New loaders and material handlers are becoming something of a sales charts battleground here in Ireland as manufacturers introduce an increasing number of models to fill every niche they can identify.

Komatsu is one company thoroughly involved in the race to secure customers and it has brought the all-new 10t Komatsu WA170M-11 compact wheel loader to Ireland.

First shown at Bauma this year - one of the leading fairs for construction equipment - Komatsu has high hopes that the WA170M-11 will become a popular choice on both the construction and agricultural side of the market, with utilities and bulk-handling business - such as grain stores - also buying them.

Manufactured in Europe, the loader boasts what Komatsu claims is "exceptional safety, absolute comfort, and a performance that comes without compromise".

The company notes that several units have already been sold to agricultural contractors, with a high level of interest and enquiries received.

Performance-wise, the loader has an operating weight of between 9.6-10.6t, with a tipping load of 7.2t.

With fixed boom loaders, there is often a trade off between tipping height and lifting capacity to ensure stability is not compromised.

While the Komatsu WA170M-11 may have an impressive lifting capacity, its tipping height is just over 9 feet, which will limit its potential for filling grain lorries.

Power is generated by a 130hp engine from the company's own stable, which also provides 550Nm of torque.

Top speed is listed as 20kph, although 40kph is shown on the rear of the machine in promotional images.

Additional features include lockable front and rear axles, auto idle stop timer, tool linkage or Z-bar boom, load-sensing hydraulics, and optional load stabiliser.

What Komatsu describes as "first-class operator comfort" includes automatic air conditioning as standard alongside a high-back comfort seat with headrest.

The seat-mounted control console is two-way adjustable and there is also an enhanced performance fully digital machine monitor display.

Safety strongly features in the loader's specification and relevant items include a high-definition rear view camera, high-visibility steps for safe, easy access, and rear LED working lights with automatic rear-driving activation.

Optional is new Komatsu short-lever joystick steering, heated rear window and mirrors, additional LED / high-lumen LED working lights, and anti-drop valves.