Lift off for union loaders

Komatsu's 67% stake in German wheel loader manufacturer Hanomag AG - which represents a 3% increase on its shareholding in 1989 - has impacted heavily on the company's latest products and manufacturing processes.

In the pre-BAUMA 1995 build-up, Hanomag AG, likely to be known as Komatsu-Hanomag after August's shareholders' meeting, has been busy.

Using Komatsu and Hanomag engineering, the company - now Komatsu's wheel loader specialist in Europe - has developed four new wheel loaders targeted at the 112-224kW sector.

The new machines, the WA 470-3, WA380-3, WA320-3 and WA420-3, featuring new rounded cabs with integrated ROPS/FOPS, are likely to be of particular interest to the UK market.

The WA470-3 and WA 380-3 - which will be the only machines from the range on show at BAUMA - offer respective power outputs of 194kW and 140kW, operating weights of 23.1t and 17.4t and Automatic Power Speed (APS) systems.

As well as the APS system - a product of German and Japanese engineering - the machines, powered by 6 cylinder Komatsu engines and strengthened by Hanomag welding, are fitted with Automatic Load Stabiliser electronic systems.

The system works within two pressure stages - full or empty bucket - to reduce vibrations and jolts which would cause fatigue to operator and machine.

Fully-automatic, 4-speed soft-shift transmissions give the loaders strong pushing force, irrespective of the terrain. Self-locking differentials with a locking value of 45% front and rear improves traction for work on soft ground, during heavy pushing or on slopes.

Benefits of the loaders' new APS system is that it enables the machine to adapt to individual operating conditions. The pilot-controlled hydraulic system decides the machine's optimum power-to speed ratio. For short loading cycles in extremely narrow areas, the main and alternate pump together supply a maximum capacity of 300 litres/ min up to a pressure of 160 bar.

If during heavy lifting the resistance rises, the alternate pump switches off automatically. Left on its own the 380-3's main pump supplies 221 litres/ min. At this stage the system pressure rises to 310 bar and transmits its entire power to the bucket. At the same time, the travel drive automatically receives more power due to the pump switch-off so that the machine can dig into the material more powerfully.

As part of Komatsu-Hanomag's integration programme, Hanomag AG's 'F' range of wheel loaders - the 10F, 15F and 20F, launched in 1993 - is now part of Komatsu's WA range. Respective model numbers are now WA60, WA75 and WA90.

In addition to new model numbers, the Japanese manufacturer's investment in Hanomag AG has sharpened production lines, cut staff by 45% and produced an integrated dealer network.

Assembly lines have been cut from four to two at its Hanover Plant and the German manufacturer is now solely responsible for the production of Komatsu axles and transmissions for its own products and for Komatsu plants in North America.

Plans for the future says Jurgen Siedel, chairman of the board at Hanomag, include the launch of two more models - the 30F and 40F, and the production of Komatsu's 500 and 600 series wheel loaders.

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