Engine Komatsu D355
The pipelayer is equipped with a Komatsu SA6D 140-2 four-stroke in-line six-cylinder diesel engine, liquid-cooled, turbocharged. The engine displacement is 15.24 liters. The cylinder diameter is 140 mm, the piston stroke is 165 mm. The power of this power unit is: gross (SAE J1995) - 277 kW (377 horsepower), at a rated speed of 2,000 rpm; net - (ISO 9249 / SAE J1349) - 265 kW (361 horsepower), also at 2,000 rpm.
The Komatsu SA6D 140-2 diesel engine is equipped with direct diesel fuel injection, a mechanical fan, an air cleaner, an alternator, a water pump, a lubrication pump, a muffler and a fuel pump, and a mechanical all-mode speed controller. Lubrication is carried out by forced means, using a gear pump; The system has a full-flow filter. The dry air cleaner with automatic dust extraction ensures longer filter element life and has a dust indicator to simplify regular maintenance.
Pipelayers of this model are equipped with autonomous internal combustion pre-heaters, which heat up the diesel engine, power transmission and battery box. The electric heater, with an external power source, is capable of always maintaining the power unit in a warm state.
Torque Flow Transmission
Komatsu's proprietary Tork Flow progressive transmission reliably provides easy and smooth gear changes, as well as instantaneous forward and reverse shifting.
As part of the original Komatsu TORQFLOW transmission -
- three-element, single-stage, single-phase liquid-cooled torque converter;
- gearbox with planetary gear and multi-plate clutch with hydraulic drive and forced lubrication.
The transmission is designed to ensure optimal heat dissipation. Gear shifting (three forward gears and three reverse gears), as well as forward-reverse switching, is done using a single lever. At any time on the work site, it is possible to set the optimal speed of the special vehicle in relation to the specific work being performed. Accidental starting - the start of the special vehicle from a standstill is prevented by the gear shift lever lock and the neutral locking safety switch.
The speed of movement of the pipelayer is: forward: 1st gear – 3.5 km/h; 2nd gear – 6.2 km/h; 3rd gear – 10.5 km/h; reverse: 1st gear – 4.2 km/h; 2nd gear – 7.7 km/h; 3rd gear – 11.2 km/h.
The final transmission is with a 2-stage gearbox consisting of a spur gear and a planetary gear. It extremely weakens the impact load on the power transmission units. The segmented sprocket rims are secured with bolts, making them easier to replace in the field.
In order to reduce the deforming load on the transmission units, the manufacturer of the pipe layer provides rotation transmission through spur and planetary gear mechanisms. To quickly change the segmented drive sprocket, a bolt-type fastening is used.
Steering system
Multi-disc oil-filled steering clutches are lever-operated, hydraulically driven and require no adjustment. The steering band brakes are oil-filled and foot controlled. They are equipped with a hydraulic booster, which ensures light touch control and long service life. The minimum turning radius of the pipelayer is 4.67 meters.
Oil-filled steering clutches and brakes increase service life. They are interconnected, and this allows for quick maneuvers in response to movement of the steering lever.
Frame, suspension and chassis of the pipelayer
The design of the pipelayer uses a box-section track roller frame and a rigid suspension made of high-strength steel. The rollers and idlers feature track shoe bushings that are lubricated to last their entire service life. The supporting rollers and guide wheels are hermetically sealed with floating seals.
Original dust seals that effectively prevent abrasive particles from entering the gaps between pins and bushings, thereby increasing their service life. Track tension can be easily adjusted using the grease pump. The protective shields of the rollers (central and lower) reliably prevent various abrasive materials and large stones from getting inside the caterpillar drive.
- The number of shoes is 42 pieces on each side of the chassis.
- The number of support rollers is 8 pieces on each side.
- The number of support rollers is 2 pieces on each side.
- The lug height is 88 millimeters.
- Shoe width (standard version) – 860 mm.
- The supporting surface area is 64.5 thousand cm2.
- Ground pressure – 94.1 kPa, 0.96 kg/cm2.
The Komatsu D355 pipelayers use exactly the same chassis as the bulldozers of this manufacturer. Thanks to its exceptionally high strength, repeatedly tested in practice, operational efficiency and ease of maintenance, it can be used for a very long time and is unpretentious to difficult working conditions.
Modifications
The D355C-3 is the most productive of similar pavers from Komatsu. The concern also produces its modifications D85C-21, D155C-1. Their inherent carrying capacity is less - 41–72 tons, respectively. Otherwise, the machines are the same type of basic pipelayer.
