Komatsu manufactures a range of crushing equipment for the mining industry.
In today’s mining industry, efficient bulk material handling is more than a matter of moving ore from A to B. It’s about doing so safely, reliably, and at the lowest possible cost.
With global demand for critical resources like iron ore and copper continuing to rise, mine operators are under increasing pressure to keep material flowing while minimising downtime, maintenance requirements, and energy use.
Reclaim feeders are at the heart of this challenge. These machines play a vital role in transferring material from stockpiles and bins onto conveyors, trucks, or rail for transport off-site.
Unlike conventional loaders or dozers, reclaim feeders are designed for continuous haulage, providing consistent and controlled material flow. Their adjustable gates and variable-speed drives allow operators to fine-tune throughput to match downstream requirements, reducing spillage and wear on equipment further along the line.
Komatsu has designed its range of reclaim feeders specifically with these operational demands in mind. The company’s focus is on helping mine sites improve productivity while driving down total cost of ownership.
Komatsu’s reclaim feeders are engineered to withstand the harsh environments found on Australian mine sites.
The company’s stacker reclaimers boast an impressive average service life of over 20 years, thanks to heavy-duty steel construction and precision-engineered components. This durability means fewer stoppages for repairs and a lower lifetime cost for operators.
The Stamler RF-5 reclaim feeder can accept pre-engineered bolt-on/plug-in options and upgrades to maximise performance. It also features modern safety features for on-site operation to keep operators safe, including emergency stops, covers, guards and screens. These minimise the operator’s contact with moving parts during operation and maintain a high level of safety.
When Komatsu designed the Stamler RF-5 reclaim feeder, it kept this front of mind and ensured its advanced control system, the Komatsu LINCS II package, could provide the data to achieve this goal.
Operators can use the LINCS II interactive touchscreen display to access real-time information, including power consumption, component condition, conveyor speed, and service intervals. The data is displayed in a customisable dashboard and graphs that can be tailored to the mine’s goals.
Mine operators can use this information to adjust performance to suit their specific applications and conditions, and can control the machine and check machine health remotely through the on-site network using a tablet or smartphone.
This data-driven approach helps operators prevent unplanned downtime and respond quickly to changing conditions on site – ultimately boosting throughput and reducing maintenance costs.
Flexibility is another key consideration for modern miners, particularly contractors working across multiple sites. Komatsu’s reclaim feeders are built with mobility in mind, making them easy to transport and reconfigure for different applications, from coal to hard rock mining.
By combining rugged design, intelligent controls, and a focus on operator safety, Komatsu has created a machine that not only moves material efficiently but also fits seamlessly into today’s connected mine operations.
For Australian miners seeking to improve productivity while keeping costs in check, the company’s reclaim feeders offer a proven solution backed by decades of experience in the field.
This feature appeared in the October 2025 issue of Australian Mining.
