The very first Komatsu forklift was born in 1945. After this, already in 1972, North America received its cars and appreciated the Japanese manufacturers.
Various engines can be installed on this type of equipment: diesel, gas or gasoline. This factor determines the differences in power and load capacity. Each type of engine has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Thus, the use of a diesel unit allows the use of lower quality fuel, which means minimizing costs.
Technical characteristics of Komatsu forklifts
Positive qualities of Komatsu loaders:
- The very first thing worth noting is the isolation of the driver's cabin .
It is not combined with the supporting frame, so a person does not feel vibrations, which almost always occur during operation of the equipment. This makes the equipment most attractive to buyers, since other manufacturers do not have similar designs. - When creating the device, galvanized wheel bolts are used , increasing the load capacity up to 8 tons. They help extend the service life and increase the safety of use.
In addition, maneuverability increases and it becomes possible to work in all weather conditions. - The reliability of the technical equipment has been significantly increased . This is achieved by strengthening the rear suspension.
- During production, attention is paid to every detail, so the plant has earned the trust of many customers .
Depending on the modification, Komatsu forklifts can have a load capacity from 500 kg to 45 tons. They can reach speeds of up to 16.5 km per hour.
Compared to other types of equipment, fork units are more environmentally friendly, economical, and easier to maintain and operate.
The kit includes a hydraulic system that allows you to lift the load even at idle. The loader can also be equipped with an additional device in the form of attachments.
It is worth noting that Komatsu occupies a high position in the market and is among the top five. To create equipment, 4 production facilities are used, one of which, located in Tochigi, supplies to Russia.
Characteristics of Komatsu electric forklifts
As for electric forklifts, there are three- and four-wheeled vehicles. Three-wheeled vehicles (FВ15М-12, FВ18М-12, FВ20М-12) have a minimum load capacity of 1.3 to 2 tons. On these models, the manufacturer installed a traction electric motor of 4.5x2 kW, and a pump electric motor of 9 kW. In terms of dimensions and characteristics, the models in this group are similar to similar gasoline or diesel cars. All forklifts are equipped with a counterweight for greater stability. Four-wheeled models have a load capacity of 1.5 to 2 tons (FB15-12, FB18-12, FB20A-12) and from 2.5 to 3 tons (FB25EX-11, FB30-11). If in the first models the value of the traction motor is also 4.5x2 kW, and the pump electric motor is 9 kW, then in the latter it is higher. For example, the FB30-11 loader is maximally capable of lifting 3 tons; for this, the manufacturer installed a 9.7 kW electric motor and a 12.6 kW pump motor.
If you are going to buy a Komatsu forklift, you will have to pay about $10,000 to $25,000 for used equipment, and the price of new machines produced in 2013 reaches $50,000.
Using modifications in development
Japan is always one step ahead when it comes to introducing new technologies into the production process, and Komatsu forklifts have not been left behind. Constant updating of technology allows us to achieve maximum improvement of designs.
Do you know how to make a cultivator from a chainsaw with your own hands, and what materials are needed for this? After reading this article, you will decide which electric trimmer is best for your area.
Some of the modifications:
- AX 50 series. After modification, this series significantly increased its performance and environmental friendliness.
New design solutions made it possible to increase the uptime by 40%. A new cooling system was also created. Its use helps maintain optimal temperature in any operating conditions. - Series BX 50 109. After its appearance, this technique managed to earn many diplomas and awards for technical performance and design.
The devices use special tires equipped with air holes on both sides. Thanks to this, it became possible to reduce the size of the case. - RE series. Loaders in this series do not have the highest load capacity, but they are effective when performing various operations.
The main advantage of this technique is the two-stage mast. Its use helps to reduce the time of lifting loads, and therefore speed up work.In addition, the equipment has good maneuverability, a small turning radius, ergonomic controls and a powerful battery.
Based on fuel type, Komatsu forklifts are divided into:
- gasoline;
- gas;
- electrical;
- diesel
The use of the first two types is advisable for open areas, for example, for unloading and loading various goods from wagons, containers, trucks, and so on.
