Komatsu

Komatsu Australia has recently delivered a new WA250PZ-6 wheel loader to Wodonga TAFE’s National Industrial Skills Centre – providing trainee operators with access to the latest state-of-the-art loader technology. more

A team from Komatsu Australia recently accompanied V8 Supercar superstars Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Steven Richards on a tour of mining centres in North Queensland – hosting the TeamVodafone and Ford Performance Racing Team for a week in August, when the drivers were on a six-week racing break during the Olympics. more

Komatsu Australia is proud to release a new line of quality and stylish merchandise covering clothing, sportswear, bags and accessories outlined in a new catalogue, Komatsu “the collection”. more

Paul Chenery, who is Komatsu Australia’s NSW Major Accounts Manager, Construction & Utility, is responsible for providing sales support to the company’s major account customers – covering the construction, quarrying and recycling industries throughout the state. more

One of the highlights of this year’s Institute of Quarrying (NZ)/Aggregate and Quarry Association (NZ) conference, held in early July in Auckland was a smorgasbord of music and musical theatre put on by Komatsu NZ at the Auckland Town Hall over the past 40 years – conceived as a tribute to the organisation’s 40th annual conference. more

Komatsu Australia has released two crawler track skidsteer loaders, the 3.82 tonne CK25-1 and the 4.33 tonne CK35-1, providing increased versatility and higher capacity compared with conventional and competitive skidsteers. more

Komatsu Australia has recently appointed Karl Pettengell as its National Komtrax Administrator, responsible for the day-to-day supervision and management of the growing numbers of machines operating under the Komtrax remote machine monitoring system throughout Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. more

A major player in the east coast plant hire business, Maas Group, has set the standard by turning wholly to Komatsu excavators as a result of their performance, productivity, fuel efficiency and back up service. more

Divall’s Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage, a Goulburn-based construction contractor and quarry operation, has been finding its recently purchased Komatsu HM300-2 articulated dump trucks are ideal in challenging haulage applications. more

Tweed Coast contractor Ian Tagget has been buying Komatsu equipment ever since he started business back in 1984. "I’ve bought Komatsu since day 1," he says. more

Rail maintenance contractor M & J Kuipers has a fleet of four Komatsu PC40MR-2 excavators, fitted with "High Rail" systems and specialist attachments for carrying out maintenance for Australian Rail Track Corporation. more

Brad Young, owner of BJ Young Earthmoving, based in Paraburdoo, Western Australia, has learnt that he can trust Komatsu equipment – and the service and support that comes with it – while working in the remote Pilbara and Kimberly regions. more

Sydney-based Chetcuti Plant Hire has standardised on Komatsu mini excavators – due to ease of use and better operator "feel" – for its rock wall and retaining wall business. more

Queensland’s Dalby Regional Council – located about 200km west of Brisbane – has recently taken delivery of a Komatsu WA480-6 loader and HM300-2 articulated dump truck for its Jimbour Quarry. more

Sunshine Coast Quarries, based near Kenilworth 50km west of Noosa, Queensland, has converted all buckets on the site to the Komatsu KVX ground engaging tool system after an outstandingly successful trial on its Komatsu PC600LC-7 60 tonne face excavator in 2004. more

Hanson Construction Materials Bass Point quarry, located just south of Wollongong, has had a long and highly successful relationship with Komatsu, in particular its WA500 series of loaders – with its latest WA500-6 loaders described by Hanson’s maintenance team leader as a "dream to work on". more

Harding’s Earthmoving, a family-owned and run civil construction company based in Uki on the NSW North Coast – and which has been using Komatsu equipment since it was formed in 1981 – has received a number of awards over the years recognising the high quality and standards of its work. more

Four brothers whose father founded one of New Zealand’s largest mining and civil contractors from the 1960s through to the 1990s – built largely around Komatsu equipment – have set up their own company, again based around Komatsu. more

