New Komatsu Dozers Come With a Broad Array of Allied Winch Options

Everybody seems to prefer more choices. Even in the world of dozer winches, choice is an advantage. For several new models in the Komatsu line-up, dealers and customers now have an unparalleled range of options for equipping the dozer with a winch.

The new models, D31-22, D37-22, D39-22, and D51-22, are all hydrostatic tractors. None are equipped with PTO to power a traditional PTO winch. Hydraulic winch fills the bill in this case. The secret to flexibility is the range of options that a hydraulic design affords.

The key variable is the source of hydraulic power to the winch—an auxiliary circuit, typically the ripper circuit, or a dedicated pump engineered specifically for the winch. Komatsu terms these choices Level 1, for ripper hydraulics; and Level 2, for dedicated winch hydraulic system.

For maximum performance, the dedicated pump is the preferred choice. A hydraulic winch with dedicated pump is what we call the Hi-P (High-Performance) winch. A winch driven by ripper circuit is what we call a Rescue winch. Both develop similar line pull, but line speed will be different.

The Hi-P winch delivers fast line speed for high-production work such as logging. The rescue winch, a lower-price option, typically has slower line speed. The big advantage for rescue winch is the total ease of installation.

The other main choice is whether the winch hydraulics are factory installed or field installed. The option to install the hydraulics in the field allows a stock tractor to be outfitted with a winch more quickly than waiting for a factory equipped dozer to be delivered.

Here are the available winch hydraulics options for these dozer models:

The Komatsu D31-22, D37-22 and D39-22 take the Allied H4A winch, with a line pull rating of 40,000 lbs. The Komatsu D51-22 takes the Allied H5C winch, rated at 50,000 lbs line pull.

The Allied H4A and H5C winches share similar characteristics. Both have a variable speed motor to permit high line pull when heavily loaded and fast line speed when lightly loaded. The winch motor turns only on demand, which reduces noise and wear. Winch control is through a single lever, which requires only fingertip pressure to operate.

Standard features on both models include power in, power out, and freespool. Options include 4-roller fairlead and integral log arch. On H4A Hi-P winch, a slow-speed gear ratio is available when greater peak line pull is required.

A hydraulic winch delivers exceptional control over line speed and line position. As a result, the winch excels in applications such as power line sagging, pulling pipe for re-lining old pipelines and sewer systems, pulling cable through underground conduits, and other work that requires precise control of heavy loads. The beauty of the Allied winch is that it is engineered for the rigors of a dozer winch.

The winch can be ordered with everything required for field installation. For Rescue winch, installation time could be as short as 4 hours on ripper-equipped dozer. It’s just a matter of bolting the winch to the dozer and connecting the hydraulics—what we call a “plug ‘n play” solution.

Komatsu now has available a brochure on Allied winch that elaborates the characteristics and features of the various Allied winch models. Check with Komatsu for publication AESS794-00. You can also download a copy from the Allied website, http://www.alliedsystems.com/pubs/pubs.htm. Click on form number 86-590.