Komatsu releases HD1500-8 drive dump truck

Date: 05.04.2018

The HD1500-8 mechanical drive dump truck is designed to reduce the cost per tonne

Higher production, improved efficiency, and better maintainability are just some of the features of the newly released HD1500-8 mechanical drive dump truck from Komatsu. The 142 metric tonne replaces Komatsu’s HD1500-7, which was introduced in 2008.

Talking about the new release, Scott Harrington, Komatsu Australia’s national product manager, mining, says, "Our new HD1500-8 truck will further build on the success the HD1500-7 has had in Australia."

To ensure high standards of safety, the HD1500-8 has a completely new design and has been developed using principles established by the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table, Scott says.

 "This new truck builds on the performance and reliability characteristics of the HD1500-7, as well as incorporating technological advances from our proven HD785-7, such as the Komatsu Traction Control System," he adds. "It will deliver our customers outstanding productivity due to its high payload and high engine power, enabling faster cycle times."

Komatsu estimates the dump truck will provide a further six percent cost per tonne advantage compared to the HD1500-7.

The HD1500-8 is powered by a 16-cylinder Komatsu SDA16V159-3 engine based on the Cummins QSK50 Tier 2 diesel (also available in fuel-optimised calibration), rated at 1175 kW gross.

"While this engine is new to the Australian imported HD1500-8, it’s been used across other Komatsu mining products and is well-proven in the industry," Scott says.

A number of engine management and control features, such as Komatsu ‘on-demand’ energy-saving technologies and operator feedback systems, help in improving fuel efficiency.

"We’ve also significantly upgraded the transmission and rear axle components to ensure improved maintainability and durability," Scott says.

The HD1500-8 also has a payload monitoring system (PLM) that helps in managing the payload of each haul cycle.

"The PLM has also allowed Komatsu introduce a ‘loading policy’ for the truck, providing guidelines for ensuring correct target payloads are achieved every haul cycle, maximising productivity, reducing operating costs, and extending the life of tyres, brakes and other components," Scott says.

For improved reliability and maintainability, the dump truck features the latest information communications technology, which includes KOMVISION camera and radar system, the latest KOMTRAX Plus machine monitoring system, and a road condition analysis system.

For operator safety and comfort, the truck features an ergonomically designed automotive-style cab, reduced in-cab noise levels, and an automatic climate control system.

"These upgrades, combined with the additional operator feedback, monitoring and situational awareness systems, along with centralised maintenance locations, make this a far safer truck to operate, maintain, and work around," Scott says.

Komatsu HD1500-8 dump truck specifications

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