The Odessa, Texas, branch of Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc. sponsored a demo day on Oct. 8, featuring the world’s first automated grade control dozer, the Komatsu D61i-23 and the world’s largest variable reach forklift, the 49,600 lb. (22,498 kg) capacity Manitou MHT 10225 rough terrain forklift.

Branch Manager George Denny and his crew orchestrated the event and made sure that all participants had a hands-on trial of the new Komatsu dozer and an up close in-depth view of the new Manitou variable reach forklift. More than 80 people attended the event and were not only exposed to the attributes of new equipment, but also were treated to onsite grilled hamburgers and all the trimmings.

Along with the knowledgeable Kirby-Smith Machinery staff demonstrating the D61i-23 dozer, all Manitou related questions were fielded by Fabien Ledebt, America’s market and sales support manager; Kevin Caldwell, district development manager; and Heavy Equipment Specialist Chris Shoots at the controls of the MHT 10225 forklift. As a demonstration of the lifting capacity of the MHT 10225, Kirby-Smith lifted a 20,000 lb. (9,072 kg) forklift 32 ft. (9.8 m) high and extended the reach 8 ft. (2.4 m).

The new D61i-23 is the first automated grade control dozer in the world. “It is so simple to operate that it takes a novice dozer operator to a seasoned grade control operator in just a few hours,” said Denny.”

The D61i-23 is a dream to operate and meets all the requirements of the Tier IV standards and includes the factory installed Intelligent Machine Control for finished grade accuracy, Denny continued. “With its power and safety features, the 24.8 ton Manitou rough terrain forklift is suited perfectly for the harsh oilfield work environment. We at Kirby-Smith were most pleased with the turn-out and plan to have periodic Demo Days in the future in order to keep our customers totally appraised of all our new products and technologies as they come on line,”

The D61i-23 dozer is Tier IV compliant, boasts the factory installed Intelligent Machine Control system for automatic control finished grade accuracy, is equipped with a 168 hp (125 kw) engine and has the power angle tilt 4.5 or 5.0 cu. yd. (3.4 or 3.8 cu m) blade.

The 24.8 ton (22.5 t) Manitou 10225 rough terrain forklift can extend to 32 ft. (9.8 m) in height and has a reach of more than 19 ft. (5.8 m) from the ground. With a 58 degree tilt, it is equipped with a safety system (LMI) shut down when the boom and load and are too high and placed at more than 58 degrees.

For more information, call George Denny at 877/794-1800.

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