The turning radius of the GD955-7 allows it to make U-turns in the width of a standard haul road.
Komatsu
Bearing-type circle reduces downtime
In rugged environments like mines and quarries, maintenance can be a challenge, so Komatsu designed the new grader to reduce maintenance needs as much as possible. Central to that is the use of a bearing-type circle, which cuts maintenance downtime significantly.
“When you have to stop the machine and manually grease every 50 hours, replace wear plates or make circle play adjustments every 500 hours, that adds up pretty quickly,” Witkowski says. “With the adoption of this bearing-type circle, we eliminate the need for those wear plate replacements and circle play adjustments.”
The change has led to a 21 percent reduction in maintenance time, he adds.
A Graco auto-lube system is standard on the GD955-7, meaning operators don’t lose time greasing individual points before the day’s work. A maintenance service point includes fill and evac ports for all vital fluids, providing a central location for daily service.
Fingertip controls reduce hand and arm movements for easier operation
The GD955-7 cab includes air suspension, heated and ventilated seats, and a control layout that gives operators all the controls they need at their fingertips. Rather than the traditional rack across the front of the cab, all the work equipment controls are placed at the end of the armrest, retaining a similar functionality without the reach.
“These operators spend a lot of time in the cab, so we want them to be as comfortable as they can be – a comfortable operator can be more efficient,” Witkowski says. “We’re seeing up to a 92 percent reduction of hand and arm movements related to the ergonomic position of the fingertip work controls when compared to the traditional antler rack style configuration.”
An auto-articulation return to centre feature straightens the machine to a neutral articulation position with the press of a button. When engaged, auto differential lock provides additional traction while managing turning performance, switching the feature off and on when steering input is detected to prevent tire drag.
KomVision, a five-camera vision monitoring system, gives operators bird’s-eye visibility to the immediate working area on a dedicated monitor inside the cab and can be paired with an optional rear-view camera on its own monitor for even better views of the work site. A standard LED lighting system includes 14 lamps, along with an LED access lamp and service light, to promote visibility around the machine.
The GD955-7 is equipped with Komtrax telematics, which continually monitors machine health and maintenance and allows fleet managers to review grader conditions remotely, reducing unplanned downtime while providing valuable data to improve operations.
All in all, the GD955-7 is a big, heavy, and powerful motor grader that remains surprisingly maneuverable.
“This ultimately translates into a more productive job site – if haul roads aren’t clean and level, those impacts can affect the entire haulage operation,” Witkowski says. “Potholes, ruts, and obstructions can impact truck productivity as well, increasing the risk of unplanned maintenance downtime. This grader helps mitigate those challenges while promoting a smooth haulage operation.”
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