.0 takes intelligent grading to a whole new level.

“It has improved hydraulics so the machine performs much faster when changing the angle of design, for example,” Munro said.

A new ‘Quick Surface Creation’ function allows operators to create a temporary design in front of the dozer with the quick push of a button.

“If they're dumping material in front of the machine, with one push of a button on the screen it'll set a flat pad and the operator can just push out to whatever angle the machine is sitting on now,” Munro said.

Another key feature is the ‘Lift Layer Control’ that automatically spreads lift from existing terrain that Komatsu said allows operators to double productivity levels compared to previous models.

“If an operator’s going through an area with a dip in it and they're wanting to fill that, they can track over the terrain and the machine will record and plan its next layer depth of dirt to go through so the customer gets the maximum compaction,” Munro explained.

Another new feature on the iMC 2.0 is the ‘Tilt Steering Control’. “So when they're roughing out, the blade will automatically tilt to steer the machine, to keep it tracking in a straight line, which is ideal when you're bulk pushing,” Munro said.

The iMC 2.0 is not the only enhancement on the new 24-tonne D71PXi-24 dozer, Munro added, with other upgrades including increased visibility and transportability.

“The major improvement on the D71, in addition to the iMC, is operator visibility,” Munro said. “Coolers are now at the back, and it has a super-slant nose with the patent on that from Japan.”

A foldable Power Angle Tilt (PAT) blade on the D71PXi-24 also means the dozer can be transported easily on roads without having to deploy pilot vehicles.

“Usually when customers have to transport these machines, they have to have a pilot vehicle, which is very expensive,” Munro said.

“This blade here can actually be folded to under 3m for transport so no pilot required, which means big savings for operators and construction companies and they can move it around more often.”

Find Komatsu dozers for sale