Komatsu D475: technical specifications, description, review

Komatsu D475A-5 is a Japanese heavy-duty bulldozer with large dimensions and weight. The model combines the best technologies of the brand: a chassis complemented by K-shaped carriages, increased protection from external influences when working in extreme conditions, a powerful turbocharged unit and a durable design. The bulldozer has found wide application in the Far North, where it has established itself as a machine capable of coping with any task.

The design features of the Komatsu D475A-5 guarantee high performance and reliability of the equipment. The main components of the model are produced by the Japanese company independently. Due to this, the quality of the equipment remains at a high level.

Komatsu D475A-5 is a universal bulldozer. The main purpose of the machine is layer-by-layer development and movement of soil. The features of the model are reflected in the scope of application. The Komatsu D475A-5 can often be seen on construction sites and in remote areas where mining and mineral extraction take place. In difficult conditions and large volumes of work, a bulldozer is indispensable.

The model is also used to perform the following tasks:

formation of embankments, dams, dikes, trenches;
surface leveling;
cleaning the work area from foreign objects, trees, stones, stumps;
removal of large volumes of soil, backfilling of quarries and trenches.

Komatsu D475A-5 is also used for road construction and repair. But given the large dimensions of the equipment, its use in this direction is limited.

The bulldozer (like other models of the brand) can be equipped with rippers, extenders, slopes, openers and other replaceable equipment that expand the scope of its application.

DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

Komatsu D475A-5 combines the best developments of the popular Japanese brand. The heavy bulldozer is equipped with a chassis with K-shaped carriages, additional protection from external influences, a comfortable working area and a powerful turbocharged engine. Such features allow him to cope with any tasks. Since the Japanese manufacturer produces most of the design elements independently, the quality of the final product always remains at the highest level.

The dimensions of the Komatsu D475A-5 leave an imprint on the scope of its use. The main purpose of a bulldozer is to move large masses of earth, rocks, materials and layer-by-layer development of soil. The machine shows maximum efficiency when performing complex tasks. Design features make it possible to use the equipment in remote areas during the development and extraction of mineral resources, construction and repair of roads. The bulldozer is actively used in the Far North. Komatsu D475A-5 is also used for leveling surfaces, removing large volumes of materials and soil, and clearing areas of foreign objects, stumps and stones. However, large dimensions can cause some inconvenience during transportation.

Design and operating features

The Komatsu D475A-5 uses a simple, heavy-duty frame. The bulldozer is built according to a design similar to other products of the Japanese manufacturer.

The frame of the road wheels is cylindrical and made of high-strength steel. The swing-type suspension with a king pin and balance beam makes the structure more stable and durable. The model is equipped with a new chassis with K-shaped carriages, which provide a number of advantages:

the combination of caterpillar tracks and road wheels has been improved thanks to new technology, which has a positive effect on the durability of the chassis;
K-shaped carriages maintain constant contact with the track, reducing stress on individual parts of the undercarriage.

The new chassis retains its previous advantages. Due to the low location of the drive and the long caterpillar track, the machine, despite its size and weight, climbs hills well and has good stability. Track belts with unique dust seals are unpretentious, since foreign objects and dirt cannot enter the gaps between the pin and the bushing.

Chassis characteristics:

number of shoes (on each side) – 39;
lug height – 93 mm;
supporting area – 4.68 sq.m.

The hydraulic system has a capacity of 405 l/min. The hydraulic valves are located on the outside of the hydraulic tank.

Hydraulic system characteristics:

type of hydraulic cylinders – piston, 2-way acting;
capacity (blade control) – 120 l;
capacity (control of loosening equipment) – 70 l.

The bulldozer is equipped with multi-disc onboard clutches and wet brakes that do not require adjustment. They are controlled by a handle and pedal. For ease of operation, the brakes and clutches are interconnected.

The bulldozer is equipped with a Torqflow hydromechanical transmission (manufactured by Komatsu), which includes a liquid-cooled torque converter and a standard planetary gearbox, complemented by a multi-plate clutch. The main feature of the Komatsu D475A-5 transmission is a single-stage 3-element torque converter that reduces shock loads. The gearbox is equipped with a hydraulic drive and is lubricated under pressure. There is also a neutral lock switch and a gear lock lever for safe operation.

The Komatsu D475A-5 is equipped with a spacious cabin with the following features:

visibility of the entire workspace;
large interior capacity;
presence of an air conditioning system (as an option);
the possibility of ordering the cabin in a sealed version with maximum protection against dust entering the cabin.

Special viscous damping mounts on which the cab is mounted improve the comfort of movement on uneven terrain by absorbing vibration and shock loads.

Equipment used with bulldozer:

large capacity dump (hemispherical or spherical). The side cheeks and front sheet are made of high strength steel;
single-shank ripper with adjustable ripping angle;
Multi-shank ripper with parallelogram linkage and 3 shanks.