One Komatsu Finance New Zealand customer who’s very happy with the service and support he receives is Andy MacDonald, owner of Christchurch-based Advanced Excavating (2007) Ltd, who finds it "fantastic to deal with". more

Komatsu Australia has released the smallest in its Dash 8 excavator range, the PC130-8, a 13 tonne machine that incorporates all the advanced features of much larger excavators in the Dash 8 range. more

Komatsu Australia has released the hydrostatic drive WA320PZ-6 loader, extending its PZ linkage system that combines the benefits of Z-bar and parallelogram linkages in a single loader. more

Komatsu has recently clocked up an impressive lost-time injury (LTI) free record at Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), where it operates four PC8000 shovels. more

Three Komatsu excavators fitted with Sandvik breakers and demolition attachments are playing a key role in the demolition of a 17 storey building in Brisbane’s CBD between June and the end of August. more

Komatsu has released the D51EX-22 dozer, a 13 tonne, 97 kW hydrostatic drive machine fitted as standard with a straight PAT (power/angle/tilt) blade and factory plumbed to take Topcon 2D and 3D machine control systems. more

Karratha-based San Remo Plant Hire – which has just changed its name to Karratha Plant Hire to better reflect its area of operations – has had a fleet of Komatsu excavators – including a PC200-6 which is coming up to 20,000 hours – working on the recently completed Burrup Peninsula LNG project. more

Operator choice, along with service and backup, were key reasons for Narrabri Shire Council, based in the Namoi Valley of northwestern NSW, to purchase a replacement fleet of four GD655-3 Series II graders. more

This is an edited version of an article by Fiona Thomson that originally appeared in the May 2008 edition of "The Dirt". KCGM’s quarterly newsletter for employees, contractors and the community. Komatsu has successfully applied its continuous improvement program to its on-site operations Kalgoorlie’s Superpit, operated by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), which include responsibility for availability and maintenance on the mine’s four PC8000 shovels, as Fiona Thomson reports. more

Victorian-based Mintern Civil – a family-owned business going back about 75 years – is using its fleet of five Komatsu PC30MR-2 excavators in a major water pipeline project that will deliver high-quality reliable water supplies to western Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region. more

CDE Capital, one of the Northern Territory’s leading employers of indigenous labour, has recently purchased a fleet of Komatsu for mining and construction projects across the Top End, from the north of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. more

Operators with Main Roads Western Australia have been "wrapt" in the performance of their new Komatsu WB97R-5 backhoe, which was delivered in late January 2008. more

Mr Kunio Noji, Komatsu Ltd’s new President and CEO and Bill Pike, Komatsu Australia’s President recently launched the "Komatsu Way" program to the company’s Australian and NZ employees. more

Twenty five-year-old Jamie has been racing go-karts since he was seven, which he did as a "father/son thing" with his dad around tracks in Melbourne. more

Craig, who is now in his mid-30s, started his racing career at the age of 10, driving go-karts, before moving on to Formula Ford, and then Formula Holden in the early to mid 1990s. more

Following Komatsu Australia’s decision to become a major sponsor of championship winning V8 Supercar team Triple Eight Race Engineering, this edition of D2E magazine provides a special profile of the team’s star drivers, Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, and how they see their relationship with Komatsu. more

Komatsu Ltd has announced the release of the world’s first hybrid (electro-hydraulic) excavator, which went on sale in Japan on June 1, 2008, delivering fuel savings of between 25% and 40%. more

Komatsu Australia has released the PC1250-8 excavator/shovel, designed for applications in mining, quarrying and heavy construction. more

Komatsu NZ is substantially expanding and upgrading its customer support capabilities as part of a move to a more customer-focused approach that began some years ago. more

Upper Hutt-based contractor M&M Construction has recently purchased two Komatsu compact excavators following a trial period that showed them be superior to equivalent machines from other suppliers. more

Komatsu Australia has continued its support for the Beacon Foundation, with significant interaction between Komatsu employees and young Australians through Beacon programs including its highly regarded No Dole project. more

