Doosan enters the mobile 10-ton class with the DX100W-7. This completely newly developed machine will go into production in 2022, should fill the current gap in Doosan's delivery program and will enter a segment that can count on growing interest. So expectations are high. At the end of 2021, a pre-production machine was in our country and Bouwmachines was allowed to subject it to a test. How does the four-wheel-steer compact newcomer perform?
When we think of a mobile excavator from an earthmoving perspective, a 15-ton machine is often the standard. Nevertheless, the segment of more compact and slightly lighter wheeled excavators is clearly growing. These types of machines are multifunctional. From road construction in tight places, mechanical streets to landscaping and municipal work.
A 10-tonner can do a lot, is versatile and therefore interesting. Various manufacturers see this and are therefore building lighter and more compact wheeled excavators, for example Liebherr with the A910 Compact and Volvo with the recently introduced EWR130.
If you look at the specifications, these ready-to-use machines quickly weigh 13 tons, or even more. The larger construction machine manufacturers often cannot supply a real 10-tonner. In fact, only Komatsu is present with the PW98MR-11 and JCB is also targeting the same target group with its Hydradig. Where the larger manufacturers neglected the segment for a long time, the manufacturers of compact equipment actually spun advantage.
With this DX100W-7, Doosan will in practice mainly compete with the compact manufacturers, to be precise: Takeuchi, Yanmar and Wacker Neuson. These brands invented the 10-tonner segment a long time ago. Some are very successful in this and of course that does not go unnoticed. They are proof that there is simply a demand for 10-tonne machines and the European Doosan importers have already conveyed that message to the Korean manufacturer in the past.
A first step was therefore taken a few years ago, since 2020 the manufacturer has really made serious work on the development of such a 10-ton machine. It is also more than welcome in the Doosan delivery program. Because if you look at it now, the 6-ton DX57W is built on the one hand and the large mobile excavators from 14 tons on the other. So there is a huge gap between them. A gap that the 10-tonne DX100W-7 can fill, so expectations are high.
Doosan developed the DX100 from scratch. That makes sense because the manufacturer did not have a comparable machine. When you see the machine, you can also see that Doosan has not reinvented the wheel in this segment. This becomes apparent if you put this DX100 together with the Takeuchi TB295W, the Wacker Neuson EW100 and the Yanmar B95W. Then you see many similarities in the general construction method. At least from the outside.
The similarities in the construction and placement of the boom are particularly striking. They all opt for a front-mounted swing boom in combination with double cylinders on the adjustable boom. A construction method that we have not seen before on a mobile machine at Doosan.
Where many manufacturers opt for an engine that is installed on the right side, Doosan, like Takeuchi, chooses to keep the engine transversely in the back of the superstructure. Just like with the larger types, you could say. To guarantee accessibility for maintenance, Doosan does not opt for a hood, but there is a large service hatch in the 1,350 kg counterweight. It has a large recess for this and partly because of this you can easily reach the engine from the rear from the ground.
This is also where you will find the air filter, engine oil filter and engine oil dipstick. Doosan uses its own 3.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, which of course meets Stage V requirements. This is possible without exhaust gas recirculation. A catalytic converter, particulate filter and AdBlue after-treatment are present. Together with two extra doors on the left and right corners, you can open practically the entire rear.
The coolers are installed on the right corner and the fuel filler pump can also be found, including space for the hose. The hydraulic pumps are mounted on the left side and you will find the filters for the hydraulic oil. The valve block is built in behind the cabin.
All other cases are grouped at the front right. The fuel tank, AdBlue tank and windscreen washer fluid can be found here behind a large hood. The plastic fuel tank is lockable and is built in as a whole behind the steel plating with a lockable door. A miscreant must really make a serious effort to steal diesel from this compact Doosan.
The cab looks and is familiar: it is the same as on the lighter DX57W-7. The entire operation is identical to that of the larger machines. However, new functions have been added, such as for the four-wheel steering. With a switch you choose four-wheel, two-wheel or crab steering (crab steering). The wheels center themselves automatically, as an operator you do not have to worry about this.
The feature makes the machine extremely manoeuvrable; You can turn within a width of 7.5 meters, not counting the swing of the boom. Steering is done with the steering wheel: from the factory, Doosan will not supply joystick steering.
The boom has a slender build and can swing 60 degrees to both the left and right. The machine always comes with an adjustable boom, our test machine is equipped with a dipperstick of 2.25 meters. The test machine is also equipped with an S45 quick coupler fitted with an engcon tiltrotator and a 400-litre bucket. The dks was disconnected during the measurements.
Performance is as you would expect. The front boom configuration is not ideal when loading the truck and this is confirmed by the weighbridge after carrying out load tests. The Doosan therefore lags behind the test average in this area.
In digging the test trenches, the 10-tonner proves its productivity with an above-average score. And there is still potential here, because on wide single pneumatic tires the Doosan could have moved faster and the performance converted into cubic meters per hour would have been even better.
The pre-series model in this test is not yet completely finished and has not yet been built for the Dutch market. Doosan will further fine-tune the DX100W-7 before series production starts. Then more options will also be available from the factory on this new member. Options similar to those available on the other recently introduced larger seventh generation machines. Consider, for example, boom suspension and an automatic digging brake that are still missing on our test machine. The manufacturer also says it is working on an approved towbar with a brake connection and a tipper valve. And that makes the DX100W-7 a very complete machine that shares many features with its bigger brothers. An operator who is used to Doosan will see this as a strong point.
Of course you can also be critical. After all, Doosan could also have chosen to develop a groundbreaking 10-tonner with a fixed boom next to the cabin. Because now that buyers in our country are opting en masse for a tiltrotator, you may wonder whether a slewing boom still offers so much added value. Globally yes, for many European buyers probably not. Basically, the DX100W-7 does not bring a revolutionary change to the segment.
From the manufacturer's point of view, it is a safe choice to keep this DX100 in line with the existing competition in this class in terms of concept. If you look at it that way, it is a complete machine that does add something to the market in important details. Think of the top speed of almost 40 km/h, the four-wheel steering and the accessibility for maintenance through the rear of the machine.
Furthermore, the machine is complete and identical in terms of operation and options to the larger mobile excavators of the brand. For example, the pressures and liters on the extra function can be adjusted and with the 200 liters per minute and 100 hp power you can already make good progress as standard, even with demanding attachments. Even from the operator's point of view, you don't take a step back when you set out with this smaller machine.
However, in this case it is about more than just the ironwork. The DX100W-7 seems to be a smart move especially strategically. Because Doosan can now supply a machine that many direct competitors from the heavier mobile segment do not (yet) have. And therefore a machine with which the brand can reach new customers. Add to that the brand new collaboration with Tobroco-Giant in the field of mini shovels , and the signal should be clear: Doosan is fully committed to its own complete line of compact machines.
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