Hitachi ZW550-6 Wheel Loader

April 2, 2019

The ZW550-6 wheel loader is the first in the Dash-6 series from Hitachi Construction Machinery Loader America (HCMA), formerly Kawasaki. The 512-horsepower wheel loader has an operating weight of 104,000 pounds and comes with either an 8.2- or 9-cubic-yard bucket. The Isuzu 6WG1 engine uses DOC and SCR aftertreatment, and it has an auto shutdown feature.

Static tipping load is 73,200 pounds straight and 61,980 at full 37-degree turn. Height to bucket hinge pin is 16.5 feet, with dumping clearance of 11.5 feet at 45 degrees. Dual Z-bar linkage is standard, and breakout force is 83,460 lb.-ft. Parallel Tilt & Lift smoothes digging while the tandem function prioritized the bucket when dumping.

Joystick steering is standard, with traction control, ride control, and auto power-up. Power Mode, activated by a switch on the joystick, boosts power instantly with a 10 percent higher engine rpm. It provides added rim-pull and breakout force for digging into heavy piles or for climbing grades with a full load. It also provides faster hydraulic speed, faster acceleration, and does not limit the loader’s top speed.

A reversible cooling fan can be activated automatically or manually, and aluminum cooling cores ensure cooling efficiency and corrosion-free service life, the company says.

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