Komatsu adds to range

Komatsu has added the WA400 to its dash five wheeled loader range. The 19t machine is the fourth in the dash five range and can be fitted with buckets between 3.3m3 and 5.5m3.

Power comes from a 154kW diesel engine driving via a torque converter with a lock-up facility. This is said to give considerable increases in traction and hill climbing, while offering 'significant' fuel savings and faster cycle times in load and carry operations.

The maximum dump height is just over 3m with a reach of 1,161mm (3.3m3 bucket) and there is a dig function which allows bucket filling from a stockpile without manual operation of the bucket controls. Its new SpaceCab offers 25% more room than its predecessor, a reach and rake adjustable steering column, 71dB(A) internal noise levels and an air cushioned seat.

Service intervals have been doubled to 500 hours and engine access has been improved with larger gull-wing doors.

l Chepstow Plant has ordered three Komatsu PC340-7 excavators to fulfil a contract with Instock Brick extracting clay from quarries in northern England.