Komatsu WA250PZ-6 wheel loader– Operator Review

CMTP is a company that supplies packaging and transport solutions to the manufacturing and agricultural industries. At its Branxholm (Tas) sawmill, the organisation produces softwood timber products; from pallets and export-grade fruit bins, to specialised whiskey boxes for overseas shipment.

The addition of a new kiln in 2014 meant the sawmill could further diversify its range of products.

CMTP Branxholm General Manager, Dale Jessup, says the drying kiln enabled them to add value to green-sawn pine. The kiln is used to either dry timber or heat-treat pallets so they can be used for international shipping.

“Heating wood to 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes eliminates the need to fumigate wood to destroy pathogens,” Jessup says.

“After installing the kiln, we achieved an ISPM15 stamp under the Australia Wood packaging certification scheme, because we are able to supply better quality products that haven’t been chemically fumigated.”

“Consequently we can now turn around products quicker which in turn increased our productivity,” he adds.

“That’s why we went looking for a new wheel loader that would add productivity to our log yard. Basically if that wheel loader in the log yard stops then the mill stops, it’s that simple.

“The main saw’s log feeder holds about 15 minutes’ worth of logs when the mill is cutting at full production, subsequently reliability and efficiency from the wheel loader are crucial components for us.”

Right tool for the job

According to Komatsu (Tasmania) Account Manager, Jason Cowling, the WA250PZ-6 fitted CMTP Branxholm’s brief for a high productivity and economically sound machine.

In addition, Komatsu’s “Komplementary Maintenance” package ticked the box for ongoing back up service.

Specification wise, the WA250PZ-6 boasts an impressive list of standard features that are options on other similar-size machines, such as the Komtrax satellite equipment monitoring.

Powering the WA250PZ-6 is Komatsu’s ecot3 inline six-cyclinder SAA6D107E-1 6.69-litre engine with an output of 140hp. Low noise and fuel economy are inherent design features of this engine.

During the development phase of this model, quality verification was performed for a total of 100,000 hours to ensure durability and reliability.

The engine provides fast throttle response to match the machine’s powerful tractive effort and fast hydraulic response. Low fuel consumption is achieved through high torque and the Hydrostatic Transmission (HST). An eco-indicator on the dash display helps the operator save energy on the machine.

Loader operator, Tim Barrett, says the HST transmission provides quick travel response around the log yard and delivers aggressive drive into the sawdust and pine bark stockpiles when he is loading trucks.

That’s due to the variable displacement system using a one-pump, two-motor system that automatically adjusts to the traction demand to provide maximum power and efficiency.

For instance, when high drive torque is needed to climb stockpiles in the mill or initiate movement, the pump feeds both motors. Conversely, as the machine gains ground speed around the log yard, the torque demand decreases and the low-speed motor is effectively disconnected from the system via a clutch.

When the machine decelerates to come in to grab a load of logs, the HST system activates a dynamic brake and can hold the loader in position on most workable slopes.

Safety and comfort first

Because the log yard has an undulating surface, CMTP Branxholm chose the optional deluxe suspension seat and ECSS (Electronically Controlled Suspension System) to improve safety and reduce driver fatigue.

“There are a lot of pot holes and dips around the yard, that’s just the nature of log yards,” Jessup explains. “The ECSS allows the machine to operate around the yard smoothly, safely and it greatly enhances ride comfort for the driver.

“We can turn off the ECSS when we have the bucket fitted and are levelling a surface.”

The New Zealand built Ensign log grapple utilises the standard WA250PZ-6 quick coupler and came with a purpose-built bucket that the log grapple can pick up to perform small digging and loading tasks without the need to disconnect the log grapple from the machine. This Ensign log grapple is designed to grip either small-diameter log bundles or single logs when the clamp is fully closed, while still maintaining full load capabilities.

The WA250PZ-6 features parallel linkage, which allows parallel movement of the log grapple. This feature can be deactivated if required, for instance when the bucket is attached it will automatically roll back to prevent spillage.

Komplementary Maintenance

“Many people ask what our Komplementary Maintenance entails,” Komatsu’s Jason Cowling says. “What it means is when you purchase any new Komatsu Construction or selected utility sized machine, you will receive free preventative maintenance servicing at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000-hour intervals for the first three years or 2000 hours, whichever occurs first.”

“This means the operators can focus on their core business and we focus on ensuring we’re giving them the best service possible by monitoring and looking after their machine.

“We have a few systems that integrate into the Komplementary Maintenance program to make it all happen seamlessly.”

Komtrax is a satellite-based system built into the machine that relays vital information about the machine’s work and performance. It is used in conjunction with Komplementary Maintenance to monitor whether the machine requires service or maintenance.

“It also does much more,” Cowling explains. “Through the fleet management function, it can improve fleet utilisation.  It has a machine location feature that identifies exactly where the machine is located, and there is a security feature that enables the machine to be remotely locked.”

“Operators can view a specific machine’s data in real time via the Internet on a computer or mobile device,” Cowling adds.

“For instance, we get an alert when CMTP Branxholm’s WA250PZ-6 is getting close to requiring its service. We can then co-ordinate that information with our field service technician and work in with CMTP Branxholm’s work schedule to conduct the service at a time when they are not using the machine.”

As part of the Komplementary Maintenance program, Komatsu Oil and Wear Analysis (KOWA) is used to monitor the condition of the fluids.

Think of KOWA as a blood test for the machine, where microscopic contaminants in the lubricants, coolant and grease are measured and the results are run against the machine’s history to ascribe specific wear trends.

“This preventative analytical process combined with scheduled maintenance goes a long way to avoiding expensive unscheduled failures,” Cowling says.

Excellent backup sealed the deal

“That’s really what we were looking for when we were searching for a new wheel loader,” Jessup says. “Granted, most machines on the market today could do the work in our log yard, but when it came to providing a complete back up service package, Komatsu really ticked all the boxes.”

“In fact we’re more than impressed with the reliability and performance of the WA250PZ-6 and are especially pleased with the improvement in economy which has averaged 9.1l/h over its life.

“The Komplentary Maintenance program has worked out far better than we first envisaged and we’re keen to keep that going after the 2000 hours are up with Komatsu’s extended maintenance program,” Jessup concludes.

To find out more about the WA250PZ-6 or Komatsu's range of machinery, visit komatsu.com.au