Anyone run a new Komatsu?

[stuvecorp]

During the last storm we demoed a new Komatsu WA200-5 that had a hydrostatic transmission and it was a nice loader (used a 14' snow pusher on it for the first time and we were happy with that as well). The hydrostatic was nice, just let up and it slows itself so you don't have to stomp on the brake at all. We are thinking of trading our 721B in for the Komatsu (maybe going up a size for the 250). Noticed that there is alot of bigger loaders (4-6 yard) around here that are Komatsu and the guys seem to really like them. Has anyone had experience with Komatsu? The dealership seemed to be okay as well, we are getting tired of twisting Case's arm to get any attention out of them. At what point do you guys look to other brands or do you keep running the brand that you have?

[cat320]

Well I think it depends on if you like the machine your running now for one thing ,then if your dealer is any good before,durring and after the sale.If your running all the same brand oils ,filters and what not might be interchangable some times.Alot of guys run the Komatsu here and like them.

[Squizzy246B]

Anyone run a new Komatsu?

Not if I can help it:rolleyes: The bucket fell off the last one we had...but thats a long story :(

[Dozerboy]

It helps if you grease them once and a while:wink2 . J/K

[Jeff D.]

The bucket fell off the last one we had...but thats a long story :(

Dozerboy,more likely the bucket came off when his son left it(toy Komatsu) on the hallway floor,and Squizzy accidently stepped on it enroute to the kitchen for a sandwich.:rolleyes:

Sadly,all digging at the "couch cushions quarry" was halted until the dealer (Toys-R-Us)could bring out a replacement.:bouncegri

[digger242j]

....but thats a long story

We've got all lots of time....

[Jeff D.]

We've got all lots of time....

If he can't tell us why it fell off,we'll just make up our own,more colorful story.:bouncegri

Isn't right that Mr.Digger??

[digger242j]

If he can't tell us why it fell off,we'll just make up our own,more colorful story.


We've certainly proven that we have enough imagination for that. :thumbsup

(Although, knowing Squizzy, it's probably a pretty colorful story already...)

[Squizzy246B]

aawwwwwWW...C'mon...its embarrassing:spaz :crying

[Jeff D.]

C'mon now,out with it!!

Squizzy,when you post something that's akward or embarrassing,just try and forget that it will be on the internet FOREVER,that everyone WILL eventually read it,and that most likely it will be used against you once you've forgotton you posted it.:yup

But besides all that,there's no good reason not too!!:rolleyes:

[CEwriter]

You might find Walt Moore's Field Test of the WA250-5 interesting.

http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA469200.html

ADios

[Wulf]

During the last storm we demoed a new Komatsu WA200-5 that had a hydrostatic transmission and it was a nice loader (used a 14' snow pusher on it for the first time and we were happy with that as well). The hydrostatic was nice, just let up and it slows itself so you don't have to stomp on the brake at all. We are thinking of trading our 721B in for the Komatsu (maybe going up a size for the 250). Noticed that there is alot of bigger loaders (4-6 yard) around here that are Komatsu and the guys seem to really like them. Has anyone had experience with Komatsu? The dealership seemed to be okay as well, we are getting tired of twisting Case's arm to get any attention out of them. At what point do you guys look to other brands or do you keep running the brand that you have?

The WA320-5 uses the same hydrostatic system. They take a little bit of getting used to like you say because the machine retards itself when you let off the gas. They also have dozer-like power when running into the pile so you need to work the bucket a bit differently than a machine with a torque converter. The bigger machine have torque converters with a lock-up option

BTW as far as I can see is the only way a bucket can fall off other than sheer neglect is if the retainer bolts are left out or in the case of a quick attach the retaining pins are withdrawn during use.

[Squizzy246B]

BTW as far as I can see is the only way a bucket can fall off other than sheer neglect is if the retainer bolts are left out or in the case of a quick attach the retaining pins are withdrawn during use.

