Doosan unveiled new iron, telematics technology and a new sponsorship in a press event Tuesday in New York City.
New York City you say? Well, if you happen to see the 122-year-old Korean company’s logo on a banner in Yankee Stadium this summer, that will explain the press conference venue. But there was a new articulated dump truck and a beefed-up telematics platform to talk about as well.
Let’s start with the iron.
The upgraded 30-ton articulated truck, the DA30-5 features a new front suspension and rear tandems similar to the company’s DA40 artic. The hydro-gas, self-leveling front suspension brings greater driving comfort and smoothness, especially when the bed is empty.
The hydro-gas cylinders are connected to pressure accumulators and replace the earlier versions’ shock absorbers and rubber springs. The front suspension is also self-leveling, and the driver can change the ride characteristics of the truck by adjusting the pressure. In the long run, the adjustable suspension and smoother ride is more advantageous to productivity, says Aaron Kleingartner, marketing manager.
Doosan also improved the capabilities of its unique rear tandem/single rear axle/tandem bogie drive system by bringing the design and manufacture in-house rather than off-the-shelf. Instead of six brake systems the new tandem only has four, which reduces maintenance. The new design also uses a common oil in the tandems and rear differential to make inventory and service intervals less complex.
Operator comfort drove a lot of the changes in the cab design of the DA30-5, says Kleingartner. Big-boot guys will find more space between the pedals and an easier to clean footwell. New air vents in the floor help keep the large, glass-wrapped cab from getting too hot in the summer. A new display panel features larger icons for easier readability. Doosan also upgraded the vehicle control unit with a more powerful processor for faster toggling through menus.
There’s a grab bar on the right side of the cab and a new lever for retarder steering. Electronic mirror adjustments are standard, and Doosan has wired the cab, so the customer can put in a second rear-view or side-view camera if he so desires. You’ll also find automotive like finishes in the cab, a new bracket on the right side for a CB radio, a USB charger and a 12V/24V power socket. A bottom pivot point for the windshield wiper arm (rather than the top) helps clean the line of sight better in the lower windshield corners.
The DA30-5 is powered by a 370-horsepower Scania diesel engine run through a ZF transmission. It uses selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to reduce exhaust emissions but does not need a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in North America.
Servicing improvements include a new battery cut off that is controlled from ground level. There is also a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) purge-completion function to make sure the DEF is fully drained from the lines even after the engine is shut off. Without this, there is the DEF could freeze inside the lines on cold nights making start up difficult the next day.
As with previous generations of the DA30s, Doosan kept the articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution up front even during max steering articulation and a free-swinging rear tandem bogie for equal weight distribution to all six wheels. According to the company, the forward turning point and sloping rear frame avoids the need for electronic traction control technology.
New telematics
Doosan has had a telematics system since 2008, but it’s new DoosanConnect telematics system provides greater machine-to-machine communication, machine intelligence and remote equipment monitoring, says Kleingartner. It uses a dual-communication strategy transmitting and receiving information by cellular or satellite signal, automatically choosing whichever is available so you don’t have to worry about your telematics going down if you operate out of range of cell service.
The telematics will report fleet status, machine location, operating hours, fuel use, fuel and DEF levels, idle time vs. work time, error codes, engine and hydraulic oil temperatures, load counts and weights, and tonnage hauled. You can also set up geo-fences and time fences to restrict where and when a machine can be used. Different operators can customize machine settings to suit their operating preferences.
Fleet management is greatly improved with the use of telematics, says Kleingartner. “It helps the customer determine if he has the right mix of products on the worksite and if, has the right size machines. This makes him more efficient with how they are managing their fleet.” The telematics will also help managers train operators in how to use the machine more efficiently, by monitoring the four different work modes, he says.
Shops and technicians can also get a one-stop view of all a machine’s vital signs, pending service intervals and fault codes, says Kleingartner. And if an operator calls in a problem with a machine, service techs can often use the telematics to diagnose the problem remotely and load up the needed tools and parts before heading out the field to repair the machine. This can save time—sometimes days—of delays by not having the techs drive all the way out to the machine, diagnose in the field, and then drive all the way back to the shop for parts and tools. Regular maintenance can also be scheduled and planned to best coordinate with the needs of operations.
DoosanConnect is standard on all the company’s equipment except for its two compact excavators. Subscriptions are free for 36 months and transferable to the next customer if you sell your machine.
And yes, baseball!
Doosan officially announced Tuesday a multi-year partnership with the New York Yankees, adding to Doosan’s existing sponsorship portfolio, which includes relationships with Major League Baseball and The British Open golf championship.
“We are excited to grow our overall commitment to baseball through the New York Yankees, an organization with which we share a respect for tradition and an eye toward the future,” said Edward Song, CEO of Doosan Infracore North America “We are honored to be partnered with the Yankees and believe that our partnership with a marquee sports brand such as the Yankees gives us the ability to continue to grow our brand in the critical U.S. marketplace.”
Song also said the long baseball season, multiple marquee games and broad regional appeal provide the ideal sports environment for brand exposure. Baseball is also popular in Korea, he noted, and the sport’s easy pace and relaxed atmosphere makes it conducive to conversation and friendship.