Central Earthmoving, a family-owned contractor based at Geraldton, WA, carries out very detailed research when selecting new equipment – resulting in it opting for Komatsu for all its recent purchases. more

Komatsu NZ has opened a new branch at Westport, on the South Island’s West Coast, as part of its on-going strategy of expanding its service and support capabilities throughout New Zealand. more

When recently established Auckland-based utility contractor Bodley Brothers needed to purchase new excavators, principals Doug and Corey Bodley asked around the industry, as well as applying their own experiences in the construction business over many years to come up with one answer: Komatsu! more

Divall’s Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage, a Goulburn, NSW-based company, has recently returned to buying Komatsu equipment, including excavators and articulated dump trucks, as a result of inferior parts and service backup from other suppliers. more

The product support and backing of the entire Komatsu organisation has kept Armidale-Dumaresq Council coming back to Komatsu equipment – with the council’s latest purchase being a PC18MR-2 mini excavator. more

Wollongong-based contractor Cato Constructions – which celebrates 20 years in business this year – purchased its first Komatsu machine 13 years ago on the basis of engineering quality, reputation as a distributor, and support. more

In early February, Leighton Contractors held a family open day at the Rotowaro mine site west of Huntly, where it operates the mine on behalf of Solid Energy. Komatsu NZ was a major sponsor of the day. more

Komatsu has released the D39EX-22 dozer, a 9 tonne, 71 kW hydrostatic drive machine featuring a "super-tapered" bonnet design said to give the best all-round visibility of any dozer on the market. more

Over the past 12 months, leading trans-Tasman civil contractor Fulton Hogan has purchased a significant number of Komatsu wheel loaders and mini excavators for its South Island operations – the first time it has purchased Komatsu products in the past few years. more

A strong relationship between Sydney contractor JCM Contracting and Komatsu’s Sydney utility representative Matt Watton – backed by the customer support team – has seen the company purchase six Komatsu excavators over the past four years. more

A fleet of 42 Komatsu 830E dump trucks – including 12 new trucks added in the past year – has been giving exceptional performance and availability at Zinifex Century Mine in Queensland’s Gulf region. more

A Komatsu BR380JG-1 mobile crusher owned by leading New Zealand contractor Higgins Contracting is playing a key role in the construction of New Zealand’s biggest wind farm to date, at Makara, southwest of "windy Wellington". more

Victorian landscaping and excavation specialist TreeLawney is in the process of trading its fleet of excavators across to Komatsu as a result of the company’s "faultless" service and support. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a number of upgrades to its GXX series of graders, delivering improved performance and reliability. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a significant expansion of its Queensland construction and utility operations, with the expansion of its support and representation in North Queensland. more

Western Australian plant hire company Forte Plant Hire has invested heavily in Komatsu articulated dump trucks and excavators over the past few years. more

A Gippsland, Victoria contractor has recently converted his excavator fleet to all-Komatsu due to the personalised service and support he receives through his local Komatsu Australia branch. more

Doug Hood Mining Limited, one of New Zealand's leading contractors and contract miners, has recently bought its first Komatsu dozer, a D155AX-6, for use at Solid Energy's Stockton Opencast Mine north of Westport. more

Two Victorian "committed scraper men" who recently switched to a combination of Komatsu articulated dump trucks and excavators for the productivity and cost-reduction benefits, used Komatsu Australia Corporate Finance to finance their new equipment fleet. more

Komatsu Australia has recently appointed Roger Beddard to oversee the process of managing tenders, supply contracts and pricing for its mining equipment division. This position is seen as a key role within the National Mining Group. more

Komatsu Ltd has announced plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, for the construction of its PC4000 400-tonne class mining excavators and shovels. more

Komatsu Australia has released the PC14R-2HS mini excavator, a 1.5 tonne short-tailswing machine featuring class-leading productivity and control, and ease of maintenance. more

Komatsu Australia has released the WA250PZ-5 wheel loader, fitted with a new "PZ" linkage system that combines the benefits of Z-bar and parallelogram linkages in a single loader. more

