New Dash-11 Komatsu Loaders Look the Business

It’s quite rare for me to cover wheeled loaders on the Digger Man Blog, no real reason for that, except that I’m more of an excavator man, although I do realise, they are an essential work tool in many sectors of our industry.

Having said that, following the official launch of the new Komatsu Dash-11 models at Bauma, I also encountered the WA485-11 in Finland during the Mansen Mörinät event at the premises of Finnish Komatsu dealers Suomen Rakennuskone Oy and was impressed with what I saw.

The new generation wheeled loaders are powered by a newly-developed in-house built diesel engine that is combined with a Komatsu-designed hydro-mechanical-transmission (HMT). Komatsu claim that this combination, results in “unmatched performance, power reserves, fuel efficiency and ease of operation”.

The engine meets EU Stage V emission standards thanks to a Komatsu diesel particulate filter (KDPF) and a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system, requiring AdBlue. The diesel particulate filter needs to be replaced only every 8,000 hours, and this interval can be extended by using particularly low-ash engine oils.

The WA485-11 is claimed to be 29% more fuel efficient than its predecessor, the WA480-8.

A constant variable gear ratio keeps the engine in a highly efficient fuel zone, Komatsu says, while the variable speed control makes it possible to adapt the machine's maximum speed to the requirements of the task. The adjustable variable traction control effectively limits wheel spin in difficult ground conditions.

Compared to the WA480-8, the WA485-11 has been given an upgrade in payload and bucket capacity. All machine components have been adapted to a permanent payload of 8,800 kg and can be increased to 9,300 kg in an aggregate handling variant.

Another new feature is the variable power control, which enables the lifting speed to be controlled independently of the accelerator pedal. The optimised Z-bar linkage offers up to 20% more lifting power and a higher production rate of tonnes per hour, the manufacturer says, while the hydraulic response time and tipping/lifting speed can be adjusted to specific application requirements.

Checkout this promotional video featuring the New Generation Komatsu loaders.