With the addition of earthmoving equipment manufacturer Doosan’s DLA wheel loader series to its locally available product range at the end of 2013, Doosan has significantly increased its South African wheel loader market share amid a declining market, says local Doosan distributor Disa Equipment MD Rod Watson, who tells Engineering News that the range is constantly being enhanced and improved.

Disa Equipment is part of investment holding and management company Invicta Holdings.

Watson notes that there has been increased interest in Doosan’s DL300A and DL420A wheel loaders, but adds that interest depends on market demand.

“Our second tier offering, the SD310, has also been a great success,” he says, adding that the company expects continued success as its reputation – and the demand for Doosan wheel loaders – grows.

Watson further highlights Doosan’s ongoing development programme of manufacturing robust machines with advanced design features and high-performance materials to enhance productivity, reduce running costs and lower carbon emissions.

“This investment in the latest technology guarantees users that Doosan machines offer efficient output power, low fuel consumption, minimal maintenance requirements and extended service life,” he says, adding that operator safety, precise control and comfort are also key to Doosan’s product advancement.

Product Offering
The DLA series, which encompasses four wheel loaders – the DL200A, DL250A, DL300A and DL420A – have bucket capacities of between 2 m³ and 4.5 m³, with enhanced breakout force and machine balance. The operating weight of these wheel loaders has been increased, with greater tipping-load capacities.

These environment-friendly machines are driven by Doosan Tier 2 engines, which are less sensitive to fuel quality than Tier 3 engines, but still offer reduced fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions. High-power and torque characteristics, coupled with the efficient synchronisation of the drivetrain with the hydraulic system, ensure peak productivity, even in tough operating conditions.

The flexible DL300A and DL420A units, which are widely used in South Africa, can handle diverse materials, including the loading and transporting of granular materials, as well as bulk loads.

The DL300A wheel loader has a tipping point of 13 650 kg and features an 8 ℓ Doosan DE08TIS engine of 156 kW at 2 100 rpm, while the DL420A wheel loader has a tipping point of 17 900 kg and features an 11 ℓ Doosan DE12TIS engine of 210 kW at 2 100 rpm.

Both wheel loaders were designed for advanced digging power and high traction to penetrate and handle the hardest materials. These wheel loaders are also compatible with a range of attachments.

“These machines have also been designed for easy maintenance and, therefore, increased uptime and greater productivity. A liquid crystal display conveys information about the ZF transmission and reports the nature of any problem,” says Watson, adding that a laptop computer can be connected at any time for a complete transmission diagnosis.

Owing to a decline in demand for commodities like coal, the overall demand for wheel loaders has decreased and Watson expects overall industry demand to remain flat over the short and medium term.