Quick attach, fell off as I was travelling on the road at about 15 mph. Luckily the machine had so much slop and play in the pins the sway sent the bucket left and only the left wheel hit it. I did a snappy right 45 deg turn which made some city workers laying footpath move faster than I've ever seen them move before. Just missed a house as well because it had bugger all brakes. Hire machines...don't ya love them. I don't judge Komatapillars by that particular machine because it was shot to pieces (i was a beggar so I didn't get to choose) but I am yet to see a Komatsu loader remain as tight as a Cat for the same given maintenance and work. They will however perform just as well in the right hands as will the Volvo. I just don't think the K lasts as well.

[TVCLTD]

stuvecorp
We purchased a WA250PT-5 about a month ago and happy so far , very quick and smooth loading ,etc. with the new hydrostatic transmission,

[stuvecorp]

Thanks guys. When we demoed the WA200 (they didn't have a 250 in at that time) and the machine seemed bigger than it looks and is listed on the spec sheet. Alot of the big loaders around here are Komatsu which suprised me, I think it's split with Cat and then some Volvos. I guess we were all suprised how nice the loader was, meaning why are we running our Case? Has any one else demoed machines and liked the other brand better?

[D10N]

I got the opportunity to demo run a WD600 wheel dozer, and it was an interesting machine. Roughly on par with an older 834B (988B). Biggest issue I had, other than the usual feeling of "light dutiness" associated with Komatsus, was the inability to get the power to the ground. Cleaning up spillage or rearranging a windrow was fine, but anything involving hard toes or rocks in general was a dismal failure - either wheelspin or an all out stall. All of the pins and trunnions seemed a little small for the machine as well, but being a new machine, I didn't notice any excessive slop/play. I did like the steering wheel over a joystick, and the cab was top notch as well.

[Tigerotor77W]

When you say stall, do you mean kill the engine? Or just not be able to turn the wheels?

(I'm used to skid steers, mind you, where stall usually means kill the engine... sorry for what may be a seemingly simple question.)

[D10N]

I'm referring to a total loss of momentum, regardless of RPM's - just like throwing it in neutral. All machines do it, this one just did WAY too soon.

[Wulf]

I'm referring to a total loss of momentum, regardless of RPM's - just like throwing it in neutral. All machines do it, this one just did WAY too soon.

The newer WD600 has a manual powershift/autoshift function with lock-up torque converter and throttle lock control. The machine should have plenty of power and to get it to the wheels the trick should be to combine engine speed and transmission gear selection matched to load on the blade. As far as I know the transmission shouldn't go into neutral except when selected or unless the left brake is applied.

[D10N]

The newer WD600 has a manual powershift/autoshift function with lock-up torque converter and throttle lock control. The machine should have plenty of power and to get it to the wheels the trick should be to combine engine speed and transmission gear selection matched to load on the blade. As far as I know the transmission shouldn't go into neutral except when selected or unless the left brake is applied.


They don't actually drop into neutral - they just effectively stall out. Rather than keep spinning the wheels, they act like you're standing on the declutch.

A big problem the Komatsus, and the newer series Cats have, is that the final drive ratios are higher, thereby getting less torque transfer across the entire powerband.

For some reason, productive rubbertires are going the way of the dinosaur. I'd much rather run an 834B over the current generation, particularly one that has had a recent refurb.

[Dozerboy]

We rented a newer WD600 and I didn't have any problem with it stalling or bogging down, but I wasn't pushing hard at all. One thing though I weigh 130 and it took all of my to get that thing to run at WOT, so after a week of that we got a used 824 with 15K hr. that used 2+ gals. of oil a day and 1 gal of 10W IIRC for the brakes a day. However it didn't smoke and didn't have any leaks.

[D10N]

The one we tested was in some pretty rough pushing - cleaning up after a P&H 4100 shovel (56 yd dipper). The WD600 would've done fine if working on an "improved" (soft) floor, but we were in some pretty hard diorite with alot of knots needing cleaned up.

[komatsukid]

this past summer i ran a 500 advance 6 on a demo. i think komatsu did a great job in developing this machine. it was heavy enough to penetrated the bank with ease, the torque converter and throttel is one of the best ive ever run. and all the controls seem to be well located. the best part is it flew! on flat ground this machine would really move!.