During operation, the operator controls only three levers equipped with a hydraulic servo drive to perform installation actions. The design of the winch allows you to select the required speed of movement of the object. All installations of modifications are equipped with automatic equipment, which limits the lifting of the boom, ensuring safe operation. The chassis is designed so that it has a margin of stability.
Video: Komatsu D355C pipelayer in operation.
Working equipment for pipe laying
The Komatsu D355 pipelayer has a serious lifting capacity and is ideal for working on large pipelaying sites and areas, wherever pipe laying with a diameter of more than 48 inches is required. The working radius of the pipes with which this special machine works is from 1.3 m to 8.5 m.
The hook speeds (with an empty drum) on lifting and lowering are the same - 6.8 m/min (low), 13.3 m/min (high). The boom has a box-section design. It is made of steel, which has high tensile strength, and is designed for heavy duty use. The wire-controlled boom is equipped with an automatic stop device at the maximum lift position, which prevents excessive lifting of the boom. The boom length is 8.56 meters. Its mass is 2.52 tons.
The special vehicle is equipped with a winch, the control of which is hydraulically driven; two drums; a reversing mechanism that allows you to simultaneously move both the hook and the boom. The hydraulic drive is equipped with a planetary gearbox. The dimensions of the parts of this winch are as follows: hook drum - 290 mm diameter x 334 mm width; boom drum 290 mm diameter x 166 mm. The cable capacity is equal to: hook (with attachment) – 20 mm x 95 m; boom (with attachment) – 20 mm x 65 m; hook (max) – 20 mm x 190 m; boom (max) – 20 mm x 80 m.
The counterweights are segmented plates weighing 1530 kilograms. There are six plates in total. The control is equipped with a hydraulic drive. The total weight of the equipment (including six plates, frame and hydraulic cylinders) is 12,900 kilograms.
A grooved-type drum for the hook cable with an optimized roller prevents uneven winding of the cable and reduces its lateral slippage at the edge of the drum. And the adjusted location of the drum roller helps to correct deviations in the direction of the cable at the beginning of winding. Rocking of the pipes and the possibility of their accidental damage due to sudden stops during the lifting or lowering process are prevented by hydraulic transmission on the hook movement drive.
Prices
The cost of a pipelayer depends on the year of its manufacture. Special equipment of the brand produced by the company already in this decade (i.e. after 2010) will cost the buyer 30 million rubles. And for variants produced in the 80s or 90s, the seller can ask for 4-10 million rubles, depending on the exact year of production, the amount of time actually worked and the actual condition of the copy.
In general, the model is distinguished by a high level of reliability, it is trouble-free, and the pipelayer also has a high level of autonomy, it is ready to work independently without the support of other special equipment. In Russia, an additional advantage of the Komatsu D355C model is its ability to work in a wide variety of conditions, including extreme conditions.
Control of the winch and other working equipment of the pipelayer
The Komatsu D355 pipelayer's hydraulic winch ensures consistent precision and smoothness in all operations. Easy-to-move, short-stroke levers facilitate precise control of pipe movement and prevent unintended swing and accidental damage.
The boom and hook control levers are independent, mounted on the same side along with the high and low speed controls, so both functions can be operated simultaneously with one hand. In addition, movement controls are located on the opposite side, which provide joint control of the movement of the special vehicle and the movement of pipes.
Exceptional controllability is achieved thanks to the hydraulic drive. 2 power transmissions with 2 drums reliably and independently control the boom and hook drives. This means that the implementation of each of the 2 functions does not need to be coordinated with the implementation of the other. The force is transmitted from the hydraulic motor through a multi-disc clutch, which is equipped with a braking unit.
Other technical characteristics in numbers
- Operating weight (together with all equipment: hook, boom, winch, counterweights, as well as the nominal volume of lubricant, coolant and diesel fuel) – 62 tons.
- The pipelayer's lifting capacity is 93 tons.
- Overall dimensions: total length – 6.03 meters; full width – 4.405 meters, cabin width – 1.57 m; maximum height 9.35 m (with raised boom and hook).
- The length of the support area of each caterpillar is 3.75 m.
- Track width – 2.55 m.
- Volume of technical tanks of the pipelayer: fuel tank for diesel fuel - 640 liters, coolant tank - 145 liters, motor oil - 42 liters, coupling (pump) - 1.7 liters, transmission (torque converter, gearbox, bevel gear and system steering) – 230 liters; final drive (on each side) – 68 liters; winch (gearbox) – 25 liters; hydraulic tank - 210 liters.
