Kawasaki 115ZV

[Steve Frazier]

I buy material at NY Trap Rock, a Tilcon plant. In the past they've had all Cat equipment, but on my recent trips I've seen they are updating equipment with alternate brands.

They were running Cat 988s to load trucks, but on today's visit I saw a few Kawasaki 115ZVs. They look to be slightly bigger than the 988s and can load a tri-axle dump with 1 1/2 buckets.

What's unique about this machine is the operator has 2 pilot control joysticks for all operations. Right side operates boom and bucket, left is a point to steer stick with a toggle for gear selection. The cab is huge and has a wide front window, the operator's hands never leave the controls. The operation is very smooth and effortless, plus looks super efficient.

This is the first machine I've seen with these controls, is this becoming a trend?

[CT18fireman]

That's really strange, because the Tilcon plant here just bought two (I think) of them as well. I noticed them a few days ago but have not taken a close look. Got to get a couple yrads for a parking tray to I will look today.

[John Banks]

Jesse, i'm assuming you're talking about the Tilcon plant in Danbury. We frequent that plant and last I saw they were running a new CAT that they only got recently, perhaps within the last year or sooner.

Steve, I haven't seen any of the dual joystick machines, but have heard about them. I belive Cat is also experimenting/working with the design for the larger loaders.

[kamerad47]

Big Cat wheel loads have had them for a couple of years!!!!!

[CT18fireman]

I was actually talking about the Waterbury plant as I have been working out in Southbury recently.

The Danbury plant is tiny, although they tend to have plenty of material.

I try to go up to New Milford when I can. Not Tilcon, but a good quarry, now that the Brookfield Quarry is closing.

[John Banks]

Would that be ASI in New Milford Jesse?

I like the native color of their stone, more so than the color of Tony's stone at Bethel Sand & Gravel.

We're building a new spec house in Bethel and instead of paving the driveway, I am going to use stone from ASI, mainly because of the color, and it will work well with the landscape of the house, since it's going to be a Nantucket Shingle Style home.

[2004F550]

O&G has an experimental 980H loader from Cat. It has the single boom and a computer will run the loader when you go to get a bucket full, just set the dial for the material and it does the digging. There are 10 of these in the USA right now being watched by Cat. 2 in CT by HO Penn/Cat. We only heard about them cause there looking for a spot for the second one and they might bring it to our operation, I'll know by next week and definally get some pics for you guys if it shows.

[CT18fireman]

Yeah. ASI is the best in the area I think. A little out of the way but they have the best selection and quality is great.

I got 6 yards of nice clean sandbox sand from them the other day. Needed it for a Nursery School. This stuff was perfect.


I have used their stone for a few driveways I have done. It does have a nice native color, enough variation a good look without looking like a blend. Spread over a drive it looks realy good.

I find their prices to be pretty good as well.

[Tigerotor77W]

O&G has an experimental 980H loader from Cat. It has the single boom and a computer will run the loader when you go to get a bucket full, just set the dial for the material and it does the digging. There are 10 of these in the USA right now being watched by Cat. 2 in CT by HO Penn/Cat. We only heard about them cause there looking for a spot for the second one and they might bring it to our operation, I'll know by next week and definally get some pics for you guys if it shows.

Anything come of it? I understand the H-series is coming online this year, but as far as I could tell, it seemed it still had the parallel boom arms. Not sure if it was an advertisement error or if Cat scrapped the monoboom for the J-series (or I-series or whichever they decide is next).

They were running Cat 988s to load trucks, but on today's visit I saw a few Kawasaki 115ZVs. They look to be slightly bigger than the 988s and can load a tri-axle dump with 1 1/2 buckets.

What's unique about this machine is the operator has 2 pilot control joysticks for all operations. Right side operates boom and bucket, left is a point to steer stick with a toggle for gear selection. The cab is huge and has a wide front window, the operator's hands never leave the controls. The operation is very smooth and effortless, plus looks super efficient.

This is the first machine I've seen with these controls, is this becoming a trend?

Cat wheel loaders have had this type of control for a while, as kamerad mentioned. The 992D started with it; it spread to the 990F, 994D, and 988G. As of now, only the 988G and larger machines have the STIC control system.

Also, the 988G does compete in a similar market as the 115V. The 115V is probably more of a 988F-size machine than an 988G machine as the 988G has more horsepower and maximum bucket size. The 988G seems to have slightly better specs.

[2004F550]

Got it the 1st week of december. Its a 980G, with an Acert motor, revised cab, and an auto dig feature. You are correct the boom is paraell. We have it until the end of this month, at which time we can buy it for a reduced price or send it back. Great machine, much more productive then our 966F's.

