Crawler dozer · Komatsu
Komatsu D53A-18: transport dimensions, weight and how it ships overseas
The Komatsu D53A-18 usually goes in 1 × 40 ft high cube, from our loading records for related models (Komatsu D53-16, Komatsu D53PX-17). Shipped whole, it goes on a 40 ft flat rack (3 ft 1 in / 0.95 m over height), or RoRo where a lane serves your port.
- Transport length
- 15 ft 8 in / 4.77 m
- Transport width
- 7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m
- Transport height
- 9 ft 6 in / 2.91 m
- Weight
- 28,600 lb / 12,990 kg
Komatsu D53A-18 transport drawing
Scroll sideways to read the drawing, or turn your phone.
1920 × 1240 px. Free to use with a link to this page.
Side elevation, end elevation against a 40 ft high-cube door opening, and plan, all at one scale from Komatsu's published transport dimensions. Red hatching marks what stands outside the door opening. Schematic; not for lifting or engineering.
Komatsu D53A-18 transport specifications
| Specification | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Transport length | 15 ft 8 in / 4.77 m | blade on the ground, no ripper |
| Transport width | 7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m | over the tracks, 18 in (460 mm) shoes |
| Transport height | 9 ft 6 in / 2.91 m | to the top of the cab or ROPS |
| Weight | 28,600 lb / 12,990 kg | operating weight |
| Track gauge | 6 ft 2 in / 1.88 m | |
| Blade width | 12 ft 3 in / 3.75 m | standard blade; wider than the tracks, comes off to ship |
| Ground clearance | 1 ft / 0.32 m | |
| Machine type | Crawler dozer | |
| Configuration | Dry-land D53A-18 with the 12,286 ft 9 in (3.745 m) angle blade, 18 in (460 mm) shoes and the ROPS canopy; height to the canopy. From Komatsu's archived Japanese spec pages (2000), the last Komatsu figures for the D53. | |
Manufacturer documents
- Manufacturer specification page (D53A-18, 2000)
- Manufacturer specification page (D53P-18, 2000)
- Komatsu product page
Links and figures checked October 2026. Linked from the manufacturer; we do not host them.
Published figures for the configuration shown. Shoes, tyres, buckets, counterweights and options change them, so we confirm the dimensions on your machine before booking.
Every way to ship a Komatsu D53A-18, best first
Loaded by Seaway
How we load the Komatsu D53A-18
Our loading records list earlier and sister models of the Komatsu D53A-18 (Komatsu D53-16, Komatsu D53PX-17). The usual plan is 1 × 40 ft high cube.
- 1 × 40 ft high cube
- Before loading: cab or ROPS removed and crated, blade off, driven into the box.
From our dismantling and loading records, checked July 2026. Your machine's year, attachments and options can change the boxes; we confirm before booking.
Our loading records come first. The rest is worked out from the dimensions above against container, flat rack and RoRo limits; RoRo depends on a regular sailing to your port.
| # | Best method | Fit | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Our usual plan: 1 × 40 ft high cubeBest fit | From our loading records | cab or ROPS removed and crated, blade off, and driven into the box |
| 2 | 40 ft flat rack | Out-of-gauge | Ships assembled, blocked and lashed; out-of-gauge surcharge applies (3 ft 1 in / 0.95 m over height). |
| 3 | RoRo | Where a RoRo lane serves the destination | Drives on assembled where a RoRo lane serves the destination. |
| 4 | Breakbulk | Fits as is | Lifted aboard by crane as breakbulk; used when no flat rack or RoRo option suits the port. |
Will it fit? Published configurations
Komatsu publishes the transport dimensions for more than one configuration; pick yours and the verdict updates.
- Transport envelope
- 15 ft 8 in × 7 ft 8 in × 9 ft 6 in (4.77 × 2.34 × 2.91 m)28,600 lb (12,990 kg)
- Best fit
- 40 ft high-cube containerFits after partial disassembly
- 40 ft high-cube door
- Fits after partial disassembly
Only configurations the manufacturer publishes; the survey at pickup confirms the figures before booking.
