Earth moving equipment manufacturer Doosan South Africa, part of the Invicta Group, launched the third wheel loader in its DLA range, the DL250A, at Intermat International, an equipment and technologies exhibition for construction and materials industries in Paris, France.

The company launched the new range of robust wheel loaders at the end of 2012 and states that it has been well received in the South African market.

The DLA range of wheel loaders offers ease of maintenance and competitive pricing and maintenance costs to the indus- trial, construction, mining and quarrying industries, states Doosan Equipment MD Rod Watson, highlighting that the machines efficiently handle diverse materials handling applications, including the loading and transporting of granular materials and the handling of bulk loads.

Further, the DLA range incorporates basic electronic systems that can easily be controlled by a machine operator. This renders outside electronic assistance, such as laptops, which are often needed for the high electronic levels of some earthmoving machines, unnecessary, he explains.

“Doosan DL250A, DL300A and DL420A wheel loaders are equipped with new features that provide improved efficiency, operator comfort and control, fewer maintenance requirements and greater durability,” Watson stresses.

“The machines have bucket capacities of between 2.5 m3 and 4.5 m3, with a reduced breakout force to increase machine balance and an increased operating weight to enable greater tipping-load capacities.”

The reinforced width of the DL250A’s lift arm and tilt lever has been increased, enabling a new dump height of 2 865 mm with a 50º tilt range. All three machines in the series have higher static-tipping loads with a straight frame.

The machines are driven by Doosan Tier 2 engines, which are less sensitive to fuel quality than Tier 3 engines, but they still offer reduced fuel consumption and low emissions, Watson states.

The DLA range includes an extended hose installed in the air breather of the ZF axles to prevent congestion problems, owing to dust and sand clogging the air breather – a problem evident in previous models, which resulted in elevated oil temperatures and damage to the seals on the axles.

Other features of the range’s ZF axles include a cylindrical planetary bearing, a new ring-gear connection, brake discs, with sinter and paper, as well as improved oil flow in the braking system.

Watson added that O-ring-faced seal pipes and hoses in the loader hydraulic systems have been combined with new materials and components for improved performance and reliability. “Additional accumulators and a newly designed steering amplifier replace the electric-hydraulic-power steering valve, which ensures smoother steering.”

Further, the DLA air-conditioning condensers are equipped with coolers for added protection, replacing the electric fans used in previous models, as they had a tendency to fail, owing to sand obstruction, Watson explains, adding that the condenser can be accessed directly by lifting a metal grill that can be tilted back for effortless cleaning.

“Improved safety and performance were key factors during the development of the DLA range,” he tells Engineering News.

The machines are protected by large mudguards and new metal grills and fenders. They are also equipped with a new roof, with a stable handrail and a step design that improves operator safety by offering more stability.

The standard roll-over protective structure and falling object protective structure certified cab of the DLA range provides improved operator comfort and safety. The size of the cab has been increased and, as a result, visibility has been improved by the wider front-glass section. The cab also includes a new instrument panel, with a revised layout of controls and switches. With the installation of more air nozzles, air conditioning is also highly effective, says Watson, adding that Doosan wheel loaders have a 7% share in the South African market.