Tata Hitachi’s TL340H is designed with efficiency at its core.

Sandeep Singh,
Managing Director,
Tata Hitachi.

Tata Hitachi incorporates the unique hydrostatic technology for the wheel loaders.

Tata Hitachi caters to the 3T payload segment with its machine TL340H, and for 5T and above payload segment Tata Hitachi offers imported Hitachi loaders which cater to mining and heavy-duty cycle applications. “TL340H uses the hydrostatic drive technology which is proven in our excavators,” says Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Tata Hitachi. Excerpts from the interview

Brief us on the range of wheel loaders offered by your company?

Tata Hitachi caters to the 3T payload segment with its machine TL340H, the only domestic hydrostatic wheel loader in its class. TL340H has a 20% fuel efficiency advantage over its hydrodynamic peers. TL340H uses the hydrostatic drive technology which is proven in our excavators.

For the 5T and above payload segment, Tata Hitachi offers imported Hitachi loaders which cater to mining and heavy-duty cycle applications. ZW220 is the 5T payload wheel loader in this segment. For greater than 5T payload segment Tata Hitachi offers three imported models:  ZW310, ZW370 and ZW550. The ZW series models promise high performance. This series comprises premium machines which give higher productivity and better returns.

What are the key market trends in terms of hp / tonnage, and shift towards higher capacity wheel loaders?

The market for wheel loaders is likely to grow on the background of the need for specialized equipment’s. Customers upgrading from multi-purpose machines to wheel loaders will form bulk of the volume, coupled with increased activities of mining and port.

In applications like mining, cement and port going to bigger class of equipment is an advantage as the customer gets higher production through lesser number of machines. Thereby reducing overhead and life cycle cost of his whole fleet of equipment; ensuring better return. This can become a game changer for industry.

What are the key features built-in in your range to optimize fuel efficiency,helps reduce cost per tonne and safety?

Tata Hitach offers the most differentiated offering in its 3Ton payload, via TL340H. Almost all competition players offers traditional hydrodynamic wheel loader, which means it uses transmission to transfer power from engine to axles. Tata Hitachi incorporates the unique hydrostatic technology, which is common in our excavators for the wheel loaders. In hydrostatic drive technology, power is transferred from engine to axle via hydraulic motors. The most striking advantage of this technology is increased efficiency, which directly translates to higher fuel efficiency.

Tata Hitachi’s TL340H is designed with efficiency at its core. Apart from its hydrostatic technology, it is equipped with a variable displacement pump to further its fuel savings advantage.

To provide customers a real time status of the machine, TL340H is equipped with Insite, telematics solution from Tata Hitachi to track machine utilization and its status at real time. This remote monitoring facility helps customers keep the information about their machines on fingertips.

For mining, the ZW series wheel loaders are equipped with best technology in the world, like computer controlled engine, advanced hydraulic, load sensing hydraulic steering system, limited slip differential (LSD), torque proportional differential leading to higher production and lower fuel consumption.

Keeping operator comfort and safety in mind, the ZW series wheel loaders are loaded with features like full-auto air conditioner, ROPS/FOPS cabin, single shift lever, adjustable steering and suspension seat.

Could you talk about the bucket options on offer? What are the key design features here?

Tata Hitachi offers a variety of buckets based on application and customer requirement like general purpose bucket, rock bucket, coal bucket etc. General purpose bucket with bolt-on cutting edge is offered as a standard fitment. Inherent bucket design has spill-guard incorporated in them, which prevent spill over. The strong lift arms and linkage yield high production during digging, loading and hauling. Big bucket breakout force and optimum bucket rollback brings about high production and good load retention. Buckets are designed and shaped fore fficient scooping-up and loading. Bolt-on cutting edges are easy to replace. The bucket leveler and boom kick-out features further aide in improving the production.

What is the current overall demand – supply scenario for wheel loaders from different verticals? 

The overall demand has been growing over the years, and the wheel loader market in 2018-19 has been the highest: hinging close to 4000 units. There has been growth across the segments.

Today, customers are looking for even higher production from their loaders while trying to keep the costs down. As the cost of diesel is going up, a fuel-efficient loader is on top of the mind for the customer. Though the owning cost is a primary concern for the first-time buyers, the loader fleet owners and long-time users are ready to pay a premium for the feature loaded and fuel – efficient loader. The market is now being driven largely by infrastructure requirements – roads, railways, housing etc. and mining’s contribution has reduced.

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