Hunter Valley-based mining and civil construction contractor Bowditch & Partners Pty Ltd is a family-based company that has successfully ridden the demand for construction and resources-based services over the past 16 years. more

Three new Komatsu D65EX-15 dozers have recently been delivered to the Soil Conservation Service Division of the NSW Department of Lands.  (SOILCON) more

Komatsu Australia has released the Dash 8 version of its 30 tonne-class PC300 excavator - and including a number of additional features as standard, with the aim of further driving down owners' operating costs. more

Three Komatsu machines - a D375A-5EO dozer,PC300-7EO excavator and PC450-7EO excavator - have delivered the highest levels of performance and reliability for a major industrial park complex in Sydney's Western Suburbs. more

A South Australian landfill operation has recently purchased an additional three Komatsu machines for recycling and resource recovery operations, based on key factors including safety, best-fit for the purpose and customer support. more

Komatsu Australia held a major customer event in early August, inviting construction sector customers from around Australia and New Zealand to a facility in the NSW Hunter Valley to view its latest new products and services. more

Delta Rent, one of Australia’s newest rental firms – formed in mid-2006 and specialising in hiring large construction and quarrying equipment – recently purchased a Komatsu WA600-6 wheel loader and a PC600LC-8 excavator as a package for use in its rental operations. more

A Komatsu WA600-3 wheel loader with around 19,000 hours was recently rebuilt to as-new condition for Boral’s Dunmore Quarry, south of Wollongong, by Komatsu Australia’s Fairfield branch more

One of Australia’s fastest-growing pipeline contractors, Eco Civil, runs a substantial fleet of Komatsu equipment, as part of its role in constructing some major Queensland water infrastructure projects. more

Komatsu Australia has released new versions of its 27 tonne and 36 tonne capacity articulated dump trucks, featuring new ecot3 technology engines, which deliver significantly lower emissions, improved fuel consumption and increased power and torque. more

J Swap Contractors Ltd – based at Matamata, NZ, south of Auckland – is a long-term customer of Komatsu NZ, and it was no surprise when the company added a new D155AX-6 dozer to its fleet in December last year more

Twelve months ago, Gladstone City Council, in central Queensland, replaced its earthmoving equipment with a new fleet of Komatsu machines – with a Council analysis showing lower whole-of-life costs for the Komatsu equipment. more

Jonathan Borthwick, Komatsu Australia’s Mining Sales Manager, East Coast, is part of the company’s mining sectors marketing team, based at Komatsu Australia’s new Mining headquarters, which recently relocated to a dedicated new office at Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane. more

Komatsu Australia has released a low-emission version of its successful BR380JG-1 crusher, the new BR380JG-1EO, featuring its ecot3 low-emission system, beefed up safety systems and improved hydraulics. more

The first short-tail excavator in Komatsu’s Dash 8 low-emission range has been released, with the launch of the PC138US-8. more

Brisbane-based owner-operator (and Speedcar racer) Barry Wixted bases his business around a Komatsu SK714-5 skidsteer and PC30MR-2 excavator – a combination he says is ideal for his plant hire work throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. more

With the on-going shortage of skilled earthmoving equipment operators, the construction industry increasingly has to take responsibility for training operators and other key trades required in the industry. more

Strong mining industry growth and the changing needs of the business has prompted Komatsu Australia to establish a dedicated mining office in the Brisbane suburb of Eight Mile Plains. more

The customer support and assistance provided by a Komatsu Australia team in delivering a complete fleet of mining equipment to a remote Western Australian island has won strong praise from BGC Contracting, the contract miner on the project. more

Komatsu Australia (KAL) has been awarded the prestigious 2007 Komatsu Presidents Award. more

Komatsu Australia has just released the PC2000-8 mining excavator/shovel, a 200 tonne unit that replaces the PC1800-3 excavator/shovel, and which offers lower operating costs, increased fuel efficiency and the highest levels of operator safety. more

