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+--- Thread: Komatsu PC400-7 Excavator User Report: Durable and High-Performance (/thread-5674.html)
Komatsu PC400-7 Excavator User Report: Durable and High-Performance - MikePhua - 06-29-2025
I purchased three Komatsu PC400-7 excavators, and after two months of use, the working hours have now reached around 2500 hours for each machine, with the initial hours being about 2000. The machine numbers are 5, 8, and 9, and I will provide an overview of the condition of these three excavators, offering insights for those interested in purchasing a 40-ton class excavator.
Excavator No. 5
This machine is mainly used for soil loosening operations, equipped with a ripper. The ripper was purchased for ¥9800. Initially, we used the bucket teeth from a LiuGong 225 excavator, but it was prone to breaking 5-6 teeth every day. It was considered a miracle if the teeth didn’t break within two days.
After multiple adjustments, we finally switched to Komatsu 400 (Diamond-branded) bucket teeth, which improved the situation. Since the PC400-7 is equipped with an electronic fuel injection engine, it had some issues when it arrived here, due to poor fuel quality at the previous job site. As a result, I had to replace the fuel injectors, which cost ¥13,500.
Excavator No. 8
This machine experienced an issue where the main belt broke within 100 hours of use. We then replaced the belts with a large one, incorporating two smaller belts, which cost ¥1300.
Excavator No. 9
This is the most stable of the three machines and the fastest in terms of operation. It is equipped with a 2.1 cubic meter bucket and has no trouble loading material. It can easily outpace the Doosan DH500 with a 3.2 cubic meter bucket.
Performance Comparison
In general, the Komatsu PC400 is significantly more powerful than the PC360. It is also nearly 10 tons heavier than the PC360, but the price is about ¥400,000 higher. Due to its long arm and deep bucket design, the PC400 is better suited for excavating weathered rock. The Doosan DH500, on the other hand, struggles when trying to cut into weathered rock with its oversized bucket, while the PC360’s wider bucket also has difficulty penetrating the material.
In terms of loading speed, the PC400 outperforms the PC360 by a wide margin, making it a much more efficient machine in this regard.
Fuel Consumption
The fuel consumption of the PC400 has been somewhat surprising. Currently, we operate the machine at full throttle:
- In Mode A (high power mode), the fuel consumption is around 50 liters.
- In Mode E (eco mode), the fuel consumption drops to about 40 liters.
Disadvantages of the Komatsu PC400
- No designated grease points
Surprisingly, the PC400 does not have dedicated grease points, except for the open area in the rotating section.
- Overweight transportation issues
The weight of the domestic Komatsu PC400 is 38,500 kg, while the domestic PC400CSE weighs 42,000 kg, and the imported PC400 weighs 42,300 kg. This causes problems with overweight transportation, and even without overloading, we still face penalties. For example, when transporting across provinces, each fine can amount to ¥5000, which makes it risky to use highways.
Overall, the Komatsu PC400-7 excavator is a powerful, stable, and highly efficient machine, making it a reliable tool for any job site. While it has some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of designated grease points and issues with overweight transportation, these don’t detract from its performance as a durable and high-efficiency excavator. If you're considering a 40-ton class excavator, the Komatsu PC400-7 is certainly worth considering.