[mflah87]

I'm phasing all Komatsus into my fleet except the dozers. For some reason I've had good luck with them. The loaders and the excavators are all real smooth running machines. I wouldn't trade my komatsu loader for 12 cat loaders

[JDOFMEMI]

We run a WD-600 as well, and it seems to have no trouble getting the power to the ground. If the linkage is free and right, WOT is no prob, and the weight is there to keep the machine stable. 24,000 hrs on it, and first major component failure was a flywheel, which took out the torque converter.
It really sucks down the fuel at about 15 to 17 gal per hour. Needs splashed at lunch, or it will not make the shift on a tank.
I do not mind the wheel dozer, loader, or excavators, but the "USTAMUK" dozers will not find a home near me!:ban

"USTAMUK":
1) mining machine that used to muck, but won't any more.

2) Any dozer made by the Japanese co.

Just take the name off and turn it around

[Gmads]

We have a WA200PT-5 and a WA250PT-5. While I don't get a chance to operate much anymore, I really liked these loaders primarily b/c of the hydrostatic transmissions. However, most of my operators were not big fans of these loaders. I think it is a perception problem with them. The rimpull power to me seems comparable to other brands but the machine doesn't seem to have as quick a throttle response as others and I think the operators think that translates to lesser power. The cycle time on the lift, dump, lower functions are also a little slower than other machines and I think that is another reason my operators aren't as fond of these as some of the other brands. They feel this machine is more "deliberate" than the others.

I'm a big fan of the Komatsu excavators and hope the reliability on these loaders match the excavators.

[alco]

I've spent a bunch of time on a low hour WA380 and as much as I am not a big Komatsu fan, I have to say it was a nice machine to run. The only complaint I had with it is I kept hitting my knee on the tilt steering column. No matter what I did, I never seemed to be able to get everything adjusted to clear my knees.

We have a few that are starting to get up there in hours and are starting to give us problems, but in all fairness that's going to happen with any machine.

Brian

[stuvecorp]

We talked to our Komatsu dealer last fall and was really wanting to get one but the dealership kept making the deal bad so we told them no thanks. One thing that I didn't like is we wanted the machine to have a quick tach and aux. hyd. but had to wait about 90 days to get it, I don't like waiting for parts for any reason. I also didn't care for the salesman, My trade kept going down, lost rebates in the middle of the deal, wanted me to pay for trucking after price was set. The overall experience with them didn't impress me at all.

I did like the transmission, the cab did seem a little generic. My hope is another brand will come out with the hydrostat.

[dumptrucker]

Our town just bought a wa250 last year . We put 1600 hours on it last winter with no problems at all. We have a 12ft all angle plow on it. works real well.

[nedly05]

A couple of towns have 250's around here and they can't say enough good about them.

[KSSS]

By comparing a B series CASE to current competetive wheel loaders is not an equal comparision. Is the problem with your dealer or you just don't like the CASE wheel loader? The new E series is a nice loader there have been several purchased near me and at least initially the guys really like them, they have not had them very long.

Link Belt had come out with the hydrostatic trannys in their wheel loaders some years back. It did not seem to make a real big slash then, maybe because it did not have brand recognition that others have.

[stuvecorp]

I like Case loaders, I have run a 621d for pushing back snow piles and it was real nice. The only complaint was the parking brake set up, it wouldn't release quite right but the techs got it adjusted. The dealer is part of the problem, my opinion is the Case loaders (and other machines in their line) have treated us well.

[dumptrucker]

Out town traded a 621 for the wa250. We had no real major problems with it after 12000 hours on it. In the end the transmision I think was going.

Our major complaint with it was that it was slow over the road. We tried a new 721 and that was just as slow. Didn't climb hills very good 1 or 2 gear all the time. Our loader doesn't stay at the pit . We use it all over town and everything is uphill from the shop. And in the winter when your at one end of town plowing and have to go clear to the other side of town to pull a truck out of the ditch you want something that goes over the road fairly good. Especially since from one end of town to the other is about 20 miles , half of that uphill, it's a long trip.

