All in the family: Komatsu’s D61PXi-23 is backed by its three smaller intelligent Machine Control siblings: the D37PXi, D39PXi and D51PXi.Komatsu says it was so pleased with the reception of the D61i-23 that soon after its June 2013 launch, it began working to bring more dozers with the company’s new integrated machine control technology to market.
This morning, the equipment manufacturer announced that it will release three more intelligent Machine Control (iMC) dozers by the time the ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 show arrives in March.
“The overwhelmingly positive reception from our customers definitely figured into our quick expansion of this family of crawler dozers,” said Peter Robson, Komatsu’s director of Intelligent Machine Controls, in a prepared statement.
No specific models or other specs were discussed in regard to the line expansion other than the fact that the three models will be “popular sizes.” However, a photo sent out by Komatsu to accompany the announcement shows three dozers behind the D61i: the D37PXi, D39PXi and D51PXi.
The D61i-23 is the first Komatsu dozer to feature iMC technology, which seamlessly integrates machine control into the body of the dozer during assembly. Further separating it from dozer’s with aftermarket machine control, the D61i-23 is the first dozer with the ability to run fully automated from first to last pass. You can read more about the technology and watch video of the dozer in action in our report from the launch.
Komatsu offers two models of the dozer. The D61EXi-23 is a track-on ground model while the D61PXi-23 is a low ground pressure model.
Earlier this month, due to the potential impact a machine like this dozer could have on the skilled worker shortage as well as its potential for cost savings, we awarded the D61i-23 one of our 2014 Innovations Awards.
