Hi, Tommorw i'm going to see some komatsu 300-8HD. And there's two modles for 300's LC and HD. Same size, same look and so on but between the LC and the HD is weight differance, HD being more heavy. Therfore, It made me wonder if there's anything other than the side sticker ( LC or HD ) that will ID them differantly... Someone could put the LC sticker on the HD and sell with a higher price!!!! I don't think this is really going to happen but paying 500,000$ for two would be nice to know everything inside out. There should be something that id's them, hope not a simple badge that they can put on and off like the sticker. TKS
the HD has a pc400 undercarriage and a beefier stick and boom
That is correct on the HD. They do use the PC400 standard length undercarriage on the HD model. However the weak point on the earlier machines was not the carbody. The LC model was plenty to support the machine in nearly any application. The slewing bearing was the issue in that they still only use a 300 bearing on the HD machine. We always figured the bigger carbody was a lot more stable but didn't allow some give when in rough applications. The bearing would fail early. Maybe the bearings are better now in the Dash 8 series? I would ask around for people who have the HD model and see if the extra cost will make you any more money in the future.
To anyony who has used, owned, operated, rented or just have the know how about these 300's either it's the early or even better the newer models please give me your thoughts about anythings regarding these machines. Would be a good help into buying on coming weeks... This coming afternoon i'm schedualed to check one 300-8 in some near by dealer. So any opinions good/bad are fully welcomed.
that one is a dash 7, you can see it from the stickers on the air filter door
I look after an LC8 Some one may be able to tell you more but my understanding is they are made in few different factories around the world, Serial No on ours starts with a "J" and that tells that it was made in taiwan or somewhere similar, So there appears to be a few different quality 300C8s around?
the hd is harder on the pocket to maintain, it has a 400 uc alright, b ut when changing chains and sprockets ,your buying 400 parts and they are alot dearer then 300 parts, for loading trucks, drainage and general earth works ,i would personally but the lc, if your into 100% demo work and rock work , the hd would suit better its higher and wider, same as the cat 330hd, but i personally wouldnt buy one standard one gets the same rates per hour where i come from and its easier bought and sold on again!
On ours the id plate is rivetted onto the rhs bottom of the cab, it has the product ID The product id is also stamped in between the boom rams
Intresting points, though my project is mostly rock hauling. Loading rocks onto trucks, and looking for max cycle, reliablity, good consumption. So i don't know if this is concidered hardcore 100% rocks. Being that said, what would suit me better between the two. What would you guys go for? LC or HD??? thanks
300lc to me had been proven i myself have never seen an hd on a job just at the dealers and shows. if you have know komatsu's then you know what a 300lc can do and if you know the lc can do what you need then maybe you might be better with like a 350 or something. i myself feel like buying a a mut is kinda pointless its going to to cost you more to fix and really maybe a less new 400. but it is still up to you
Think twice before done. It is very reasonable to compare the configurations of the two similar machines and make sure you pay what is worth. Asking advice from people who have bought two models of the machines would be the best, and ask what's their experince of using these two machines.
Anyone here who has one of these, or both of them.... Please post more inputs. It's all useful for not only me but others in the future. Very shocking there's not many komatsu 300-8 owners. Thanks
personally id go for the 300lc, i had a dash6 300lc and it ran and ran and ran and is still going its a 1997, with over 20 000 hours on it origional engine and pump untouched, origional pads, rollers and motors, it has had one set of chains and idlers and sprockets, not as smooth as a hitachi to drive but never fails, in the plant hire game the main point is to cut costs or atleast keep them at bay, therefore my opinion when a sales man comes into the yard selling me a new model or a machine with unneeded extras he must turn on his heels and leave with sparkss to his heels, id dont buy their bullsh2t, the pc300 hd has the very same cycle times as the pc300lc, the lc however will be easier hauled and easier on fuel because it wont be dragging a 400 undercarraige around, it will climb banks easier, and be easier when the time comes to get parts such as final drive seals, and gears, idlers and chains, and rollers.
I've run a 300-5 hd. I've also run a 300-5 lc and in my opion you could definetly tell the difference in how much more stable a hd was. Just wish the komatsu machines were not so slow.
If you have run a slow Dash 5 Komatsu then there was something wrong. The common problems were slugged bell housing, burned out speed sensor, prolux switch thrown, partially plugged fuel strainer or some idiot who thought they knew how to adjust the system screwed everything up. The other issue is that they haven't made them for about twelve years so you might have had a totally worn out unit. Set up properly, those were in the top five smoothest and fastest machines I've ever put my hands into.
I hope the 300-8 will be just as smooth and fast if not better, keeping my fingers cross. 555+
JohnC is right. Komatsu machines are the fastest powerfull and the smoothest to operate
Maybe it was out of adjustment in the pumps for speed but it still had lots of power. One guy was using the 300 hd and ripped the bottom out of a good easco 24" bucket. Even a bit slower I would still take that older 300 over some of this newer stuff when you start diging in the rock.