When using gas, money savings are achieved, because liquefied fuel is much cheaper than gasoline. This type of fuel is better than others in terms of environmental indicators, but the power of such an engine is noticeably lower.
Diesel is especially popular in Russian latitudes. Its demand is determined by its ability to operate uninterruptedly in any weather.
To reduce noise, vibration, emissions of various substances into the atmosphere and to save fuel, modern high-pressure pumps are used. True, all of the above can only be achieved by using high quality diesel fuel.
Loaders with an electric motor have distinguished themselves as environmentally friendly equipment, so they are most often used inside buildings and structures of various types. During operation, the device is almost silent and maneuvers well.
To increase operating time without recharging, manufacturers began to use asynchronous motors.
Competition in the market
Of course, you can find many different makes and models of forklifts on the market for this equipment, but are they all that good? One of the strongest competitors is Toyota.
It, like all manufacturers, has its pros and cons, and the price category is not very different from Komatsu. So you just need to make the right choice.
If the buyer is not satisfied with the high cost of a forklift, he can pay attention to Chinese analogues. But it is worth remembering that Chinese products have proven themselves to be short-lived.
Having saved once, you can spend even more on repairs and purchase of parts in the future.
Diesel forklifts
Electric forklifts
• No exhaust emissions. Electric forklifts are powered by electrical energy sources, eliminating workers' exposure to potentially harmful exhaust emissions. • Reduced maintenance costs. Electric forklifts require no waste disposal (such as engine and transmission fluid) • Operator ergonomics: An electric forklift produces less noise and vibration, reducing operator fatigue. Reduced repair costs. Electric forklifts have fewer moving parts to maintain and repair. • AC motor technology also eliminates the need for brushes, eliminating the risk of sparks and improving speed control. • Reduced long-term fuel costs: Electric forklift batteries can be recharged. While the upfront costs of batteries and chargers can be expensive, the return on investment over time is typically greater than with fuel.
Some disadvantages of electric forklifts:
• Although electric forklifts have a lower fuel cost over their lifetime, their initial cost is higher. • In addition to the cost of the battery, a place to charge and clean the battery must be provided. • Downtime that occurs when the battery is not charged.
Forklifts with fast combustion engine
• Flexible Application: Fast combustion engine forklifts are good indoors and outdoors. They work well in any weather. • Multi-shift use. To operate multiple shifts when using electric forklifts, it is necessary to purchase additional replacement batteries. These batteries also take up additional space on site, reducing efficiency and increasing operating costs. • Lower initial cost: Gasoline, diesel and CNG forklifts are typically purchased when fueling stations are available within the business. • Easy to refill: For gas-powered forklifts, no long charging period is required. The operator can easily replace the gas cylinder in 5 minutes.
Some disadvantages of forklifts with a fast combustion engine:
• provision of ventilation in the warehouse due to harmful emissions • operator fatigue due to noise and vibrations • Maintenance, repair and fuel costs over the service life must be taken into account
What are Komatsu forklift attachments?
Each model of equipment can be equipped with additional devices, or they will be included in the original package. So, for more convenient work, a device for lateral displacement of the forks can be used.
Sometimes block mechanisms are used. Some machines are equipped with a container gripper, such as tanks or drums.
There are other types of grips:
- inclined type;
- rotary – for work in warehouses;
- for loading and unloading rolls and bales , as well as for their transportation;
- with top weight clamps.
Attachments
- A brush is an effective and simple device for cleaning premises and industrial areas from dirt, snow, debris and loose building materials. There are three types of brushes - road, rotary, utility.
- Fork extensions – increase the convenience of loading and unloading goods. Thanks to them, there is no need to service the truck on one side, or transfer the cargo to the opposite side, or move pallets manually. Fork extensions or telescopic forks help to avoid this situation.
- Barrel gripper is a highly effective means for storing cylindrical objects - barrels. It is an automatic barrel grip with paws that firmly compress the walls of the barrel, preventing it from slipping out during transportation over long distances. The barrel grab can be attached directly to standard forks, without the need to dismantle them.
