A strong fleet

By: Tara VanTimmeren

Dozers continue to evolve, adding several new features to better performance. Companies continue to make strides to improve their machines. Komatsu’s new dozers feature a super-slant nose and new cab-forward design so the operator is closer to the blade—and at the same time, the dozer experiences improved machine balance, ride and stability. Dressta aims to upgrade its machines by eliminating or greatly reducing the need for on-board computer control and electronic systems. Its machines also deliver 15 hp more than its previous model.

Dozers continue to improve their efficiency, safety and power, with added assistance from software such as Topcon Positioning Systems’ 3D-MC2 dozer machine-control system, which has been shown to increase dozer productivity from a speed and accuracy standpoint by as much as four times. The system allows a single 3-D dozer to do the heavy work of two 3-D dozers. Increasing dozer speed and improving the accuracy in grade smoothness adds additional savings in time and money, according to Murray Lodge, vice president of construction for TPS.