Komatsu Releases an Impressive Redesign of the WA800 and WA900 Loaders

Komatsu redesigns two new loaders for increased efficiencies and operator comfort

The WA800-8 and WA900-8 wheel loaders were designed for mining, quarry, and aggregate applications and boast efficiency gains over the previous models in their classes.

The WA800-8 features an EPA Tier 4 Final Komatsu engine with a gross horsepower of 856hp @ 2,025 rpm (638 kW); an operating weight of 254,700 lb. (115,530 kg); and a bucket capacity of 15 cu. yd. (11.5 cu. m.). This wheel loader’s design is optimal for 60-ton to 100-ton trucks.

The WA900-8 also features an EPA Tier 4 Final Komatsu engine and boasts a gross horsepower of 899hp @ 2,050 rpm (671 kW); an operating weight of 256,618 lb. (116,400 kg); and a bucket capacity of 15 cu. yd. (11.5 cu. m.). This wheel loader’s design is optimal for 70-ton to 150-ton trucks.

Fuel economy has improved on these units through Komatsu’s Closed Center Load Sensing Hydraulic System (CLSS), which keeps hydraulic oil cool and provides better fuel economy. Another fuel-saving feature is the throttle lock, which improves cycles times by maintaining high work-equipment performance and saves fuel with auto-deceleration.

Another highlight of these newly designed loaders is their impressive breakout force. The WA800-8 offers a breakout force of 155,117 lb. (70,360 kgf) with a standard boom, while the WA900-8 has a breakout force of 158,511 lb. (71,900 kgf) with a standard boom and a breakout force of 169,754 lb. (77,000 kgf) with a high lift boom.

“Our really impressive breakout force is the result of our Komatsu Z-bar linkage,” Witkowski says.

The new loader linkage design has an increased arm plate for maximum structural durability.

The frames of the loaders have been fully redesigned for increased durability.

“This is a total redesign on these loaders with a heavier, more robust frame,” says Darren Chvojka, mining sales representative for SMS Equipment. “With this frame, you have a backbone you don’t have to worry about. It provides the durability for the designed breakout forces.”

These loaders also offer improved visibility to the face of what an operator is breaking into, and the fill factor has increased with the new design, offering a better overall dig profile, Chvojka says.

“All those things equate to more productivity with your bucket,” he adds.

The two new loaders feature Komatsu’s Modulation Clutch System that provides operators precise rim pull control, allowing operators to make smooth, quick and tight cycle loading patterns while keeping equipment speeds up.

Operator comfort

Komatsu completely redesigned the operator environment for increased comfort and reduced operator fatigue with its large, ROPS/FOPS certified operator’s cab.

Features of the cab include a fully adjustable, higher capacity air suspension seat (heated and ventilated); four settings of shock adjustment control; and an electronically controlled suspension system (ECSS) that provides a smooth ride for better travel performance, reducing operator fatigue and material spillage during operation.

The redesigned cab offers excellent visibility for the bucket working area and features KomVision radar obstacle detection.

“The KomVision radar system gives the operator a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the working area on a dedicated monitor. The radar provides audible and visual alerts to the operator when an object is detected in a working area,” Witkowski says.

Additional safety features include reduced decibel levels inside and outside of the operator cabs; catwalks and handrails on the counterweight and in front of the cab for easy maintenance and daily operator checks; anchored tie-off points (ISO 14567) located around the machine to provide technicians locations to attach service lanyards; and standard LED lights with 22 different lights.

“All these things offer time reduction and make it as easy as we can for maintenance staff and operators to keep equipment running at optimum performance,” Witkowski says.

Automation

Komatsu has also added a variety of automated features to help operators keep their production numbers high while helping to reduce operator fatigue through a v-cycle.

These include the Automatic Dig, Semi-auto approach, and Semi-auto dump features.

With the new Automatic Dig system, once the bucket penetrates the pile, the bucket will automatically lift and tilt back, allowing for those maximum bucket fill factors. The Semi-auto approach and dump system automatically raises the boom when the unit is put into reverse after digging in the piles. It will automatically dump the bucket and raise the lift arms with the press of a button. The bucket will automatically level and the lift arms will return to the lowered boom position setting.

“It’s important to note these operations are monitoring wheel rotation so the lift arms will not lower until the bucket has cleared the truck,” Witkowski says. “All of these features really come down to letting the operator focus on the movement of the loader.”

These systems can be enabled or disabled based on operator preference.

“We know a lot of the more seasoned operators have a lot of pride in the way they work, so they can choose to disable those features if they choose to do so,” Witkowski says.

By offering improved efficiency and operator comfort on the WA800-8 and WA900-8 wheel loaders, Komatsu continues to bring the latest innovations to wheel loaders for aggregate and mining applications.

WA800-8

EMISSION RATING

Tier 4 Final

NET HORSEPOWER

854 HP @2,025 rpm (637 kW @2,025 rpm)

MAX OPERATING WEIGHT

254700 lb (115530 kg)

MAX BUCKET CAPACITY

15 yd³ (11.5 m³)

More Details

WA900-8

EMISSION RATING

Tier 4 Final

NET HORSEPOWER

899 HP @2,050 rpm (671 kW @2,050 rpm)

MAX OPERATING WEIGHT

256618 lb (116400 kg)

MAX BUCKET CAPACITY

15 yd³ (11.5 m³)

More Details

Watch Product Walkaround