Powerful machinery meets intelligent assistance and safety features
The Komatsu WA170M 11 wheel loader is now available with a Waste & Recycling specification. Developed specifically for the demanding operating conditions in the waste and recycling sector, it combines powerful machinery with intelligent assistance and safety features to sustainably enhance efficiency, productivity and occupational safety in day-to-day operations.
The WA170M 11 with the new Waste & Recycling specification is a factory-configured solution designed specifically for use in the waste, recycling and demolition sectors, combining the power reserves of larger wheel loaders with compact dimensions and high manoeuvrability. The modular range of optional equipment includes, amongst other things, protected axles, an optimised cooling and air filter system with a reversible fan, and a collision detection sensor that records safety-relevant driving situations and helps to improve workplace safety and machine availability. The specification is aimed in particular at recycling and processing plants, municipal waste management operators, and demolition and handling companies. The background to this is the sector’s high relevance: in Germany, around 399 million t of waste are generated annually, of which just under 70 % is recycled, with construction and demolition waste accounting for the largest share at around 52 %.
Features of the Waste & Recycling
specification
The Waste & Recycling specification for the WA170M-11 was specifically developed to meet the requirements of the waste, recycling and demolition sectors and comprises a range of coordinated components. These are designed to increase machine availability, reduce maintenance requirements and ensure reliable operation under demanding working conditions.
Key features include:
Axles protected against entanglement, preventing the adhesion of films, wires or textiles and reducing cleaning and maintenance requirements
Optimised cooling and air filter system with a coarse-mesh radiator and an automatically reversible fan to maintain constant operating temperatures even under high dust and fibre loads
Fine-mesh air intake grilles that filter out additional foreign particles from the cooling air and protect the cooling system
Collision detection sensor: Greater safety and transparency
A key feature of the new specification is the collision detection sensor, which was developed at the express request of customers. The sensor detects unusual driving situations, such as heavy deceleration or abrupt stops, and records these events with a timestamp in the machine’s service menu. The data recorded helps operators to analyse safety-related incidents, optimise workflows and traffic management on site, and identify potential operator errors at an early stage. In this way, the collision detection sensor helps to prevent damage, reduce downtime and improve workplace safety in the long term.
In Germany, the WA170M-11 is distributed via Komatsu’s sales partners – BRR Baumaschinen Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, Kuhn Baumaschinen Deutschland GmbH and Schlüter Baumaschinen GmbH – who ensure comprehensive advice, service and spare parts supply across the country.