In December 2006 Komatsu Australia launches its new Customer Direct service, allowing customers to directly contact Komatsu's total customer support team from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call, simply by calling 1300 KOMATSU (1300 566 287). more

Most people don't know you can own a brand new Komatsu mini excavator from under $200 per week. When you compare this to the cost of hiring, which starts from around $300 per day, the benefits of ownership really start stacking up - even for semi-regular excavator users. more

Komatsu Australia has released the HD785-7, a 100 US ton capacity dump truck, featuring the highest horsepower and brake retardation in its class, a variable horsepower engine system for greater fuel efficiency, and the largest, most comfortable cab on the market. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a Dash 6 update to its general construction loader range with the release of the WA380-6 loader, offering significantly improved fuel efficiency, better balance and increased operator comfort. more

Komatsu Australia is part-way through delivery of a large dozer and truck order to the largest truck-and-shovel coal mine in Australia, Rio Tinto’s Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) mine. more

South Australia's Coorong District Council, around 100 km south east of Adelaide, has recently taken delivery of its fifth item of Komatsu equipment in the past three years – based on machine reliability, the ease of doing business with Komatsu Australia and operator preference. more

We profile Gary Steen, one of three Komatsu Australia customer support sales representatives based in our Fairfield branch. Gary, who started with Komatsu 15 years ago, is one of Komatsu Australia’s longest-serving and most successful customer support people, a role he first took on when he was appointed Sydney product support representative in 1998. more

Komatsu Australia’s Newcastle branch recently achieved a milestone in lost-time injury-free days, when it went past 1200 LTI-free days in July. more

Komatsu Australia has opened a new branch in Cairns, North Queensland, with facilities including an 850 sq m fully equipped workshop, a 150 sq m parts storage area and an office, staffed by two fitters and two parts interpreters. more

Komatsu Australia has donated parts and components worth nearly $500,000 to Hunter TAFE’s Kurri Kurri campus, for use in training of heavy vehicle plant mechanic apprentices. more

A Beacon Foundation project, in association with the East Kimberley-based Wunan Foundation, has been established in the East Kimberley region to develop construction industry-based skills for young Aboriginal people. more

Carl Grundy has been appointed Komatsu Australia’s new national sales manager, utility, responsible for the sales and marketing of Komatsu’s range of mini excavators, compact wheel loaders, backhoe/loaders and skidsteers. more

Over the past 12 months Komatsu Australia has established Komatsu Utility Central (KUC), an assembly and distribution centre for its utility range of products, allowing it to prepare and deliver machines faster throughout Australia, with a higher standard level of build quality and workmanship. more

Komatsu Australia has just released the PC2000-8 mining excavator/shovel, a 200 tonne unit that replaces the PC1800-3 excavator/shovel, and which offers lower operating costs, increased fuel efficiency and the highest levels of operator safety. more

Komatsu Australia has just released the Dash 6 version of its popular WA500 wheel loader – the latest in its range of ground-breaking Dash 6 wheel loaders, powered by its ground-breaking low-emission ecot3 engine, transmission and hydraulic technology. more

Komatsu Australia has released two new quarry and heavy construction machines in its advanced new Dash 8 excavator series. The new excavators are the PC600LC-8 (60 tonnes) and the PC850SE-8 (80 tonnes). more

Penrice Soda Holdings Ltd, Australia`s only manufacturer of soda ash, has recently entered into a "power-by-the-hour" contract with Komatsu Australia for the supply of a complete fleet of dump trucks, wheel loaders and excavators, plus a dozer, water trucks and grader, for its Angaston limestone quarry in South Australia`s Barossa Valley. more

Komatsu Australia is in the process of introducing some major changes to its safety management system to assist everyone in the company to better manage workplace health and safety. more

Steve Jones Hardware and Landscape Centre, a leading Brisbane landscaping materials supplier has recently taken delivery of Australia`s first two WA100-5 wheel loaders, following good performance from its previous loaders -- two Komatsu WA75-3s.