Hyundai Dozer Ticks all the Boxes

At a recent test drive event for machine operator journalists and social media influencers, I took the opportunity to spend some time on the new Hyundai HD130A dozer.

Throughout my career as a machine operator, I never really spent any significant time on dozers, having always been more focused on hydraulic excavators. I have spent the odd day on one pushing over a tip but that’s about as far as my dozing experience goes. However, when I get a chance of a play on one, it’s always and enjoyable experience.

The Hyundai HD130A weighs in at around 15-tonne so competes in the D6 size class, a size that is always a good all-round tractor capable of a variety of dozing tasks.

Power comes from a Stage V emissions compliant 4-cylinder diesel engine which offers a power output rating of 117kw (157hp). The hydrostatic transmission provides “smooth control of speed and torque while enhancing ease of operation,” Hyundai says. Its maximum travel speed is 5.6 miles per hour.

The controls are the new norm, electro-hydraulic which in all fairness in this application I didn’t find to be too bad. Also fitted as standard is a 2D grading system which can be set to control the blade. The blade movement, slope and tilt can be adjusted to suit via the monitor screen.

The standard 6-way, variable angle pitch blade is about 12 feet wide with a maximum angle of 25 degrees. In addition, a blade float function aids in fine finishing or back grading, not that any self-respecting dozer operator would be seen back blading of course!

I found the ROPS/FOPS cabin to be a nice place to spend a shift, with excellent all-round visibility, especially noticeable with the full-length glass doors, a sloping and relatively narrow front bonnet further enhances visibility to the blade area, all controls are nicely located and all within reach.

All in all, I felt this dozer, which is essentially the same unit as the Develon, was well up to the job, and will no doubt be competitively priced on the market, I walked away from it feeling pleasantly surprised with its quality.