L&T Construction & Mining Machinery

A Cool Revolution in Heavy Equipment Performance In the world of heavy equipment, Komatsu's ingenious application of the viscous fan clutch technology to hydraulic excavators has heralded a new era of cooling efficiency. This transformative innovation, introduced in the 1960s, has enhanced not only the performance of these powerful machines but also significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions. A Blast from the Past: The Evolution of Viscous Clutch Technology The story of viscous clutch technology dates back to the early 20th century when it was initially conceived for use in aircraft engines. However, by the mid-1900s, this groundbreaking innovation found its way into the automotive industry. General Motors, for example, developed a viscous coupling unit in the 1950s to improve traction and reduce wheel slip in front-wheel-drive cars. The Pioneering Spirit: Komatsu's Bold Move In the 1960s, Komatsu, the Japanese heavy equipment manufacturing giant, took a bo...

It was around noon that as I entered SCCL’s Manuguru OCP, I felt a blanket of dust enveloping the mines.  A series of large-size Komatsu Mining Trucks was making way on haul roads transporting OB. Behind this convoy, a giant Komatsu Water Sprinkler WT 80KL caught my attention. This was the first time that I saw such a huge sprinkler in action! The sprinkler was moving on the haul roads throwing water in a symmetric style  to suppress the rising dust in the mines. As a result, we could  feel the fall in the heat and the smell of the moist mud caught my nostrils making me feel delighted!  I learnt that this large-size sprinkler model has been developed as a retro-fitment on a used dumper HD785-7 , manufactured by Komatsu India Pvt. Ltd. at its Chennai plant.  This will enhance the life of used dumpers, which otherwise would have been surveyed off. The sprinkling device, fitted on the back of the machine, holds a spraying capacity of 18 m wide and 9.5 m away. Thi...