Komatsu D53A-18 generations and how each has shipped
| Generation | Years (approx.) | How Seaway has loaded it |
|---|---|---|
| D53A-18 / D53P-18 | — | No record yet; measured at pickup and quoted both ways |
Production years are approximate; the serial plate settles the generation, and transport dimensions differ a little between them.
Comparable dozers from other brands
| Machine | L × W × H (transport) | Weight | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Komatsu D53A-18 | 15 ft 8 in × 7 ft 8 in × 9 ft 6 in (4.77 × 2.34 × 2.91 m) | 28,600 lb / 12,990 kg | 1 × 40 ft high cube |
| CAT D4 | 16 ft 10 in × 7 ft 8 in × 9 ft 9 in (5.14 × 2.33 × 2.97 m) | 29,300 lb / 13,272 kg | 1 × 40 ft high cube |
| Liebherr PR 716 | 15 ft 11 in × 7 ft 8 in × 9 ft 11 in (4.85 × 2.34 × 3.02 m) | 29,300 lb / 13,290 kg | 40 ft high-cube container |
| Case 1150M | 16 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in × 9 ft 8 in (5.09 × 2.39 × 2.96 m) | 31,600 lb / 14,330 kg | 1 × 40 ft high cube |
Same machine type within 20% of the weight. Each links to its own page with its published dimensions and verdict.
Where machines like the Komatsu D53A-18 go
AustraliaTransit 28-35 daysImport duty 0%HS 8429.11 · 2023
Biosecurity cleaning is inspected on arrival; we clean before loading.
Quote to Australia
GhanaTransit 20-28 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.11 · 2023
Customs declarations go through Ghana's ICUMS system.
Quote to Ghana
United Arab EmiratesTransit 20-28 daysImport duty 5%HS 8429.11 · 2023
Jebel Ali is a common re-export hub for the Gulf and East Africa.
Quote to United Arab Emirates
PhilippinesTransit 18-28 daysImport duty 0%HS 8429.11 · 2023
Usually shipped from the West Coast on flat racks.
Quote to Philippines
Duty rates (most-favoured-nation, averaged across the HS lines of the machine class): UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff
Preparing a Komatsu D53A-18 for export
- Tier 4 Final and Stage V engines need ultra-low-sulfur diesel (15 ppm or less) and DEF. Where only high-sulfur diesel is sold, the after-treatment clogs, so check fuel quality or source a lower-tier export machine.
- Telematics (such as Cat Product Link, Komtrax or JDLink) may stop working abroad; the dealer can transfer or end the subscription before export.
- HD785 and larger rigid trucks ship with the dump body off; RoRo works where a lane exists, otherwise breakbulk.
Komatsu D53A-18 shipping questions
Does a Komatsu D53A-18 fit in a shipping container?
Not in one piece: at 9 ft 6 in (2.91 m) high it is taller than a 40 ft high-cube door (8 ft 6 in / 2.58 m). Taken apart, it goes in 1 × 40 ft high cube, the plan from our loading records.
How much does a Komatsu D53A-18 weigh for shipping?
Komatsu lists the Komatsu D53A-18 at 28,600 lb (12,990 kg) (operating weight); the bill of lading uses your machine's own weight.
What are the shipping dimensions of a Komatsu D53A-18?
15 ft 8 in × 7 ft 8 in × 9 ft 6 in (4.77 × 2.34 × 2.91 m) (length × width × height) in transport position, from Komatsu's published specifications for the Komatsu D53A-18.
What has to come off a Komatsu D53A-18 to ship it?
For 1 × 40 ft high cube: cab or ROPS removed and crated, blade off, and driven into the box. Our crew does the work, crates and labels the loose parts and documents everything for reassembly.
Can a Komatsu D53A-18 ship RoRo?
Yes, where a RoRo lane serves your destination port. It drives on under its own power. RoRo from the U.S. reaches fewer countries than containers and flat racks, so we check your port first.