[Tigerotor77W]

Got it the 1st week of december. Its a 980G, with an Acert motor, revised cab, and an auto dig feature. You are correct the boom is paraell. We have it until the end of this month, at which time we can buy it for a reduced price or send it back. Great machine, much more productive then our 966F's.

Good purchase! I'm pretty impressed with Cat's craftsmanship on the 980. It's a good machine. Just curious -- did you get the free wheel stator? How does that work?

[Steve Frazier]

I snapped a picture of this thing the other day

[Tigerotor77W]

Nice shot, Steve! Wonder how it's working out for them.

And that boom arm is interesting, too -- it's not smooth on top (smooth as in, it's not quite a smooth arc), which is definitely different from other designs out there.

[Steve Frazier]

I've never seen a machine with such great visibility as this. The cab sits at least 8' up and I was taking this picture at an upward angle. You can see the operators waist in this shot, imagine what a view he must have! It's a pleasure to watch the operator load, there is very little movement in the cab and it looks as if it's effortless. I don't see the jerky motion either that I've seen with steering wheel loaders and as a result there is no material spilling off the bucket. I predict this will become the standard in controls for wheel loaders.

[95zIV]

I worked in the quarry that the company I work for runs for 3 years. All we've got in there is Kawasaki's. The visibility is GREAT from the cab, a lot of glass, and huge mirrors. The joystick steering is VERY nice. The stick only moves side to side to control turns. There was three buttons on the one I ran. Forward and reverse, a neutral button and one to shift into first gear for digging. They come with a four speed automatic but you can manually shift through the first three and then the fourth location is the auto position. When it's in auto it starts in second gear and goes up to fourth. But when you slow down to dig it goes back into second, then you punch the button and it drops down into first. The system is very nice to run, you don't have to lean forward to turn the wheel, or flick the directional lever you just sit back with your arms on the rests and go. The only trick to them is that in cold weather, because of the system it is it's VERY jerky for about the first half hour.

[Steve Frazier]

I was at this same quarry again today and saw a Komatsu WA800! They are running all different brands of equipment now where they were all Cat in the past. A few years ago the plant was bought by Tilcon, prior to that it was owned by Lonestar. Tilcon has been making the changes in equipment. They also have some Terex haul trucks now too. I'll try to get a shot of the Komatsu, it sure is big!!

[Countryboy]

Thats interesting. I know at my quarry, if someone was to talk about bringing something in other than Cat, there would probably be a riot. This is not necessarily my opinion as I'm open to change but we have had good luck with Cat. They have been servicing this quarry for about 30 years. Interesting how it happens like that.

By the way, who makes Kawasaki?

[komatsukid]

last year the company i work at hosted 4 loader manufacters at our pit, Cat loaders are what they were hooked on for along time, over 25 years. we had the chance to run john deere 844j, volvo L220E, komatsu wa500, and cat 980H. the owner ran all 4 machines, suprisingly he liked the volvo and the deere the best. i got to run the volvo against our 980 it preformed very well. the 980 we have is turned up and the volvo kept up rather well. id have to say that the volvo loader had the most operator friendly cab iv ever been in.

[farm_boy]

By the way, who makes Kawasaki?

CB.....Kawasaki actually makes their own loaders. They have Cummins and Izuzu engines, Kawi trannys and Kawi axles. They are assembled in Newnan GA.

we had the chance to run john deere 844j

Kid....Did you get a chance to operate the 844J? I was just wondering what your thoughts about it were if you did get the opportunity.

[komatsukid]

i ran the 844j for a few hours this past summer, that loader is vary comfortable, has loads of power and shifts nice as well. the one we had did not have joy stick steer but it did have traction control, that was handy in a sandy situation. the control levers were pilot control like a 980g the hydraluics were fast too. the only thing i saw was it seemed like it was built alittle light, almost like a komatsu. this may have added to it being fast out of the hole.

[Countryboy]

CB.....Kawasaki actually makes their own loaders. They have Cummins and Izuzu engines, Kawi trannys and Kawi axles. They are assembled in Newnan GA.

:eek: Never knew that. I'll have to make a trip up there and check it out.:yup

[Tigerotor77W]

:eek: Never knew that. I'll have to make a trip up there and check it out.:yup

Since you appear to be pretty internet-savvy: http://www.kawasakiloaders.com/

I probably shouldn't flame Cat this way, but what the heck -- between the 844J and the L220E, Cat's 980-sized machine is definitely facing a run for its money. The L220E compares favorably, but the 844J is just a larger machine. I'd be curious what'd happen if you ran the 824J against the 980H.

