Komatsu Australia has unveiled a series of innovations to support production in the quarrying sector.
When it comes to reducing costs on the quarry site, it is not just about the core machinery on-site, but also the ecosystem that supports it.
Komatsu Australia has unveiled a holistic approach to support quarrying operations, including several machine launches and the release of new technologies under its Smart Construction banner.
“A big focus for quarry customers right now is reducing operational costs,” Komatsu Australia national business manager for quarries Nick Vrontas said.
“That’s where we’re working hard to deliver value, not just through the core machines themselves, but through the ecosystem that supports them.”
As part of Komatsu’s ‘Boots on’ event in New South Wales earlier this year, attendees were able to get a first-hand experience of these innovations.
The standout at the show was Komatsu’s newly released PC950LC-11 excavator.
Komatsu Australia national business manager for construction excavators and crushers Mark Boyes said customers in the quarry sector have been asking for improved production, increased breakout force, increased efficiency and superior durability. The new PC950LC-11 delivers this and more for customers.
“Good things come to those who wait – as this has been years in the making,” he said.
“The PC950LC-11 is the result of a comprehensive design process shaped by a decade of industry feedback. The PC950LC-11 increases productivity by utilising three selectable modes, which includes the newly developed “Power Plus Mode”, to harness the power of the 405kW engine to reduce cycle times. Coupled with the improved hydraulic system the PC950LC-11 will see upwards of 40 per cent improvements in fuel efficiency compared to previous models. Operators asked for greater comfort, better safety and improved efficiency, and that’s exactly what this machine delivers.
“As always at Komatsu, quality has been front and centre. The large catwalk with hydraulic ladder and centrally located maintenance points make it easier and safer to maintain. Every component has been carefully engineered to meet the real-world demands of the modern quarry site.”
The PC950LC-11 now includes the Smart Quarry Site system as standard.
“With the latest “Smart Quarry” system now standard, it takes monitoring and managing productivity, production and efficiencies to a whole new level. The PC950LC-11’s capability and adaptability make it completely unrivalled,” Boyes said
Top-tier technology
Technology is shaping up to be an increasingly important part of Komatsu’s plans in key industrial sectors.
Komatsu Australia general manager for smart construction James Muir said the new technology would help solve common pain points for customers.
“One of the biggest challenges we face, not just here in Australia but globally, is the shortage of construction operators. It’s becoming harder to attract new talent into the industry, and many of the more experienced operators are retiring,” he said.
“One of the benefits of semi-autonomous technology is that we can train people faster. It allows new operators to become highly efficient in a much shorter period.
“It’s not just about ease of use; it’s also about accuracy. These machines are accurate to within three centimetres. That means the job gets done right the first time. There’s no double handling of material or reworking cuts.
“That accuracy translates into major efficiency gains on site. It saves time, reduces fuel use, cuts machine operating costs, and lowers emissions, because we’re not burning extra fuel to redo work.”
Komatsu’s 3D machine guidance (3DMG) technology is designed for excavators, wheel loaders or dozers. It supports operators by providing guidance aligned with the construction plan. The design is loaded onto the cabin’s display and guides the operator’s excavation efforts accordingly.
Some machines can be retrofitted with 3DMG Flex, including wheel loaders, dozers, and graders. The 3DMG technology is brand-agnostic so it can be fitted into other excavator brands if required.
In a quarry context, while 3DMG does not control the machine, it can support operators in many daily tasks. For example, it could support operators in maintaining floor levels by displaying their reduced level in real-time.
“That can prevent over-digging or inaccurate work, which makes a big difference to downstream efficiency,” Vrontas said. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping customers work more efficiently, cut unnecessary costs, and run a safer, smarter quarry operation.”
While 3DMG guides the operator, iMC technology can control parts of the machine’s operation through semi-autonomous features. This could include, for example, iMC controlling the blade on a bulldozer to optimise the cutting performance.
With the release of the new PC220LCi-12, Komatsu has upgraded its intelligent machine control platform to iMC 3.0 with features that enable operators to have even more control than in previous versions.
One major upgrade is the addition of boundary control. The new feature is a significant safety enhancement that helps the machine stay within defined working limits, allowing companies to adhere to their established working conditions.
The new iMC 3.0 also includes more in-field capabilities, allowing operators to make quick adjustments while carrying out tasks without needing to return to the office.
Muir said the iMC technology continues to receive positive responses from operators in many industries.
“We’ve got a lot of young operators out there now, and they’re loving it,” he said.
“For them, it’s almost like jumping into a video game.
“They’re watching a screen, it’s all digitised, and they pick it up quickly. They’re really enjoying the experience.”
Smarter operation
All of these technologies complement the existing range of Komatsu Smart Construction solutions.
“Komatsu has invested significantly in Smart Construction, and it’s becoming a key part of the future of our machines. Integration between construction machinery and digital technologies is growing year by year,” Muir said.
“But it’s not just about the machine anymore; it’s about the entire construction site. We’re looking at site-wide efficiency and safety.
“For example, the new iMC 3.0 PC220LCi-12 incorporates 3D boundary limiting technology that can limit height to avoid power lines and depth to avoid underground utilities.
“Everything we’re doing now is to improve the entire ecosystem of construction. The machine is just one part of that ecosystem. Think of it like a smartphone. Your iPhone is a device that receives and gathers information, but its real value comes from apps enhancing its capability.
“That’s what the machines are going to be. They’ll be part of the construction toolkit – not just tools, but information and data generators, as well as receivers that we can load with data to improve the construction site.”
Smart Quarry Site provides real-time insights into key areas that underpin a quarry’s performance, enabling managers to make informed decisions.
Komatsu designed the platform to analyse site management, optimise production, monitor machine health, enable proactive management, and deliver enhanced safety around the worksite.
The Smart Quarry Site platform provides these insights on a dashboard using animated visualisations and can track the performance of any brand’s trucks, loaders, excavators, graders, or dozers.
Each driver can access the system via their login to see site information immediately. The operator cabin screen displays real-time information about the machine’s current payload, material type, and destination. Operators can also register customised or general pre-start checks on the Smart Quarry Site.
These are stored on the platform and accessible when required.
Vrontas said he expected technology to play an increasingly important role in quarry operations.
“The key trend we’re seeing, and expect to continue, is the push to lower the overall cost of production. Our customers are under constant pressure to move more material, faster and more efficiently, without blowing out their operating costs. That means we need to support them on two fronts,” he said.
“First, by making our machines more efficient – improving fuel consumption, reliability and operator comfort. But second, and just as important, by helping them identify inefficiencies across the entire operation.
“That’s where our technology offering comes in. With platforms like Smart Quarry Site, we’re providing real-time insights into how the load and haul fleet is performing, not just from the cab, but from the pit to the office. It’s about arming operators and managers with data they can act on straight away to cut downtime, improve productivity and keep material moving.
“The focus now is on smart, integrated solutions – not just bigger machines.” •
For more information, visit komatsu.com.au
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