Compact construction equipment is having a moment right now and with good reason. These machines are beneficial in small sites because of their size and maneuverability. During CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 (CONEXPO), many manufacturers launched or previewed new machines of many kinds. Among them were compact models including skid steers, track loaders and wheel loaders. However, some larger models were also announced, including large dozers. So, what are the new details around some of these larger machines, and how can they benefit contractors and operators?
Larger Models
More power, more push and more traction are some benefits of larger dozer models.
“The DD130 [previewed during CONEXPO], the latest addition to the DEVELON dozer lineup, builds on the success of the DD100 by incorporating many of the popular features found in its smaller counterpart. The DD130 dozer delivers more horsepower, better tractive effort and superior pushing power to help operators move more material and get more work done efficiently,” said Jacob Sherman, dealer and product marketing manager at DEVELON. “The DD100 is a 10-metric-ton dozer, while the larger DD130 weighs approximately 13 metric tons.”
They also “improve jobsite productivity and lower operating costs on the industry’s toughest and most challenging jobsites,” according to Matt Goedert, solutions marketing manager, roadbuilding, for John Deere. John Deere’s dozer lineup includes two large dozer models, the 950K and the 1050K. The 1050K has a 13.5-liter engine producing 350-horsepower (hp) (261-kW) and weighs 95,400 pounds. (43,270 kilograms).
The 950K dozer is available in both outside dozer and PAT blade configurations.John Deere
“The 950K dozer is available in both outside dozer and power angle tilt (PAT) blade configurations, making it the industry’s largest six-way blade. The 950K PAT weighs 73,700 pounds. (33,431 kilograms) and is capable of doing large-scale dozing work while also being versatile enough to complete fine grading tasks over large areas,” Goedert said.
Casey Zbinden, product marketing manager for Komatsu, says that all Komatsu dozers in the D65/85/155 family offer contractors outstanding power, economy and reliability.
Komatsu D155AXi-8 dozer, part of the D65/85/155 familyKomatsu
Attachments
In addition to their size, the attachments available for dozers are expanding. From shake buttons to remove material to increased blade capacity and simplified coupling, manufacturers are listening to their customers to improve the productivity and efficiency of their dozers.
“The 1050K [blade was] redesigned … to better match the capabilities of the machine. We made the blade over 6 inches wider and reshaped the radius of the blade to roll and carry more material. Both changes increase blade capacity and make the machine more productive, pushing more material every pass than the previous design,” Goedert said.
He continued discussing a preview of the 1050 P-Tier. “We continue to listen and react to our customers’ feedback. [The 1050 P-Tier] shows that. The machine will feature a redesigned blade linkage and a shorter mainframe, both allow the blade to be moved back over 17 inches reducing the overall length of the machine. This also will improve the machines’ balance and make it easier for operators to grade smoother.”
The 1050K has a 13.5-liter engine producing 350-hp and weighs 95,400 pounds.John Deere
The DEVELON DD130 dozer offers two blade sizes: a standard 4.6 cubic yard blade or an optional 5.5 cubic yard capacity blade.
“The dozer blade moves freely to lift, tilt and angle, and 2-way mechanical adjustments can change the blade pitch to control how steeply the blade will dig into the ground,” Sherman said. “Operators can adjust the dozer blade pitch from 52 degrees to 58 degrees. To further enhance the operator’s experience, the DD130 is available with a blade shake button ...[that] enables operators to quickly remove materials that may become stuck to the blade, thereby maximizing productivity.”
Zbinden explained that the Komatsu D155AX-8 has semi-U and full-U blade options and blade capacity up to 15.6 cubic yards. The D155AX-8 has variable multi-shank and variable giant ripper options.
The DD130 dozer delivers more horsepower, better tractive effort and superior pushing power when compared to the DD100.DEVELON
Safety & Operator Comfort
With the need to maximize safety and to retain experienced operators, the cab environment and safety capabilities matter now more than ever. Camera systems, improved seating for comfort and minimized cab vibration are a few of the improvements that manufacturers have made.
According to Zbinden, LED lights and a light for the ripper (when equipped) are new safety enhancements for Komatsu large dozers. In addition, a rearview camera monitoring system is standard and displays the view behind the dozer on a large, color monitor in the cab.
Visibility is another safety improvement important to operators.
“One of the biggest differences between the DD130 dozer and other brands is the visibility to the machine’s blade,” Sherman said. “The front engine compartment of the DEVELON dozer offers a narrower design to make it easier for operators to see their work and perform tasks with increased precision.”
The John Deere 1050 P-Tier also prioritized visibility and seatbelt safety.
“A notable change on the next generation 1050 P-Tier shown at CONEXPO was the lowered hood. This increases the glass area of the front window, [improving] visibility to the front of the machine,” Goedert said. “The 1050 P-Tier will also incorporate an operator presence system that will not allow the parking brake to be disengaged unless an operator is in the seat with the seatbelt fastened.
A surge in designs to improve operator comfort is occurring. “The most notable change on the [1051K] was the addition of the suspended double bogie undercarriage to provide exceptional operator comfort. This undercarriage update provides dampening of vibrations when working in rough terrain and rock,” Goedert said of the John Deere 1050K dozer.
The DEVELON DD130 dozer offers two blade sizes: a standard 4.6 cubic yard blade or an optional 5.5 cubic yard capacity blade.DEVELON
New Tech
Automation, grade control, emission minimization, telematics and fleet management are all priorities for contractors to improve efficiency, productivity, uptime and return on investments. For helping less experienced operators, grade control is a game changer.
“The DEVELON DD100 and DD130 dozers are available with a 2D grading system option to make precision grading easier, even for novice operators. The 2D grading system is accessible on the Smart Touch display in the DEVELON dozer cab,” Sherman said.
Goedert agrees that grade control is an integral part of today’s dozers. “SmartGrade reduces operating costs by fully optimizing machine performance and production throughout the entire job cycle. Advanced features like Auto SmartGrade integrate the grade control system with the machine’s power management system and control the blade based on engine load, making this system easy for operators of all skill levels.”
For fleet management and data to improve productivity and uptime, equipment telematics are requirements now instead of options. All the manufacturers discussed the importance of this technology.
“John Deere’s JDLink is included on all large dozers and enables machine information to be visible in a digital environment called John Deere Operations Center. In the operations center, [operators’ teams] can monitor machine health, maintenance plans, fuel usage and operating parameters. Using data gives customers insight to make decisions,” Goedert said.
Most manufacturers also include technology to monitor and decrease emissions from diesel engines.
“Tier 4 machines use diesel particulate filters to burn off engine soot via regeneration. To help make sure it rarely impacts operations, all Komatsu D65/D85/D155 models use continuous passive regeneration and active regeneration that typically doesn’t require the dozer to stop,” Zbinden said.
