Importance of Quality Final Drive Motors For a Komatsu Excavator

With the American construction industry projected to reach $37 billion in annual volume by 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the need for high-quality heavy equipment from OEMs and aftermarket makers will no doubt continue to come into play over the next several years. Komatsu, the world’s second-largest construction equipment manufacturer behind Caterpillar, will likely see an increased demand for its products as the industry expands.

For years, Komatsu Limited has been a major contributor to the global construction equipment sector. Thanks to high-quality components like Komatsu final drive motors with travel motors, their excavators are extremely powerful, reliable, and effective for a wide range of construction-related projects.

Based in Japan, century-old Komatsu enjoys a solid reputation for producing robust and reliable heavy machinery that sees use across a wide variety of industries, including construction, mining, and forestry. The company began U.S. operations in 1970, and its heavy equipment is used across industries. In particular, Komatsu forklifts are a common sight at warehouses, storage facilities, and docks. Other construction equipment and equipment parts sold by Komatsu include:

• Track Loaders
• Skid Steers
• Excavators and Mini Excavators
• Bulldozers
• Electric Rope Shovels
• Motor Graders
• Continuous Miners
• Travel Drives
• Hydraulic Pumps
• Gearboxes
• and more

If you’re utilizing any of these powerful machines for construction jobs, it’s important to choose an excavator parts supplier with the right final drive motors for a Komatsu.Since excavators are such an important part of the construction sector, you should be aware of these machines and their performance abilities. Here is some information on Komatsu excavators.

Komatsu Excavator Overview

Highly regarded for versatility on the job, an excavator is an effective tool for the construction trade. Let’s look at an overview of Komatsu excavator offerings based on size.

Small Excavator: Up to 25,000 lbs

Komatsu eschews the “compact or mini excavator” label and just calls equipment in this weight range “small.” It begins with the PC30MR-5 that features 24.4 horsepower and a bucket capacity of up to 0.21 cubic yards. The PC88MR-11 bookends the top part of Komatsu’s small excavator range with 68 horsepower and a 0.26 cubic yard bucket.

Mid-Size Excavator: 25,000 – 70,000 lbs

When a small or mini excavator just won’t do, mid-size models offer extended capabilities. The range begins with the PC130-11 at 92.2 horsepower and 0.78 cubic yards of bucket capacity and ends with the PC290LC-10 that features 196 horsepower and a 0.75 cubic yard bucket.

Large Excavator: 70,000 – 260,000 lbs

Large Komatsu excavators begin with the PC360LCi-11 and its 257 horsepower and 2.56 cubic yard bucket. The PC1250LC-11 maxes out this category at 758 horsepower and a bucket capacity of up to 9.5 cubic yards.

Mining Excavator: 260,000 lbs and Above

Komatsu’s specialized excavators are created to meet the unique needs of the mining industry. These massive pieces of machinery make even large excavators look like toys in comparison. The company’s “tiniest” mining excavator, the PC2000-11, benefits from 1,058 horsepower and a bucket up to 17.9 cubic yards. The enormous PC8000-6 weighs as much as 1.7 million pounds and relies on two 2,010-horsepower diesel engines; its 55-cubic yard bucket is large enough to fill the cargo beds of 18 pickup trucks.

Help with a Komatsu Final Drive

Even sturdy and reliable Komatsu excavators will need a replacement final drive motor at some point. Final drives do wear out over time. So, let’s look at some indicators that a replacement Komatsu final drive is in your future.

Contamination

Dust and debris are the arch enemies of all things mechanical. Unfortunately, this is just the environment where a final drive sees use. Contamination of final drive motor interior components is just waiting to happen thanks to regular, ordinary activities. This usually occurs through contaminated hydraulic fluid. And, yes, filters are supposed to screen out these particles, but no system is perfect.

Missing Cover Plate

A missing or damaged cover plate is usually caused by excessive hydraulic pressure in the final drive motor. Most of the time, this is the result of a clogged drain filter. When cover plate damage gets to this point, it usually means the final drive has suffered extensive damage beyond repair.

Excessive Noise

Sure, construction equipment is noisy. But, we’re talking about noise that’s not normal. This is a clear indicator that something is wrong. Your equipment operators should be trained to be on the alert for this early warning sign. Causes can be due to contamination or worn-out interior components. A high-pitched squealing noise usually means that a weak charge pump impedes the travel motor’s proper operation, and you will soon be looking for a replacement.

Overheating

Overheating is a classic symptom of a final drive motor that will soon be history. Just like paying attention to strange final drive noises, excavator operators should be aware that a too-hot-to-touch travel motor means there’s a problem. This can be caused by various conditions, including worn-out bearings, overheated hydraulic fluid, brake problems, or low gear oil.

Replacing a Komatsu Final Drive

Final drives for a Komatsu can help ensure that these powerful machines function correctly and perform precisely as they should for your business.Reach out to us at MiniFinalDrives.com to learn more about final drive motors for your Komatsu construction equipment. Final drive parts are available for other brands, including Bobcat, Doosan, Hitachi, John Deere, and Kubota, Hyundai, IHI, Kayaba KYB, New Holland, Sumitomo, Volvo, and more.

Our family at Mini Final Drives has been providing excellent Quality, Value, and Service for over 50 years, and you can continue to count on us for a lifetime of friendly, helpful support for all your final drive and travel motor needs. Call us today at 877-483-2806 or visit our online store at www.minifinaldrives.com to find and order what you need today for Fast and Free delivery to your door .