NEW PRODUCT FOR DOZERS
First General Construction Undercarriage installed on dozers; end-users laud new Komatsu Genuine option
In January 2019, Komatsu introduced an expansion to the General Construction (GC) product offering with the addition of conventional track link assemblies for all D51, D61 and D65 dozers. Jim Funk, Senior Product Manager – Undercarriage, said the first customers to install the GC link assemblies have shared positive feedback.
“We are very excited about the initial success of this product and are happy to hear it’s fitting in exactly where we hoped it would,” said Funk. “To have the very first dozers in the world with this product here in North America, makes us very proud. The quality of the GC product proved itself with the excavator offering through the past four years, so we are thrilled about adding dozer products to this category. In line with our goal from the start, the GC products are filling a void in our offerings.”
Funk said Komatsu’s intention was to design a product for those customers who prefer Komatsu Genuine Undercarriage products and the support of its distribution network, and are looking at their replacement options due to the status of their machines. He emphasized that Komatsu is always working to provide effective and reliable undercarriage products that meet customer needs.
First-hand reviews
The first D51 to have General Construction link assemblies installed belongs to Gleason Clay Company in Gleason, Tenn. Its D51PX-22 works in a clay mining application and is used to clear paths for its excavators, as well as to remove overburden to reach clay seams. Gleason Clay Company Mine Supervisor Kurt Lehmkuhl said that in the past the company considered using will-fit undercarriage replacements for their less used dozers; however, the Komatsu GC proved to be a much better choice this time. Additionally, the Komatsu Genuine Assurance coverage that the GC product carries helped Gleason Clay make the decision over other options.
“It really hit right in the price point I was looking for. With Komatsu’s history, and the relationship that we have (with our local distributor), I felt like it was the way for us to go,” said Lehmkuhl. “The warranty (assurance) is there, so everything looks good.”
J.S. Paris Excavating in North Jackson, Ohio, was the first business to have the new GC link assemblies installed on a D61. The company performs a wide variety of earthwork services across several market sectors, including residential, commercial and energy.
“We have chosen original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Komatsu parts over aftermarket suppliers because of their performance,” said J.S. Paris Operations Manager John Haifley. “The price difference is minimal, and that makes it an obvious choice.”
Komatsu distributor Product Support Sales Rep Rob Rivera, who supports J.S. Paris, is excited to have a new option with Komatsu Genuine Undercarriage. “This new product line gives customers another OEM option to consider when replacing their factory installed undercarriage. With the longest assurance in the industry, I can easily share my confidence in the product,” said Rivera.
One of the very first D65 machines to have the new GC link assemblies installed was at Houston Products Processing (HPP) located in Baytown, Texas. “With the price of this link assembly, and the assurance we can offer, there was no reason to look at other options,” said Komatsu distributor Product Support Sales Rep Tres Forester, who supports HPP.
Funk suggested that anyone looking to learn more about the General Construction offering can contact their local Komatsu distributor.
“Our distributors carry a wide range of options, serving as a complete source for undercarriage needs. Our GC offerings have added to that and will continue to do so as they expand in the coming years,” he said.
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