| Komatsu D575A |
A Komatsu D575 pictured with a man leaning against the blade arm |
| Type |
Bulldozer/ripper (D575A-3)
Bulldozer (D575A-3 SD) |
| Manufacturer |
Komatsu Ltd. |
| Production |
1991-present |
| Length |
38 feet 5 inches (11.71 m) |
| Width |
24 feet 3 inches (7.39 m) (width of standard blade) |
| Height |
16 feet 0 inches (4.88 m) |
| Weight |
D575A-3 - 131,350 kilograms (289,580 lb)
D575-A3 SD - 152,600 kilograms (336,400 lb) |
| Propulsion |
Tracks |
The
Komatsu D575A is a 1,150 horsepower (860 kW)
tractor crawler available as a
bulldozer/
ripper, the D575A-3, or as a dedicated bulldozer, the D575A-3 SD Super Dozer. Equipped with a standard
blade, both versions are capable of moving 90 cubic yards (69 m
3) of material per pass although the D575A-3 SD Super Dozer is capable of moving 125 cubic yards (96 m
3) of material per pass if equipped with an optional blade. The D575A-3 can dig to a maximum depth of 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) using its single shank ripper.
Currently the largest
bulldozer in production, the D575A has been produced by
Komatsu Ltd. in
Osaka,
Japan since 1991. Surface mine operators in the
United States,
Canada and
Australia are the primary users of the D575A, although it is sometimes used in heavy construction applications.
Development
Komatsu first showed a 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) bulldozer prototype, the D555A, to the public at the
Conexpo equipment exhibition in
Houston, Texas
in 1981. Due to economic conditions at the time, development was
stalled for much of the 1980s. A successor to the D555A prototype, the
D575A-2 SR Super Ripper, began field testing in North America in 1989,
and full production began in 1991.
The D575A-2 SR Super Ripper was joined by the D575A-2 SD Super Dozer in
1995 when the first D575A-2 SD Super Dozer was purchased and placed
into service by the Princess Beverly Coal Co. in
Cabin Creek, West Virginia. The current model, the D575A-3 SD Super Dozer was introduced in 2001.
Specifications
A 12-
cylinder,
four-stroke,
water-cooled,
direct injected,
turbocharged,
aftercooled, 1,150 horsepower (860 kW) Komatsu SA12V170E
diesel engine powers the 152.6 t (168 short tons) D575A.
The D575A features a standard blade that measures 11 feet 11 inches
(3.63 m) high and 24 feet 3 inches (7.39 m) wide, enabling the D575A to
move 90 cubic yards (69 m
3) of material per pass. The D575A measures 16 feet 0 inches (4.88 m) tall, 38 feet 5 inches (11.71 m) long has a
ground clearance of 2 feet 5 inches (0.74 m).
The D575A has a ground
contact area of 101.55 square feet (9.434 m
2) and exerts an average
ground pressure of 23 pounds per square inch (160 kPa).
Applications
The D575A is primarily used in surface mines in
West Virginia, mostly operating on
Alpha Natural Resources
sites in Appalachia. To date, 17 D575A's are in service in the West
Virginia Coal Fields. There is one super ripper that operates in
Las Vegas, and another 2 operating on
New Zealands South Island in the
Stockton mine.
Models
D555A (Prototype)
The D555A prototype was first shown to the public in 1981 at the
Conexpo
equipment exhibition in Houston, TX. Due to economic conditions at the
time, development was stalled for much of the 1980s. A successor to the
D555A, the D575A-2 SR Super Ripper began field testing in 1989 and was
the first model to enter production beginning in 1991.
D575A-2 SR Super Ripper dozer/ripper (Discontinued)
The D575A-2 SR Super Ripper was the first production version of the
D575A, going into production beginning in 1991. The D575A-2 SR Super
Ripper included a single shank ripper capable of digging to a maximum
depth of 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m). The D575A-2 SR Super Ripper was superseded by the D575A-3.
D575A-2 SD Super Dozer dedicated dozer (Discontinued)
The D575A-2 SD Super Dozer was the second version of the D575A, going
into production alongside the D575A-2 SR Super Ripper beginning in
1995.
The D575A-2 SD Super Dozer is an 1,150 horsepower (860 kW), 143,300
kilograms (315,900 lb) dedicated dozer with no ripper. The D575A-2 SD
Super Dozer was superseded by the D575A-3 SD Super Dozer.
D575A-3 dozer/ripper
The D575A-3 is an 1,150 horsepower (860 kW) dozer/ripper weighing
131,350 kilograms (289,580 lb) and capable of moving up to 90 cubic
yards (69 m
3) of material per pass. The single shank ripper has a maximum digging depth of 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m).
D575A-3 SD Super Dozer dedicated dozer
Introduced in 2001 as the successor to the D575A-2 SD Super Dozer,
the D575A-3 SD Super Dozer is a dedicated dozer with no ripper weighing
152,600 kilograms (336,400 lb). Equipped with a standard blade, the
D575A-3 SD is capable of moving up to 90 cubic yards (69 m
3)
of material per pass, however, when equipped with an optional blade, the
D575A-3 SD is capable of moving up to 125 cubic yards (96 m
3)
per pass. The D575A-3 SD includes major changes to the frame,
powertrain, undercarriage, and blade, making it substantially different
from the D575A-3.
In comparison to its predecessor, the D575A-3 SD includes a
significantly re-designed operator cabin and powertrain electronic
control system to increase productivity and a number of durability
improvements including reinforced undercarriage roller guards, simpler
hydraulic plumbing and longer-life hoses, seals, wiring harnesses, and
connectors.
Transportation
Due to its immense size, the D575A must be broken down into component
form when it is moved from one job site to another. Moving all the
components requires six to eight truck loads
See also
Notes
References
- Arabe, Katrina C. (2001-02-01). "No Bull About It: The World's Largest Dozer". ThomasNet News Industry Market Trends. Thomas Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-24. "...the Komatsu D575A is unquestionably the world's largest and most powerful bulldozer."
- Haddock, Keith (2002). "Chapter 2 Crawler Tractors and Bulldozers". In Glaser, Amy. The Earthmover Encyclopedia: The Complete Guide to Heavy Equipment of the World. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: Motorbooks. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7603-2964-1. Retrieved 2010-10-24. "In 1981 Komatsu presented the D555A at the Conexpo equipment exhibition in Houston, Texas."
- "Komatsu America Corp - Equipment - D575A-3SD". komatsuamerica.com. Komatsu America Corp. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-24. "Net power SAE J1349 1,150 HP"
- "Komatsu: Crawler Dozers - Construction and Mining Equipment". komatsu.com. Komatsu Ltd. 2005. Archived from the original on 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-24. "With specified blade, giant ripper, ROPS and cab"
- "Komatsu upgrades its Super Dozer". Off Highway Engineering Online. SAE International. December 2001. Archived from the original on 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-24. "...the operator still has a lot to do with productivity, the company focused first on the operator environment"
- Moore, Walt (1996-04-01). "Checking up on the world's largest dozer". Construction Equipment. Construction Equipment. Archived from the original on 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
"...The first to go to work was purchased in early 1995 by the Princess
Beverly Coal Co. in Cabin Creek (near Charleston), W. Va."
- Orlemann, Eric C. (2002-06-13). "Chapter 1 The Living Legend". In Palmer, Kris. Colossal Caterpillar The Ultimate Earthmover. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: MBI Publishing Company. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-0-7603-0874-5. Retrieved 2010-10-24. "These giant dozers first started field testing in North America in 1989..."
External links
