In late January, Tasmania’s Clarence City Council took delivery of a new Komatsu GD555-5 grader – its first purchase of a Komatsu machine in close to 20 years.
Clarence City Council is one of three councils comprising the greater Hobart area, and is located on the eastern shores of the River Derwent; more than one-third of the council area is untouched natural bushland.
According to Garry Oates, Clarence City’s Fleet and Workshop Co-ordinator, the new Komatsu grader will be primarily used for the council’s own road maintenance program, as well as carrying out some construction works.
Garry said there were a number of reasons the council opted for the Komatsu GD555-5 grader.
“After discussions with our operator Shane Bell, one of the main things in favour of the Komatsu grader was its visibility to the blade and work areas,” said Garry.
“He also loves the automatic/direct drive transmission.
“And in terms of weight, the Komatsu grader falls midway between the operating weight of our previous machine, and that of the next size up in that range.
“Before making the decision, we went with Shane to a few other Tasmanian councils which already had Komatsu graders, and he was able to trial them, as well as talk to other operators – who were really happy with their machines.
“After discussions with our operator Shane Bell, one of the main things in favour of the Komatsu grader was its visibility to the blade and work areas.
“While we haven’t bought Komatsu for many years, this product came out as the most suitable for our needs – and the price was right,” said Garry.
“In arranging delivery of the machine, in late January, our local Komatsu rep Doug Fulton was really good; nothing has been too much trouble for him.
“He also brought over Komatsu’s operator trainer Frank Allen to assist Shane in the first few hours.
“While we’ve only had it a few days, Shane has been very pleased with it so far,” he said.
Garry said there were a number of reasons the council opted for the Komatsu GD555-5 grader.
“After discussions with our operator Shane Bell, one of the main things in favour of the Komatsu grader wasits visibility to the blade and work areas,” said Garry.
“He also loves the automatic/direct drive transmission.
“And in terms of weight, the Komatsu grader falls midway between the operating weight of our previous machine, and that of the next size up in that range.
“Before making the decision, we went with Shane to a few other Tasmanian councils which already had Komatsu graders, and he was able to trial them, as well as talk to other operators – who were really happy with their machines.
“After discussions with our operator Shane Bell, one of the main things in favour of the Komatsu grader was its visibility to the blade and work areas.”
“While we haven’t bought Komatsu for many years, this product came out as the most suitable for our needs – and the price was right,” said Garry.
“In arranging delivery of the machine, in late January, our local Komatsu rep Doug Fulton was really good; nothing has been too much trouble for him.
“He also brought over Komatsu’s operator trainer Frank Allen to assist Shane in the first few hours.
“While we’ve only had it a few days, Shane has been very pleased with it so far,” he said.