Komatsu D20A-6 ?

GuglioLS · Jan 8, 2008

Lee,

The D20A-6 diesel is 40 hp. As far as your question about "bog down" sometimes yes sometimes no, depends on soil conditions and if steering. For example if on loose soil and up against an immovable object both tracks will spin and dig in as long as you let it. If on firm undisturbed soil and you dig too deep with the blade, or run up against an immovable object, then yes the engine will bog down till it stalls, if you pull a steering lever with above conditions, then one track will start tearing up the soil and it will start turning without bogging.

LP gas engine? - Personally I would stay away from that setup, simply because it would be very inconvenient to keep it filled. What happens if you run out of fuel in the woods and can't get a LP gas truck near it? My neighbor had an old LP gas Tractor, it spent more time sitting idle being out of fuel, he finally sold it to someone who wanted it for parts.

Rubber tracks? -
I am no expert on tracks, but I think rubber tracks are mostly used in situations where it will be used on or over pavement, concrete or over soil so as not to tear it up. I would imagine rubber tracks have less traction and wear out pretty quickly doing what dozer's normally do. For what you'll be using it for I would go with single grouser steel tracks.

Elevation - I'm at ~ 7000', the power seems to match the size and weight of the dozer. I have never run it at a lower elevation so can't make a comparison. Now, I do travel & rent cars all over the country and oh man there sure is a huge difference in noticeable power of autos at sea level vs being at 5000' and above.

Larry

colej · Sep 22, 2008

Hey Guys I just purchased a d20q-5 Komatsu loader with 974 hrs, from David Greer jr, in Mississippi. Man what a machine. I am very well pleased with the hp and overall operations.The swamp tracks really dig into this east Tn. red clay. And yes at only 1/4 throttle it will fill the bucket. Very easy on fuel. It is the perfect machine for a small time farmer, or small construction business. Very easy to turn in tight places. David has several of these machines dozers and loaders at a reasonable price. He was very accommodating and HONEST. Plus he has a delivery service that is very affordable and quick. I bought the machine on a Wed. and it was delivered on Friday.

etomt · Jun 24, 2011

About the adjustment you made to the turning clutch/brake...discribe the location of access/process of adjusting, if you would...we have a Komatsu 20A that is doing the same thing. Thanks ! earl ettabor@bellsouth.net

etomt · Jun 24, 2011

Would you reply/send a contact # & city in Miss. where David Green may be contacted?? Thanks ! earl ettabor@bellsouth.net 985-229-4314 Kentwood, La. 70444

scoutcub · Jun 27, 2011

etomt said:
Would you reply/send a contact # & city in Miss. where David Green may be contacted?? Thanks ! earl ettabor@bellsouth.net 985-229-4314 Kentwood, La. 70444

Hey Earl-

You might not get a response, if you notice the date, the thread is 3+ years old.....
Good luck and welcome to TBN!

andrewj · Jul 9, 2011

I also have a KOmatsu D20A6 that is doing the same thing! Mine is a 1960s era machine that is made or pure gold as far as I am concerned...the thing has run like a to pfor years. I am anxious to get the turning clutches replaced and get another 20 years out o f this machine. if you find anything out I would really appreciate posting! my cell is 803 360 0756

etomt · Jul 10, 2011

Hi Andrew...Earl here...Just rcv'd your post & am knee-deep into this Komatsu as-we-speak. Unit has been layed-up for years. Gave out in the field & there it stayed. Poor maint. prior to that stoppage didn't prolong the incident. Have studied the situation about the brakeing (turning) problem & know that the steering starts from the hyd. pump (clutch housing mounted) & sproket clutches are actuated by this pump and are further controlled by the steering levers/petals which add a braking band into the picture to actually do the turning of the machine. These bands are adjustable from the rear of the tractor...through two, two-bolt covers...bullet-nosed...& once re-moved...allow for a hex-headed nut to be turned. DO NOT back all the way off on these nuts...the band will then be diss-conneccted from the drum & further tear-down will insue in order to get back to square one. ( I have made that mistake...).
I am no authority on this machine...not by a long-shot...but am learning more & more about it as I try to get it operational. I have not been able to get the engine going...deduct an injector problem...will pull those today for testing tomorrow. I think one or more are leaking & flooding the cyls. ...too wet to start...ring-washed as some call it...cannot get enough compression to fire-up. Will try either-starting...but am not crazy about doing the either thing.
All-in-all...I like what I see in this Komatsu...it is a well-built, well engineered machine. I, like you, will probably love this thing once it is operational.
Stay in touch...my email is ettabor@bellsouth.net...phone is 985-229-4314
Maybe we can help each other out keeping these machines going...and going...and going !!
(Ha-ha...couldn't resist ! )

LATER !! earl

andrewj · Jul 10, 2011

Hey Earl! thanks for the reply, I am going to see what I can do this weekend. I hope you get your machine going - this is the finest machine I own! I have 2 tractors, JD and Kubota, and Komatsu mini ex, and this Komatsu dozer is just a real gem. It is as solid as a tank. thanks again....

GuglioLS · Jul 12, 2011

etomt said:
About the adjustment you made to the turning clutch/brake...discribe the location of access/process of adjusting, if you would...we have a Komatsu 20A that is doing the same thing. Thanks ! earl ettabor@bellsouth.net

Attached is the location of the steering break band cover access port.