[komatsukid]

i think if we were able to run those two machines against one another it would be like at my old job where we ran 980g s against wa500 s . we found that on flat ground a komatsu would out run a cat all day but, the 500 would not pull a hill like a cat, when i would be comming out of the hole the 500 would be two loader lingths ahead of me but, when we got to the grade i would walk right by the komatsu.

[farm_boy]

but the 844J is just a larger machine. I'd be curious what'd happen if you ran the 824J against the 980H.

What are you basing this on? Just curious. I thought all of these machines were in the same size class. Isn't the 824J in the same machine size class as the 972H?:confused:

[Wulf]

we found that on flat ground a komatsu would out run a cat all day but, the 500 would not pull a hill like a cat

komatsukid... you should find on the new WA500-6 model that hill climbing capacity has been vastly improved with new motor, different transmission, piston pumps and the lock-up converter.

[komatsukid]

yes you are right. i was refering to the -5 machines with the N14 cummins engines.

[komatsukid]

the lock up torque converter, does that work the same way that 988 do. with the torque button?

[Tigerotor77W]

What are you basing this on? Just curious. I thought all of these machines were in the same size class. Isn't the 824J in the same machine size class as the 972H?:confused:

I had fallen for numbers again. I saw the horsepower of the 824J listed as 316, and thought that Deere had bracketed Cat by having one loader slightly smaller than the 980 and one slightly larger. I should have noticed that my instincts were telling me that only the 844J is the competitor, but... *runs away* :o

You're right, though -- the 844J is the competitor to the 844J. I, er, I don't know what I was talking about. Don't I feel like a dumb-butt now. :Banghead

[Wulf]

the lock up torque converter, does that work the same way that 988 do. with the torque button?

kid... No it's different from the torque control as I understand it... when TC lock up is selected it automatically locks up the converter into direct drive when the engine speed and transmission speed hits the right speeds like when travelling at high speeds. I think its only in 2nd gear and higher.

There was a thread earlier about roading machinery long distances, well this function would save fuel and prevent high torque converter temperatures.

[farm_boy]

Your correct Wulf. This was an option on the WA500-6 when it was launched a little less than a year ago, but Komatsu recently made this standard equipment. It works similar to a lock up T/C on a scraper.

[kawasakiman]

The Joy sticks for the kawaski have been out for 10years. They were optional on the 95z, and the 115kz, also standard equipment on the 135z. They are very user friendly machines, thus making kawaski my choice of loaders. :usa

[Steve Frazier]

Every time I see this machine I'm amazed at how smooth it is. It's a joy to watch this thing load trucks, I'd love to run one someday.

[Countryboy]

Welcome to HEF kawasakiman! :drinkup

[komatsukid]

hey Steve, will you try to take a few more pictures of this loader. please.

[Gmads]

Anybody have any experience with a smaller model - like the 65TM? Feedback?

[CountyAsphalt]

next time im at one of the quarries i can take some pics. I am putting an album together of Tilcon's equipment and some of the jobs I am on with them. Tilcon has been buying a variety of equipment lately. So far I have seen Cat, komatsu, terex, john deere, gradall, and the kawasaki loaders. The pavers are blow knox, and vogele. We just got a new roadtec paver which is a nice machine. The rollers are cat, ingersoll rand, and the good ole raygo's for finishing. :usa

[Steve Frazier]

I was at their open house a few weeks ago and noticed the same thing. They used to run nothing but Cat, but I saw Cat, Kawaski, Komatsu, Terex, Volvo and an orange Japanese excavator whose brand escapes me.

I wish I had my camera, but it was an unplanned visit, I happened to be doing a job nearby and saw the sign. I'll plan on it for next year.

[j12222]

The Kawasakis have been pretty decent to Tilcon. Only a few issues with wear items in the cab.

The Terex Trucks we have are ok. They are very high maint. and the local dealer is now gone so parts have to come from Upstate...

...they do get the job done though.

The Komatsu W900 we have has been awesome... I'd say better then the 992G. We had a torque conv. failure at 11,000 hours which held us back for 2 weeks, but no other major issues.

The funky Orange machine was a rental Grapple. Daewoo 220 or our Hitachi 450's. We have several of those.

Thanks for taking notice of our equipment. Our guys take pride in them. Also thanks for coming to the open house. We have it every year and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Everyone is welcome.


James Slaughter
Mobile Equipment Superintendent
Tilcon New York

[Countryboy]

Welcome to HEF j12222! :drinkup