Step right up, break out the sunglasses, and prepare to be dazzled by our greatness!
Listening to the hype from some manufacturers, you™d think their new Tier-III- compliant wheel loaders were the coolest, most awesome machines to ever dance their way across a construction site or traverse a pit floor. And the more bells, whistles, and gadgets it has, well, the better it must be!
If you haven™t figured it out by now, let us assure you that™s not Kawasaki™s style.
But let™s face it. The mandate to meet the stringent Tier-III requirements has provided a convenient way to introduce some nifty items as well as significant upgrades. However, unless the changes provide a clear improvement in productivity and a tangible reduction in maintenance costs, they™re hardly deserving of the three-ring circus approach, much less your valuable time and money. Change can increase operational complexity, increase the price, and increase maintenance headaches.
So without a lot of knee-deep hoopla, let™s review the new Kawasaki ZV-2s. The model lineup from the 70 through the 95ZV-2.
Productivity Improvements
In deciding what improvements to include, Kawasaki asked a simple question: What can we do to increase a wheel loader™s productivity and efficiency without creating an operational or financial nightmare?
In consultation with Kawasaki end-users and engineers, the answers were:
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Use Tier-III Cummins engines and increase peak torque for more power and better performance
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Add in-cab features that make it simpler and quicker for the operator to do whatever kind of job he/she might be called upon to perform
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Achieve higher uptime through easier basic maintenance tasks and more detailed on-board diagnostic systems
Under the Hood ” Making a Good Thing Even Better
In addition to having what we feel is the market™s most reliable Tier-III diesel engine technology, the new Cummins engines provide greater peak torque. And it™s the torque that gives our loaders better rimpull for noticeably improved performance.
Ask end-users what they like about Kawasaki, the first thing they™ll say is the power. They said that 25 years ago and they™re still saying it now. With our new Dash 2s, we™ve added even more power ” they are by far the highest performing machine we™ve ever marketed. Peak torque has increased anywhere from 9 to a whopping 14 percent. This results in a significant multiplication of power. Operators will be able to pull hills better, dig better, doze better, and do a lot of things better because of this extra torque.
Want to save on fuel? Who doesn™t! The new Cummins engines have extended oil change intervals from 250 to 500 hours, when the recommended grade of oil is used. At today™s high gas prices, being able to save on petroleum-based products will definitely help your bottom line.
In addition to the native fuel thriftiness of the Tier-III engines, another feature under the hood that will help save fuel is called Idle Management System (IMS). When it senses the machine has been idling for a few minutes, it will cut the engine™s rpm by several hundred to conserve fuel. And at start-up in cold weather, IMS will ramp up the rpm by a couple hundred to warm the engine more quickly, wasting less fuel to warm the engine to proper operating temperature.
Easy to Operate from the Comfort Zone
The cab is quieter, has more foot room, and features an improved air-conditioning system. The 70ZV-2 now has air conditioning as standard. To increase productivity, a number of new features have been added (or are optionally available) that enable the operator to customize settings and make adjustments to the loader controls to best suit his working environment.
New standard features like the Adjustable Declutch, In-Cab Boom Kickout with dual settings, Downshift button, and the Power Mode engine switch allow the operator to make adjustments from the comfort of the cab to increase productivity and efficiency.
Options such as Limited Slip Differentials, Ride Control, F-R Directional Switch, Single Lever Hydraulic Control, and ELS (Efficient Loading System) give the operator additional controls to adapt the loader to whatever the working conditions might be.
The new MODM (Machine Operation Diagnostic Module) is standard. Although primarily a diagnostic tool, it does allow the operator to make adjustments to certain features such as the sensitivity of the K-Lever steering, shift points in the automatic transmission, and the sensitivity of the optional Ride Control.
Easy to maintain
We are proud of our 45-plus-year heritage of manufacturing strong and reliable machines. Disdaining the approach of many competitors who use a lot of plastic, Kawasaki continues to use metal in critical areas such as Engine Hood Cover, Fenders and Guarding. Redesigned buckets provide easy loading and excellent load retention. Bolt-on heel plates extend bucket life. Massive center pins and bearings, as well as a heavy box frame rear chassis, are extraordinarily durable for a very long life.
Outboard-mounted, four-wheel sealed wet disc brakes are designed for long life and easy access. Spin-on filters, grouped grease fittings, three-piece tire rims, and sealed universal joints all provide easy field maintenance. We™ve extended the grease intervals on the universal joints to 6,000 hours. Engine oil intervals have been extended to 500 hours, when the recommended oil is used.
We™ve increased the reliability of the hydraulic system with improved hydraulic components. Deutsch connectors are used in the electronic wiring paths to seal out dirt and moisture. Filament-free LED tail lights are very long-lived and exceptionally bright.
When it comes to troubleshooting, a central controller tracks a wide variety of key operational data. Access to this information is through the MODM LCD display located in the cab and through the optional K-Link II system which sends data via cell, fax, and e-mail. Even though information from the Cummins™ ECM module is sent to the central controller, Cummins provides separate diagnostic tools to help technicians recover more detailed engine data.
Why buy Kawasaki? We keep it simple
Unlike other construction equipment companies that split their attention among many different product lines, Kawasaki focuses only on wheel loaders. Since 1962, we have been listening to our customers and our dealers. And we™ve been learning from them, incorporating their suggestions into our designs. As a result, our wheel loaders will continue to evolve with a constant focus on one thing ” producing the most durable, most efficient, and most dependable machines possible.
Special Applications Packages
For those jobs that require adaptation for special environmental or performance requirements, Kawasaki has created four special application packages. The ones listed below are basic package features ” additional options are available. Visit www.kawasakiloaders.com, click on Products, then Special Applications for more information.
Agricultural. For loading grain, compost, or other light weight or fine materials. Available on the Kawasaki 70 through the 80. Engine compartment air intake screens, turbine-style engine precleaner, rear chassis belly guard, automatic reversible cooling fan, wide fin radiator.
Waste/Refuse/Recycling. All types of refuse, recycling, and processing of solid waste materials. Available from the 70 through the 115. Articulation area guard, axle brake piping, engine compartment air intake screens, front and rear chassis belly guards, lift cylinder line guard, headlight and tail light guards, steel headlight housing, steel radiator grill, wheel seal guards, wide fin radiator.
Logging/Woodchip. Available from the 70 through the 115. Third spool hydraulics, oversized counterweights, guarding for the front windshield and other vulnerable areas, wide fin radiator, automatic reversing cooling fans.
Hot Slag. Severe application. Available from the 90 through the 135. Special guarding, safety systems, cab air filtration system, turbine style engine pre-cleaner, high temperature hydraulic hoses, ground level remote engine shutdown, transmission override, ground level parking brake override, steel cable steps.
Kawasaki is the oldest ongoing manufacturer of rubber-tire, articulated, wheel loaders in the world, serving the North American market for over 45 years. For information on the all of the Kawasaki products, visit http://www.kawasakiloaders.com/ or call 770-499-7000.
