Komatsu's PC290LL-11 is their new Log Loader and Road Builder

Whether you're looking for a new log loader or road builder to enhance your logging operation, the new Komatsu PC290LL-11 is probably worth a good look. Komatsu just announced the addition of the new PC290LL-11 to its current log loader product lineup. The PC290LL-11 can be configured with either a 40’ reach live heel log loader or a 34’ reach road builder and features a 196 net horsepower (213 Gross HP), EPA Tier 4 Final, Komatsu SAA6D107E-3 engine. 52” or 58” tong opening forestry grapples are also available, along with an optional Soft Swing System to improve the stability when swinging heavy loads.

The PC290LL-11 touts better performance and reliability with a new high capacity cooling system, which provides wide core cooling fins (3 mm vs. 1.75 mm fin spacing for standard cores) for radiator, hydraulic oil cooler and charge air cooler. To reduce debris accumulation and cleaning time, the HD 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick cooler air intake door is waffle-screened and sealed.


The logging machine touts PC360-class final drives that generate 64,250 lbs. of drawbar pull for shovel logging and rough terrain performance. Meanwhile, the PC390-class swing motor and drive with 75,902 ft lbs. swing torque deliver excellent log loading and road building performance.

Depending on your configuration, the Log Loader has an approximate operating weight of 89,730 lb. (40,700 kg) and Road Builder is 82,230 lb. (37,300 kg).


The standard forestry guarding package includes:

• New, right-hand corner guard system with rugged tree deflector with a “hockey stick” design that can be removed or reverse-mounted for transport, in addition to protected LED lighting.
• Debris screens on all engine hood cover openings.
• Screened exhaust outlet.
• HD 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick engine, hydraulic and cooler service doors are more than 3 times thicker than those on standard excavators.
• HD 3/8 inch (9 mm) thick revolving frame undercovers are removable for service access; panels are 1.5 times thicker than those on standard excavators.

The forestry undercarriage on the PC290LL-11 has 28 inches of ground clearance, one-piece carbody with HD front/rear tow hooks and HD front/rear tie-downs, and full length rock guards with ski-type track supports. Other undercarriage features include reinforced and guarded front idlers with high capacity recoil springs and track guides, HD full support straddle-mounted carrier rollers and upper track guides, 28” (700 mm) double grouser or 28” (700 mm triple grouser track shoes, PC350 8.5” pitch grease-sealed track components, and two-piece HD hinged swivel guard.

To help meet local regulations and reduce the need for special transport permits, the transport width has been narrowed to 11’5” (3492 mm). The tree deflector and track frame steps can now be removed or reverse-mounted the keep the transport width of 11'5".

The Komatsu PC290LL-11 Cab features include:

• ROPS/OPS/FOPS/TOPS/FOG/WCB/Oregon OSHA certified forestry cab.
• Choice of 48” hydraulic tilt or 7” fixed cab risers.
• All cab and work equipment lights are LED to enhance illumination in low light conditions.
• Large polycarbonate windows (front is 22 mm thick) and skylight improve working visibility.
• Utilizes the Komatsu excavator cab interior, which has excellent fit & finish.
• High back, fully adjustable and heated air suspension seat is standard.
• New, more comfortable, lower profile pilot proportional control (PPC) levers are used to control the boom, arm and heel functions.
• New, thumb-actuated, electro-proportional control (EPC) sliding buttons provide smoother and more precise attachment control of the grapple, bucket thumb, etc.
• Updated, large, 7” high resolution LCD monitor, with a new split-display mode that displays both a rear camera view and key machine-gauge data at the same time.
• Automatic air conditioner, heater & defroster system.
• AM/FM stereo radio, auxiliary input jack for iPod or MP3 player, two 12-volt outlets, one 24-volt outlet, cup holder, hot/cold food storage box and magazine box.
• KOMTRAX Level 5 technology feeds the operator machine data, such as fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) levels, Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), regeneration status, location, cautions and maintenance alert information.

The PC290LL-11 is covered by the Komatsu CARE program for the first three years or 2000 hours, whichever comes first. Komatsu CARE includes scheduled factory maintenance, a 50-point inspection at each service and up to two complimentary Komatsu DPF exchanges and up to two DEF tank flushes in the first five years.