Preventive maintenance of the Komatsu D475A-5 is simplified through the use of the following technologies:

modular power transmission design;
grouped service nodes;
convenient location of control points;
additional protection of hydraulic system pipelines.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions:

length with standard blade and ripper – 11565 mm;
width – 3480 mm;
height at the top of the exhaust pipe – 4240 mm;
cabin height with protective structure – 4590 mm;
track base - 4365 mm;
minimum turning radius – 4600 mm;
ground clearance - 655 mm.

The mass of the bulldozer with a full fuel tank is 78,780 kg. Operating weight with basic equipment, full fuel tank, ROPS and driver is 102,500 kg.

For Komatsu D475A-5, 4 blade options have been developed:

hemispherical;
spherical;
hemispherical with double skew;
spherical with double skew.

Blade characteristics

(hemispherical/spherical/hemispherical with double skew/spherical with double skew):

height – 2690/2610/2690/2610 mm;
width – 5265/6205/5265/6205 mm;
dump capacity – 27.2/34.4/27.2/34.4 cubic meters;
maximum lifting height – 1620/1620/1620/1620 mm;
maximum depth into the ground – 1010/1010/1010/1010 mm;
maximum skew adjustment – 770/905/1145/1350 mm;
weight of bulldozer equipment – 16500/18500/16800/18800 kg;
bulldozer length with blade – 8700/9200/8700/9200 mm;
specific pressure of the bulldozer with a blade on the ground – 162/166/163/166 kPa.

The bulldozer can be equipped with a single-tooth or multi-tooth ripper with an adjustable skew angle and the following parameters:

weight with hydraulic control device – 7300/9720 kg;
length – 1477/3085 mm;
maximum lifting height above the ground – 1140/1140 mm;
maximum soil cutting depth – 1800/1180 mm.

The single-shank ripper is designed for working with hard rocks. The multi-shank ripper is suitable for lighter soils and allows you to cover a larger area in one pass.

Refill containers:

fuel tank – 1670 l;
engine – 121 l;
coolant – 275 l.

Control

The KOMATSU D475A-5 multi-ton bulldozer is controlled using small joysticks. For example, the blade is controlled using a unit built into the armrest, which is height adjustable. The main device for this is a joystick with a PPC (proportional pressure control) valve. The hydraulic system is also involved in the process. Thanks to all this, it is possible to precisely regulate the angle of inclination of the blade or its double skew.

To control the movement of the bulldozer, another joystick is used, located on the left side of the panel. You can change gears using buttons. The entire control panel is connected to a chair that can tilt and swivel in both directions by 15° for better visibility. The maneuverability of the soft chair is necessary so that the operator feels comfortable when the machine is tilted or in reverse.

The KOMATSU D475A-5 is equipped with a variety of sensors that constantly monitor the operating conditions of the machine and control the brakes and clutches. So, due to electronic control, the machine moves smoothly, and its movements remain precise at any angle of inclination.

Comfort

When designing equipment, Komatsu engineers always care about the comfort of its use. KOMATSU D475A-5 is one of the striking examples of this. After all, the operator’s comfort during work largely determines his productivity and the final result. Therefore, the bulldozer is equipped with a hexagonal cab with large tinted windows providing a wide view. Air filters are installed inside, thanks to which dust and other particles cannot penetrate inside during operation. Also, the thresholds and the floor are at the same height, making cleaning quite convenient. And so that the operator is not disturbed by noise, the inner surface of the KOMATSU D475A-5 cabin is lined with sound-absorbing material. This way it is possible to achieve a noise level inside of 70 dB.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the damper mounting of the cab with K-shaped carriages of the running gear. This system allows you to absorb most of the vibrations and shocks that are transmitted from the machine during operation and movement on uneven surfaces. In addition, operator visibility to the rear of the blade has been improved. To achieve this, the position of the seat and the shape of the blade itself were changed, as well as the shape of the exhaust pipe. Therefore, the operator can work even more accurately.

ENGINE

Komatsu D475A-5 is equipped with a modern Komatsu SDA12V140 diesel engine, providing the power necessary for heavy work. The unit is equipped with a turbocharger, water cooling, direct injection and a charge air cooling system. A special fan with hydrostatic drive ensures efficient cooling of the system. Its frequency is adjusted taking into account the temperature of the hydraulic oil and coolant. To reduce noise levels, the motor is mounted on a frame using rubber cushions. Another feature of the unit is that there is no need to adjust the fuel supply when operating at altitudes up to 3000 m.

Komatsu SDA12V140 engine parameters:

volume – 30.48 l;
power – 641 (860) kW (hp);
maximum traction force – 1200 kN;
number of cylinders – 12;
cylinder diameter – 140 mm.

Performance

The KOMATSU D475A-5 bulldozer belongs to the 100th traction class and is one of the most productive models. Its turbocharged and aftercooled engine can produce 872 horsepower at 2,000 rpm. The machine has a blade volume of 27.2 m3. By additional order, you can make it double skewed. This will significantly improve productivity with less operator effort. If you add to this the impressive weight of the bulldozer at 100.1 tons, it turns out that it is suitable for loosening the hardest rocks.