- The side shift carriage is a kind of side shift that makes the loader more productive and uninterrupted. It improves the accuracy of load positioning. In this case, there is no need for maneuvering due to the displacement of the forks of the cargo axle.
- Fork positioner – changes the amount of fork opening in automatic mode. To do this, a special lever is used, which also controls the movement of the forks to the desired width. It is noteworthy that thanks to automation, the operator does not need to leave the cab, because full control of the forks is exercised from the cabin.
- The gripper is a simple device that is a useful assistant in working with loads of various shapes - for example, barrels, bales, boxes and other objects that are not usually placed on pallets.
- The rotator is another simple device that actually has great potential. It is a hydraulic motor that comes into operation if the basic performance is not enough. In addition, the rotator is very effective in changing the position of loads in the vertical plane.
- A load pusher designed for loading objects from one side - from the rear or from the side. For example, you need to load another box into a wagon or truck bed. To keep the lying load out of the way, you can move it using a pusher, which will push it to the opposite side. This way, it will be possible to provide additional storage space for another box. This facilitates and significantly speeds up the loading process.
- A rotator with unlimited rotation, with which the forks can be rotated around their axis. Rotation is possible up to 360 degrees, not only clockwise, but also counterclockwise. This device has proven itself in tilting loads - containers with vegetables or fish products, as well as crucibles with molten metal.
- Stabilizer – used to handle unstable and fragile loads that can easily be damaged or broken. The stabilizer is presented in the form of a clamping platform, above which a similar load mounted on pallets is fixed. This significantly improves driving safety.
- The pin is a simple component designed to reduce the operating costs of forklifts when working with large loads that are cylindrical in shape. It must be admitted that the pin is an affordable replacement for more expensive equipment.
- A crane boom used to move cargo in airspace. In this way they can be moved over long distances. Thus, thanks to the crane boom, there is no need for more expensive lifting equipment. The best option is a crane blockless mounted boom.
- The bucket is indispensable as a towing device. You can load anything into it - for example, snow, bulk materials, garbage and other unnecessary items. The bucket is compact and convenient, and it is powerful for removing large amounts of junk from a storage area.
- The rotary blade is another attachment for cleaning open areas and closed warehouse areas. The device copes with large snowdrifts, piles of scrap metal, and tons of bulk materials. This component is ideal for the Komatsu FD30T-16 due to its 1.5 ton lifting capacity.
- Solid wheels are a worthy alternative to worn-out standard wheels that quickly fail. The optional solid tires are made in the usual way - the main components are a metal wheel and a rubber tire. The main features lie in the deep tread of the wheels, improved traction properties, as well as increased load capacity due to the heavy weight of the tires.
The most popular Komatsu forklifts
Komatsu FD18 T-21
This model has a small power reserve. Its design load capacity is 1,750 kg. The machine is equipped with special limiters that operate under increased load.
Attention! The device can lift loads to a height of up to 3 m.
Thanks to its small width (only 1,070 m), the loader can navigate narrow aisles. The manufacturer has established a warranty period of uninterrupted operation of up to 2,000 operating hours.
The machine uses diesel fuel to operate. For such a unit you will need to pay a lot of money - about 1 million rubles, but it is worth it.
Komatsu BXFG 25T-16
With a load capacity of 2.5 tons, the unit can reach speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour (when installing a gasoline engine).
The loader is equipped with either an automatic or manual transmission.
The parking brake provides additional convenience. The lifting height of various loads is 3 meters. You can buy a Komatsu forklift of this type for 520 thousand rubles.
Komatsu FB15-12
This type of loader operates using a 9 kW electric motor. Continuous operation time is 5 hours without recharging. The machine can lift loads with a maximum weight of up to 1.5 tons to a height of up to 3 meters.
The unit has a smooth running and variable speed. The price of Komatsu forklifts of this type reaches 550 thousand rubles.