Purpose
The pipe layer is designed for installation of pipes with a linear structure. This special equipment is designed for installing pipe structures in all types of terrain. Among other things, it can work in off-road areas, including plains, mountains, deserts and swamps. The pipelayer is suitable for use in a variety of natural environments, including areas with both hot and cold climates.
Special equipment parameters:
- length six meters;
- width – 4.4 meters;
- height – 4 meters;
- support track length – 3750 millimeters;
- track track – 2550 mm;
- soil pressure indicator - 0.9 kilograms per square centimeter;
- The size of the pipelayer support surface is 6.45 m2.
The operating weight of the D355C-3 is 57,850 tons. Its carrying capacity (maximum) is 92 tons. The size of the fuel tank is 640 liters.
Cabin and workstation of the pipelayer operator
The pipelayer's steel cab provides the operator with ample space and comfort. A powerful and high-performance heater is capable of keeping the interior of the cabin warm even in extremely cold weather and severe frosts. The cabin sealing is very good, providing decent not only heat protection, but also dust and noise and vibration protection.
The cab of the Komatsu D355 pipelayer is largely glazed, and thanks to this, the operator of the special vehicle has the opportunity to have a complete overview of everything that is happening on the site where his special equipment is working. Also, the operator always has maximum visual control of the individual components of the pipelayer.
The manufacturer equips the cabs of pipelayers with emergency protection systems. For this purpose, steel inserts are used, reinforcing the entire cabin structure, and it is also possible to install protective grilles.
The controls for the movement and working equipment of the pipelayer are designed in full accordance with current ergonomic requirements - they are all quite convenient and located literally at hand. Integrated brakes and steering clutches provide responsive and trouble-free steering. The counterweight position control is located next to the operator's seat. This chair, equipped with a hydraulic suspension, helps you work long shifts productively and without fatigue.
The cabin suspension is based on viscous-type dampers, which significantly softens shaking and vibration loads on the workplace, creates a comfortable environment for the operator and increases the overall service life of components and parts.
The main control of the crane's actions: the movement of its boom and hook is carried out by three levers, which are connected to a hydraulic servo drive. Komatsu pipelayers are required to be equipped with a special monitoring system. The sensors that are part of it are located on devices that have electronic controls. The information received from this system is immediately quickly processed by the central unit and sent to the operator control panel of the Komatsu D355 pipelayer. Protection is built into the equipment, which makes it possible to avoid management errors. The lever used to switch the operating modes of the lifting mechanism has a special locking unit.
There is a torque indicator. It is a safety device that alerts the operator when the lift limit has been reached and also notifies him to adjust the boom position. A special alarm device for excessive lifting is designed to warn the operator about excessive lifting of the hook roller block, preventing damage to critical equipment components in cases of cable breakage. The Load Indicator maintains a high level of pipelay safety by helping the operator determine at a glance the acceptable operating range and rated load capacity based on boom angle.
Delivery features
You can buy a reliable pipelayer adapted for Russian operating realities and have service support if you contact any distribution center of the Japanese company. They offer a rental program, acceptable conditions for leasing equipment, and sell used equipment after performing branded maintenance.
Reliable operation of pipe layers of this brand is ensured only by the use of branded or company-recommended spare parts, lubricants and consumables. The supply of all this is regulated by the contract that the buyer enters into with a representative of the company upon purchase.
The price of special equipment starts at 7 million rubles. Komatsu's performance characteristics are constantly being improved - the concern's engineers are constantly working on this. The reliability of the equipment, its durability - all this makes the pipe layer the main mechanized tool for laying pipelines on highways with large diameters.
Reviews of pipelayers of this model
Operators of Komatsu D355 pipelayers often say that when they first met this heavy machine, they were wary of it. Massive, bulky, for which, it would seem, 360 hp. - it is not enough. But the skeptical mood quickly passes; during the work it turns out that, despite the enormous load capacity, the pipelayer itself is very stable and efficient in operation. You can easily get used to operating it in just a few hours, since the controls in the cockpit are minimal, and they all operate extremely accurately.
Areas of application
Komatsu brand bulldozers are considered the most popular in their class. They are distinguished by compact dimensions and a wide range of useful functions, allowing them to be used in different directions.
The scope of application of such equipment is quite diverse:
Komatsu D355
- removing the required size layer of soil;
- profiling of embankments;
- construction of dams and dams;
- leveling any surfaces;
- digging trenches.
Increasingly, bulldozers of this model are used in the mining process, as well as when transporting heavy loads over short distances.
