When it comes to bulldozing, bigger really is better. The bigger the dozer the more efficiently they work and the more aggregate they can shove.  This page is about the largest and most productive dozer in the world, by a factor of two.

The Worlds biggest and most powerful (production) Bulldozer  is the D575A-3SD built by Komatsu in Ishikawa, Japan.  Standing 16 feet tall, 41 feet long and 24 feet wide the D575A-3SD is the king of power when it comes to shifting  aggregate. When the need arises to clear away large amounts of rubble, rock or earth then the D575A-3SD is the machine of choice.

The Komatsu D575A-3SD offers industry the reliability with advanced technology and advanced Hydraulics, power train, frame and all other factors that make a great bulldozer.

The business end of the super dozer is the blade that does all the work shoving the rubble etc, the D575A-3SD's blade covers a colossal 90 cubic yards and can shove or indeed pull 480,000 pounds of mass. Its alright when the rubble is just there to be shoved away but what if the ground that needs to be leveled off more cannot be blasted by dynamite to loosen it?

In some areas blasting of rock is prohibited due to the close proximity of residential areas, so the D575A-3SD is called in to rip up the earth instead. 

The picture below shows the D575A with the ripper arm extended, the ripper is like a big steel spike that is hydraulically pushed into the ground, the bulldozer then drives forwards and the spike literally tears or rips up the ground. 

The ripper's depth can be set manually, it can tear up solid rock and concrete with ease, the 1150 HP engine supplying all the power its needs.

The size of the super dozer means that transportation to the quarry of mine where its used can be problematic, several trucks are required to transport the super dozer to its work site in small pieces, it is then assembled on site. Driving this thing down the road from site to site  would churn up the tarmac and would cost a fair bit in fuel too !

The D575A-3SD is a serious machine, designed to move rubble in a big way, all the time every time with power that cannot be stopped. "These things are made for knocking over mountains," states Mike Detzler, who is president of Continental Equipment Co. the firm that leases  the D575A, " it could push downtown Dallas into rubble in two weeks." he says. 

If the D575A-3SD was just set to drive in a straight line it would carry on through houses, buildings, forests you name it, until it either ran out of fuel, went into a lake or came across a cliff.

The D575A-3SD is quite a crowd puller too and many people show up for a look at the dozer. Weighing over 300,000 Lbs and getting through 440 Gallons of diesel during a day with its 1150 HP engine the dozer has become an attraction. Mike Detzler makes a joke of it all by saying  "We thought about building an observation area and charging people ten bucks."

The Dozer is powered by a turbo loaded, drawer air cooled 12 cylinder 46.3 litre engine delivering a massive 1150 HP at 1800 rpm. It has the total pushing-pulling power of 485,000 Lb that's nearly half a million Lbs !! The blade itself weighs over 22,000 Lbs and is 24 feet 3 ins wide and 11 feet tall.

The 90 cubic yard capacity Super Dozer blade of the D575A-3SD can maximize on production with its innovative design which is 15% more productive in level earth shoving then on its competitors pushing larger volumes of earth against the same soil resistance. 

Click to see 'youtube' video of the D575A at work and crushing a pick up truck !!

Technical Specifications.

Engine.

For greater efficiency during long pushes, the lock-up mode allows the system to automatically engage the torque converter lock-up clutch.  Locking the torque converter transmits all the engine power directly to the transmission increasing ground speed thus achieving efficiencies equal to a direct drive.  The result is more efficient use of the engine power, less fuel consumption and faster cycles.

TORQFLOW Transmission.

Komatsu TORQFLOW transmission consists of an air-cooled, 3-element, 1-stage, 1-phase torque converter with lock-up clutch and a planetary gear, multiple-disc clutch transmission which is actuated by ECMV (Electronic Control Modulation Valve) and force-lubricated for optimum heat dissipation. 

Final Drive.

Triple-reduction final drive uses two-stage spur and single-stage planetary gears (five) to minimize transmission of shock to power train components. Segmented sprocket rims are bolt-on type for easy in-the-field replacement.

Steering System.

ECMV (Electronic Controlled Modulation) Valve Controlled transmission automatically adjusts ease clutch engagement depending on travel conditions such as speed, revolution and shifting pattern.  This provides shockless smooth clutch engagement, improved component reliability, expansion of component life and operator comfort.

ECMV sensors monitor machine operating conditions and elctronically controls steering clutches and brakes depending on type of job, such as size of load during dozing, incline angle of slope or load.  This provides smooth and ease of operation by reducing counter-steering going downhill.

PCCS lever, joystick-controlled, wet multiple-disc steering clutches are spring-loaded and hydraulically released. Wet, multiple-disc, pedal/lever-controlled steering brakes are spring-actuated, and hydraulically released, and require no adjustment. Steering clutches and brakes are interconnected for easy, responsive steering. 

Undercarriage.

The REU (Resilient Equalized Undercarriage) system provides very powerful traction, component durability and operator comfort.  Outstanding traction can be achieved because the shoes always follow the contour of the ground.  The X-shaped bogie-structured resilient equalized undercarriage performs independent see-saw motions.  To decrease vibration and shock, rubber shock absorbers are mounted on the X-shape bogies.  The bogies and the rubber cushions provide different absorption characteristics depending on the ground surface.  when the machine travels on flat ground, the REU functions as a conventional rigid undercarriage.  When the machine travels on uneven ground the REU maximizes the suspension effect to the best advantage that can be offered.

Coolant and Lubricant Capacity (refill) 

Operating Weight. 

Tractor weight 252,600 lb / 114580 kg including rated capacity of lubricant, coolant, full fuel tank, operator, and standard equipment.

Operating weight 336,420 lb / 152600 kg including Super Dozer blade, counterweight, steel cab, ROPS, operator, standard equipment, rated capacity of lubricant, coolant, and full fuel tank.  Ground Pressure 23.PSI

Hydraulic System.

Below is an image taken from the cab of the D575A.

Operator Comfort in this super dozer is paramount for safe and productive work and a quiet, comfortable environment is offered so the operator can concentrate on the work at hand.  The large tinted glass windows provide as good a view as any dozer of this type if not better, and air filtration and a higher internal pressurized cabin prevent dust from getting in.

The operators seat uses a new suspension system with strengthened seams and a breathable fabric, fore and aft sliding rails and suspension springs are new designs to the D575A-3SD and increase strength and rigidity and reduce play and wear of the joints. This new seats is designed to accommodate all operators for support, ride comfort and fit.

For the Industries that employ these super Dozers, they are worth their weight in gold.  They have the ability to work and work hard 24/7, and the technology of today, ever increasing and improving, results in reliable mechanics that keep these super Dozers often exceeding more than the job requires.  As a researcher into these gi-normouse machines I never cease to be amazed at the raw power the Komatsu 575A-3SD with excellent traction, excellent engine and excellent hydraulics can deliver.

It really is a case of any job...anywhere...any time, no worries...no problem...

...The Komatsu 575A-3SD, The Ultimate king of the hill, then it levels it ! and time for a coffee.