Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Komatsu HM400-3 2014 Review

The car industry is pretty cocky about its systems to look after your car. Diagnostics have come a long way, so have car electronic control modules (computers) and 'consumable' components all designed to drive down the cost of ownership. 

But it's nothing compared to what's going on in the heavy earth moving equipment arena where they have internet monitoring for vehicle servicing and useage to the point where operators/manufacturers can tell precisely how a piece of equipment is being used from the on board Komtrax system.

LEADER

Komatsu is a leader in this sophisticated 'telemetry' field and also leads in other high-tech 'eco' and guidance systems to optimise a vehicle's productivity and working life. Its machines have comprehensive information and communication technology with multi-mode readout screens. 

The Japanese company has just launched a whole bunch of new diggers, dozers, excavators and trucks with the latest features to move a mountain with maximum efficiency.

So it was off to Cessnock NSW, heart of the Hunter Valley coal mining industry, that we ventured to take a squizz at these powerful machines in particular, to drive a new Komatsu HM400-3 articulated dump truck.

SMALLER

It's not the big 360-tonne rigid unit you see rumbling around open cuts but is a 'smaller' articulated vehicle (bends in the middle) with a cab up front for the driver and engine and a load tray behind.

Mind you, that thick steel tray handles 40 tonnes or 24 cubic metres of material . Even so, the HM-400-3 can be driven at decent clip on site at speeds up to 56kmh.

It has a 15.2-litre, six cylinder, 338kW turbo diesel engine for easy uphill hauling and steers by pivoting the cab section rather than turn the front wheels.

The transmission is automatic with D just like a car and many other controls are car-like including the rear view camera, decent audio system , air conditioning with filter and...suspension seat.

BRAKING

This particular model has a new retarder system on the front and middle axles that takes pressure off its brakes when fully laden. Most braking is on the middle axle for stability, and not the front or rear.

It has electronic traction control for boggy conditions, two drive modes and hydro-pneumatic suspension. Drive goes to all six wheels.

We will admit right here and now to knowing little of the intricacies of these of vehicles apart from seeing them at road construction sites and around coal mines where they are used in more difficult work environments. It's a whole other world with some cross over into the sphere of mainstream passenger cars.

DRIVING

We have long held a desire to drive one - a bit like a kid driving a fire truck.

On walk up, it's bigger than you think with a multi-rung ladder to gain access to the driver's cab with centre driving position.

When you swing into the drivers seat you notice it has air suspension to isolate the potentially bumpy ride.

The steering wheel is truck like and the controls including gear selector and all switchgear has a familiar commercial vehicle look.

Ignition is by button start and to get under way you select D and push the accelerator on the floor. There are two pedals - stop and go.

But the steering takes some getting used to as it demands plenty forethought and responds slowly to input - because the whole cab and front of the truck is moving from side to side.

The drive truck has about half a load and if you didn't look, you wouldn't know it was there.

We rounded some turns on rough gravel roads, negotiated some sharp gullies and went over some small hills and, after a while, started to get the hang of it.

The brakes are particularly impressive for this monster that weighs in at 74 tonnes fully laden.

Previous heavy equipment we have sampled was fairly rudimentary in terms of creature comforts but this Komatsu is luxurious in comparison. We even hooked up our iPhone to play some music on the drive.

At one intersection we had to make a panic stop to avoid running over a ute but that was child's play for the big Komatsu.

Peter Barnwell
https://www.carsguide.com.au/authors/peter-barnwell

Share

View cars for sale
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.