By additional order, the KOMATSU D475A-5 can be equipped with:

single-shank parallelogram ripper for hard rock processing;
parallelogram-shaped multi-shank ripper with adjustable ripping angle, three legs and hydraulic drive.

A pleasant surprise for owners will be an engine cooling fan with a hydrostatic drive. The latter allows you to automatically adjust the rotation speed depending on the temperature of the oil and coolant. This saves fuel and provides higher productivity.

Advantages and disadvantages

The strengths of Komatsu 65 include the following characteristics:

high quality of execution of all parts and components;
decent power;
low fuel consumption;
good maneuverability;
ease of maintenance;
compliance with international environmental safety standards.

Flaw

The Japanese bulldozer has only one - this is its high cost. A person who intends to purchase it must prepare in advance for significant financial expenses for the purchase of parts and maintenance of the machine.

DEVICE Komatsu D475A-5

The simplified design of the main frame gives the Komatsu D475A-5 body additional rigidity. The crawler carriage has a monoblock design with a pivot pin. Another feature of the model is its exceptionally low profile and low center of gravity, resulting in excellent stability.

The chassis of the machine has many similarities with other Komatsu products. K-shaped boats, swinging on 2 axes, reduce shock loads and help extend the service life of equipment. When driving on uneven surfaces, the chassis dampens shocks and vibrations, which increases operator comfort. There is virtually no slipping of the shoes, so the grip on the ground remains constant. The tracks are equipped with dust seals to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the gaps. The tension is adjusted using a grease gun.

Chassis parameters:

number of road wheels (on one side) – 7;
number of support rollers (on one side) – 2;
number of tracks (on one side) – 40;
base track width – 710 mm;
lug height – 105 mm;
track width – 2770 mm;
surface contact area – 6,198 cubic meters;
specific pressure on the ground – 125 kPa.

Optionally, other sizes of tracks are available:

width – 810/910 mm;
surface contact area – 7.071/7.944 cubic meters;
specific ground pressure – 111/99 kPa;
additional weight – 870/1800 kg.

The speed mode of the bulldozer is regulated using the TORQFLOW transmission, which is the Japanese brand’s own development. It consists of a planetary gearbox and a 3-element torque converter with a lock-up clutch and a water cooling system. To increase performance, the system automatically engages the lock-up clutch, allowing full power from the engine to flow to the transmission. The forced lubrication system ensures optimal heat dissipation.

Speed ranges:

1st gear – 0-3.5/0-4.7 km/h;
2nd gear – 0-6.3/0-8.4 km/h;
3rd gear – 0-10.9/0-14.3 km/h.

Komatsu D475A-5 is equipped with a spacious sealed cabin that prevents dust from entering the cabin. An optional air conditioner is available. The bulldozer is controlled using joysticks. At the same time, optimal conditions are created for the operator for long-term work without fatigue.

Modifications and features

The series is represented by 2 modifications:

Komatsu D475A-3 (weight – 99980 kg, base blade capacity – 45 cubic meters, engine power – 650.5 kW);
Komatsu D475A-5 (weight - 108390 kg, base blade capacity - 34.4 cubic meters, engine power - 664 kW).

Features of the Komatsu D475A-5 model:

An optional double-skew blade makes the dozer the best in its category in terms of productivity;
modernized track link design;
powerful and economical power plant of our own production;
track slip control function improves traction (optional);
the low profile and crawler carriage, made as a single unit with a kingpin, increase the stability of the bulldozer;
lockable torque converter and automatic fan reduce fuel consumption;
new hexagonal cabin with a large interior and air conditioning;
modified steering mechanism with modulating valve and electronic control.

Easy to maintain

When creating the KOMATSU D475A-5 bulldozer, easily accessible equipment inspection and maintenance points were created. For example, the torque converter and transmission oil filters are located near the powertrain dipstick. The VHMS system is used to constantly monitor the condition of the bulldozer. It analyzes the quality of operation of the main components and displays the results for distribution specialists to review. Thanks to it, routine inspections of cars do not take so much time, and the cost of repairs is reduced from time to time.

To quickly detect faults, the bulldozer cabin has a self-diagnosis monitor. If problems arise, the red light and user code begin to flash, and a sound signal also sounds. The engine compartment has gullwing side covers. Thanks to them, engine maintenance and oil changes are greatly facilitated.

Conclusion

The benefits of using KOMATSU equipment in Russia are explained by the presence of official dealers of this brand in our country. Therefore, in the event of any breakdowns or simply for maintenance, you can always receive specialized assistance that meets all international standards. Such high-quality service allows you to minimize equipment downtime, and, consequently, losses. Thus, the use of modern world-class machines gives enterprises serious savings in the long term.