[fendtman]

are they priced cheaper then CAt

[pwrstroke6john]

Im not sure about the pricing off hand but i used a new 380 this past summer and the sound in side the cab is amazingly quite.To me it seemed to have more power then the 950 but i havent used the new H series yet

[Young James]

I also used a new 380, and found it very quite too. It was a very comfortable machine, but I wasn't a fan of the new tranny. I for one rather the brand new 644J I currently run

[FreightlinerNut]

komastus are so coool

[pushkid84]

we had had an old 420 it was a strong machine after a while we rented a new kamatsu loader it was a nice machine and it had decent powerbut i hate the hydrostatic transmision it had a few too many gagsets for me i learned on g model cats

[XL4300X]

From the experience I have had, I would take a Cat over Kom any day.

[PETE379]

The Cat and komatsu are almost the same in price. Ive had 6 950's over the years, Im having problems with my new H. Im demoing a kawi this week and a komatsu next week. Was always a cat guy, but doesnt make sense to run a machine that doesnt perform how it should.

[loaderbob]

wa380-6
any one having problems with the dash 6??

[loaderbob]

looks like them komatsu loaders must be good (no problems with the dash 6)find that hard to believe>

[duffy]

just dont buy a "h" series dash 6. massive dramas here with poor manufacturing by the krauts.

[alpro]

i get on a wa380 once in a while and I'll tell you what komatsu is a nice piece of equipment. I'm not sure of the 200 series but for the price and what you get for it is a no brainer.

Alpro

[loaderbob]

just dont buy a "h" series dash 6. massive dramas here with poor manufacturing by the krauts.
what problems are you having?we have so far,leaking radiator,hydrualic pump overheating,blown hydrualic hoses,leaking radiator hose,auto grease line to z-
bar kinked&blocked,aircon filters not sealing,etc,etcmachine has done just over 2000hrs!:eek:

[sandnsnow]

We rented a wa380 for about 2 weeks. Sweet and smooth power but it used alot of fuel, about a 1/4 more than the old cat. I liked it and if I was in the market I think I would buy one. It had about 1300 hrs and there were no problems. We put about 90 hrs on it.

Our dealer is crappy to deal with too.

[duffy]

the h series dash 6 loaders have all got a field campaign consisting of replacement of trans pump and tank and modification of hoses. for the 380, 430 and 480 i think. **** job. talk to your dealer they will do it

[loaderbob]

the h series dash 6 loaders have all got a field campaign consisting of replacement of trans pump and tank and modification of hoses. for the 380, 430 and 480 i think. **** job. talk to your dealer they will do it
ours had the radiator&hydrualic pump&tank replaced 2 weeks ago,so is the trans a problem too:Banghead

[duffy]

nah not so much. good luck with it!

[reddot556]

i like it over the volvo

[bordercollie]

the h series dash 6 loaders have all got a field campaign consisting of replacement of trans pump and tank and modification of hoses. for the 380, 430 and 480 i think. **** job. talk to your dealer they will do it

I will look into this, as far as I know "H" prefix means HANOMAG built wich translates to european(GERMAN) built machines. I have not heard of anything as i was at mfgr creddited school last week on WA 380 -480 dash six last week and nothing was said. Could be a update, due to what continent the model was manufactured in.

BTW, i am talking about North American machines, there may be something out there that does not apply to North America machines.

[duffy]

as far as i know its a worldwide campaign on 380, 430 and 480 dash 6 h loaders. to replace the hydraulic tank, steer pump, loader pump (depending on model). during manufacture, the krauts did not clean out the tanks properly, slag and debris was left in tanks, causing the new v.d piston pumps to either stick at full servo piston angle or none. so either overheat or no power.
just as a general rule, the japanese built machines are of a higher quality than the german built.

[cagiva]

hi, i'm new members in this forum. I want to know where i can get the workshop manual for komatsu wheel loader WA 300, by downloading from internet or buying the hardcopy is ok.