Hire and Rental News - August 2019

Online parts portal and new website for Komatsu A new cross platform, Komatsu online parts customer portal called myKomatsu, that allows parts to be ordered via computer, smartphone or tablet and then tracked to delivery, is now available in Australia 24/7. T odd Connolly, Komatsu’s General Manager, Construction Solutions said this new sales channel aligns with the company’s philosophy of being ‘easy to do business with’. “Ordering parts for earthmoving equipment can be a complex and time-consuming task, but myKomatsu has been developed based on our customer-first philosophy,” Todd said. “Our industry-leading site offers customers multiple ways to find the correct part, including by part number, key word, parts book or machine type, make and model, with customers able to use whatever method best suits them. “And once an online order has been placed, the order automatically passes through our business systems within minutes until it is ready to be dispatched from the nearest distribution centre.” myKomatsu has been primarily designed for Komatsu’s utility and construction customers - many of whom typically have only one or a few machines, Todd said. “We aim for it to be a self- service tool for our smaller customers, through its easy access to parts searching and the ability to buy the exact parts they need when it suits them, any time of the day or night,” Todd said. “It also offers significant benefits for larger construction and utility fleet owners who may prefer to manage their parts ordering online. myKomatsu introduces a number of new features. “These include online credit card payment options and the ability to track the progress of deliveries in real time,” he said. “We also have automatic supersession management, which means if a particular part has been superseded the customer will automatically be offered the updated part.” myKomatsu also gives customers the choice of being able to purchase anonymously as a Guest, or to register and have their existing offline trade account fully integrated with their online account. Deliveries are free of charge for orders over $500. Komatsu has also redeveloped komatsu.com.au to provide its heavy machinery customers with swift access to information and services and enabling direct access to its Customer Support Centre with a live one-on-one webchat function. Designed to open portals to all essential Komatsu services including after sales support and exclusive customer enhancements, Komtrax and Smartconstruction, the new website gives special attention to providing an intuitive user experience with easy navigation and search functions. The website has a news function and a direct link to an offers page which gives users first access to purchase opportunities. Users also have the option to subscribe to Komatsu’s free e-newsletter. “On-line customer interaction has been expanding exponentially in all industries including ours,” Komatsu’s National Marketing Manager Wafaa Ghali said. “Our challenge has been to combine electronic communication with person- to-person service which has been a hallmark of Komatsu’s success with its customers,” she said. Wafaa said the website would fast track access to Komatsu. It would also link to Komatsu’s partners and affiliates to create a complete chain of services. n Visit: www.komatsu.com.au A new compact loader series from Finnish manufacturer Avant Tecno plans to be available nationally in Australia from Avant Equipment in November 2019, and offers 1,900kg lift capacity and 3.5m lift height. The Avant 800 series articulated compact loader is 1.5m wide, 3.4m long, 2.2m high and has a weight starting from 2,500kg. Other features include: a hydrostatic transmission with a hydraulic drive motor on each wheel; two drive speed areas; maximum drive speed of 30 km/h; with auxiliary hydraulics oil flow for attachments up to 80l/min. A telescopic loader boom is standard on the Avant 800 series and extends and retracts 825mm hydraulically with a maximum lift height of 3.5m to the hinge pin. This enables loading on trucks with high sides and unloading from high levels, Avant Equipment said. The hydraulic self levelling system automatically keeps the load level when lifting and lowering the boom. The Avant 800 series is equipped with a quick attach system and other systems like Euro 3 will be available as an option. The hydraulic attachment hoses are coupled with a multi connector that allows easy connection, in all conditions, with a single hand movement. The Avant 800 series has a certified ROPS/FOPS open cab as standard; an enclosed DLX heated cab is available as an option. This DLX cab mounts on the chassis of the compact loader with anti-vibration mounts, which guarantees excellent noise and vibration isolation. Efficient heating, ventilation and large windows further improve user comfort. The DLX cab can also be air conditioned. A comprehensive Avant attachment range includes over 200 attachments. n Contact: 1800 686 411 or visit: www.avantequipment.com New Finnish compact 800 series loader Avant 800 series compact loader P56 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS AUGUST 2019 EARTHMOVING & MINI EQUIPMENT