Adare Machinery sells first Doosan DL550-5 in Ireland

Limerick-based Adare Machinery was established in 1984 by David and Marian Cuddy and has grown into a fully-fledged family business, with their son William and daughter Caroline now involved. In January 2015, Adare took on the franchise for Doosan and Bobcat machinery, which coincided with the launch of the Dash Five range of Doosan equipment, and ultimately led to the sale of the first DL550-5 loading shovel in Ireland.

Engine

The Doosan DL550-5 is the flagship model for the loader range. It has an operating weight of 32.5t and gets its grunt courtesy of a 13-litre Scania engine which produces 385hp.

Doosan claims this new engine offers a 10% reduction in fuel consumption over the previous model by providing high power and torque levels at low engine revs. This can be reduced by another 5% by employing the auto engine shut-off feature which limits idle time and can be customised from three to 60 minutes.

The operator can monitor fuel consumption via an ECO gauge which updates every 60 seconds, allowing them to alter driving to optimise performance.

For faster response at low speeds, the engine is fitted with an XPI (extra high pressure injection) common rail fuel injection system that delivers diesel at 2,400 bar and a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT).

Tier 4 final emission regulations are adhered to by using selective catalytic reduction (SCR), combined with a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). This removes the need for a particulate filter, meaning there is no regeneration required. During operation in its new home, the DL550-5 is carrying 11.5t of material in its 5.7m3 bucket and reporting a fuel consumption figure of 17 l/hr on average.

Transmission

The five-speed powershift ZF transmission has three operating modes: manual, fully automatic or semi-automatic with a kick-down function. It can propel the 32.5t loader to a top speed of 37km/h and features a torque lock-up system which, when engaged, links the engine to the transmission to help remove torque loss and improve cycle times.

Power is delivered from the transmission to heavy duty ZF axles with hydraulic differential locks which engage automatically dependent on wheel slip, allowing the loader to work on slopes up to 30°.

The DL550-5 is shod on heavy-duty Bridgestone L5 tyres.

Hydraulics

Hydraulic power is delivered by a load-sensing, closed-centre system which can produce up to 480l/min at a maximum pressure of 315 bar. This oil flow is directed to the two steering cylinders, which achieve a steering angle of up to 40°. The oil also flows up front to the Z linkage arm design, which consists of three large hydraulic cylinders that offer a breakout force of 25.2t and an articulated tipping load of almost 23t.

Brakes

The 32.5t machine has a stopping distance of just over 11m at a top speed of 37km/h – no mean feat. This braking efficiency is achieved by using seven discs in each wheel hub that are activated by an electronic switch under the brake pedal which in turn is connected to a pump and accumulator circuit that can deliver up to 60l/min of oil when engaged.

Operator comfort

The operator is perched on a Grammer Actimo XXL seat that it is both vertically and horizontally air-suspended to cushion all movements.

The DL550-5 comes with a high equipment level as standard, including a radio, automatic air conditioning and a new operator panel with LCD monitor.

A load isolation system is standard on all models. This provides a smooth ride over rough ground, increasing operator comfort and helping to reduce cycle times due to improved vehicle stability.

Safety

The DL550-5 is fitted with numerous safety systems as standard, such as a rearview camera system providing a clear view of what’s happening behind the machine on a full-colour display screen in the cab, which is further helped by large external mirrors which are heated to ensure visibility in cold weather. The cab itself satisfies ROPS and FOPS regulations to keep the operator safe during operation.

Serviceability

The machine comes fitted with a top-spin pre-cleaner, which removes 99% of particles in the air. This helps to extend the service interval for both cleaning and air filter replacement. The DL 550-5 has an aluminium radiator which is fitted with an auto-reversing fan which can also swing out 90° for easy access for cleaning. The reversing interval can be fully customised in the cab via the LCD screen to optimise cooling, fuel consumption and warm-up period in order to reach the optimum working temperature faster.

An SKF auto greaser keeps all the hinge points adequately lubricated, while the Bosch electronics and three-year telematic contract allow the machine to be fully overseen remotely.

All the service points and filters are easily accessible, with the drain points conveniently located to the outside, allowing easier fluid drainage.

Warranty and finance options

An investment of €340,000 plus VAT is certainly not a decision that is made lightly. All aspects of the machine are closely looked at and compared with the opposition as well as the warranty, service options and finance arrangements.

All Doosan loaders can avail of up to a five-year, 10,000 hour warranty, which can also be coupled with maintenance packages to suit different customers’ needs and allow them to achieve a total fixed cost of ownership over the course of this five-year period.

Doosan also offers its own finance on its products , offering a combination of 0% interest and subsidised rates depending on the length of term.