Larry

Bruce Australia BD2J · Oct 21, 2011

G'day guys,

Have only just registered on this site, but have been following your posts for a period of time, whilst pondering purchase of a 40HP "baby" Dozer. After much thought I have ended up purchasing a similar machine but one of the opposition to you blokes. A 2002 BD2J with 675 hrs on it came available and like one of the other guys in here I purchased it sight unseen, (Holding breath till Wednesday) but by all reports sounds in good nick. Have enjoyed the friendly banter and free flow of information between you guys and even if not a Komatsu look forward to having a yarn soon.

Bruce

Bruce Australia BD2J · Oct 25, 2011

Machine arrived today, new paint makes a machine look nice but as many say, what does it hide. Mixed emotions of pride, happiness and disappointment, started first kick, but no gauges work, no fuel, no engine temp and no lights working front or rear. dealer assured all worked in yard and was prepared to send someone to see to check , they are 2000kms away...... I've said hold on may be something silly But got to respect that sort of dealer support. Can't wait to play but not before things are working. Mixed messages on availability of filters, one dealer saying they aren't available in Australia other saying they can be cross matched , will see in coming weeks.

Bob Rooks · Oct 25, 2011

Bruce Australia BD2J said:
Machine arrived today, new paint makes a machine look nice but as many say, what does it hide.

Ahh, like women and make-up. :laughing:
Congrats on the dozer. Hopefully it's something simple, like a loose connection or an overly painted ground strap. I would think almost any filter can be crossed referenced.
Here are some Baldwin examples.

http://catalog.baldwinfilter.com/BaldwinOEM.asp

Baldwin Filters E-Catalog

Redneck in training · Oct 25, 2011

Bruce Australia BD2J said:
Machine arrived today, new paint makes a machine look nice but as many say, what does it hide. Mixed emotions of pride, happiness and disappointment, started first kick, but no gauges work, no fuel, no engine temp and no lights working front or rear. dealer assured all worked in yard and was prepared to send someone to see to check , they are 2000kms away...... I've said hold on may be something silly But got to respect that sort of dealer support. Can't wait to play but not before things are working. Mixed messages on availability of filters, one dealer saying they aren't available in Australia other saying they can be cross matched , will see in coming weeks.

Good luck to you. I honestly wish it works for you. Wanted to buy one myself to do some "damage" to my property but at the end I hired a guy to remove bunch of trees with large CAT.

toddbailey · Oct 25, 2011

Good luck with you new "TOY" :thumbsup:

lt12500 · Jun 17, 2012

Hi, I had that problem with mine at one time,I had to send it out and split it open to repair the steering cluch because it froze from lack of use.I am looking to sell mine if you are interested, I has had a bunch of thing reasently dont to it and need nothing.It has low hrs and the original hr meter that works(LOL).If might be interested let me know and I can tell you more about it.Hope this helps a bit.

etomt · Jun 18, 2012

lt12500 said:
Hi, I had that problem with mine at one time,I had to send it out and split it open to repair the steering cluch because it froze from lack of use.I am looking to sell mine if you are interested, I has had a bunch of thing reasently dont to it and need nothing.It has low hrs and the original hr meter that works(LOL).If might be interested let me know and I can tell you more about it.Hope this helps a bit.

Hi lil2500...Yup...Tore the clutch pack down myself...one ****-of-a time getting that thing outta' there...a long story there...for some other time. I know someone who is wanting to buy my little dozer. Depending on the $$ involved...I might consider a side-move to ger into a lower time machine. Reply to ettabor@bellsouth.net or 985-229-4314 to discuss what you have & want for it. Thanks ! etomt

GuglioLS · Aug 4, 2012

Its been a while since I posted an update on my Komatsu D20-A Dozer.

A while back I installed a "Tiny Tach"
Before doing that I did some testing on my tractor to see how well the tractor tach and "Tiny Tach" correlated, I tested it at several RPM's to check linearity. See the results below.....

I was impressed, both the tiny tach and the accuracy of the Tractor tach exceeded my expectations. It's more than just a tach and hour meter, it's got 2 service reminders, a job timer as well as a max RPM indicator.

Now that I'm convinced it works, time to install it on the Dozer which has no tach.

Larry

GuglioLS · Aug 4, 2012

First was to sand all the paint off then install the transducer onto an accessible fuel injector line, then mount the tach to the dash. After making sure the device works properly, I painted over the transducer and injector line per the manufacturers recommendation:

It runs off 12 volts, but the dozer is 24, so I had to make a 24 to 12 volt regulated power supply. No pics of that so as not to bore you.

Larry

GuglioLS · Aug 4, 2012

The below pics describe and show all the features of the tiny tach. I like it.... allot:

I think the last "toy" the Dozer needs now is an oil pressure gauge.

Larry

Bob Rooks · Aug 4, 2012

Very nice work as usual Larry, but you left out one important detail (for me anyway): Where did you get it? It looks like a real winner.

As for your oil pressure gauge, I'll share what I used in three places. Coolant temp, engine oil pressure, and fuel oil pressure (which really helps when I get attacked by the bugs). All are connected to a strobe light under the ROPS. Another option would be a piezo elerctric speaker.