KOMATSU LAUNCHES LATEST GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY AT 2014 BOOTS ON CUSTOMER EVENT

"The response from our customers attending the event has been that they are very excited by the new technologies we are introducing"

In late November, Komatsu Australia used its fourth BOOTS ON customer day at the HPOTS Training facility in Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter Valley, to introduce customers to its latest groundbreaking technology innovations.

More than 80 customers from around Australia, as well as from New Zealand and New Caledonia, were hosted by Komatsu, with highlights including the customer field day, some spectacular jumps over an HM400-3 dump truck by motocross champion Jackson Strong, and a gala dinner following the field day.

BOOTS ON 2014 was an opportunity to give the first public showing of three new product lines:

Its new D61EXi/PXi-23 range of "intelligent" dozers, which feature fully integrated machine control systems, for significantly increased productivity, accuracy and efficiency compared with "bolt-on" machine control systems.Its recently released HM400-3 articulated dump truck, offering a number of advances over its predecessor models, as well as other ADTs on the market.Two new low-emissions utility wheel loaders, the WA70-7 and WA100M-7, giving significantly reduced fuel consumption and operating efficiency. Customers were able to see all these machines as well as a full line up of other equipment in Komatsu's construction and utility product ranges in operation at the HPOTS Training site. They were also able to jump into the cabs and operate equipment.

David Small, Komatsu Australia's General Manager, Construction, said that the BOOTS ON concept was specifically targeted at introducing customers, and potential customers, to the latest new technology developments from Komatsu.

"We deliberately don't host a BOOTS ON event every couple of years, but only when we feel we genuinely have something new and innovative to offer our customers," he said.

"For example, at previous BOOTS ON events, we have introduced our market-leading KOMTRAX remote monitoring system, our first Dash 8 Tier 3 excavators, our Dash 6 loader range, our new PZ loader linkage system, and most recently in 2011 our unique Hybrid excavator range.

"And this time, we wanted to take the opportunity to launch our groundbreaking intelligent dozer range, which has the potential to completely change the way dozer operations and capabilities are perceived across construction applications," he said.

"The response from our customers attending the event has been that they are very excited by the new technologies we are introducing, and they certainly appreciate the chance to try out a full range of Komatsu equipment in actual operating conditions.

"From our point of view, the concept works very well for us, letting us talk directly to our customers about our latest innovations, and giving them an opportunity to provide us with feedback on the sorts of products and services they are looking for from Komatsu," said David.