The Doosan DX300MH-5 is a purpose-built heavy-duty material handling machine derived from Doosan’s proven excavator platform. Designed to meet the demanding requirements of scrap yards, ports, recycling facilities and industrial material handling environments, this model combines excavator robustness with specialized features that optimize reach, stability and attachment control. In the following sections we explore the machine’s design philosophy, typical applications, technical and operational highlights, and practical considerations for buyers and fleet managers.

Overview and key characteristics

The Doosan DX300MH-5 belongs to the class of purpose-adapted excavators often referred to as material handlers. Unlike standard construction excavators, material handlers are configured with extended booms, specialized upper-structure counterweights, reinforced undercarriages and dedicated hydraulic circuits to support continuous lifting and rotation tasks with a range of heavy attachments. The DX300MH-5 builds on the proven base of Doosan’s DX300 series and is tailored for long-reach operations and high cyclic load environments.

Doosan DX300MH-5 stands out for a combination of reach, stability and attachment flexibility. Typical buyers value its ability to work with grapples, electromagnets, clamshell buckets, and rotators while providing predictable control and uptime in punishing conditions.

Design and technical features

Chassis and counterweight

The DX300MH-5 platform features a reinforced undercarriage and an enlarged counterweight compared to standard excavators to improve stability during high-reach and lifting operations. Track gauge, track shoe width and undercarriage reinforcement are optimized to provide a stable footprint, while counterweight options allow fine-tuning of lifting performance versus transport weight.

Boom and stick options

Material handler configurations typically include long booms and sticks, often with mono- or two-piece designs to achieve extended vertical and horizontal reach. The DX300MH-5 offers a range of boom and arm options to meet different job profiles — from high-reach scrap sorting to medium-reach bulk loading. The geometry of the boom and stick is engineered to maintain lift capacity at working radii typical for port cranes and scrap handlers.

Hydraulics and powertrain

A dedicated hydraulics package is one of the defining features of material handlers. The DX300MH-5 is equipped with pumps and control systems designed to deliver steady, high-flow hydraulic power for attachments while ensuring smoothhousekeeping functions such as rotation and boom motion. The machine employs priority flow management and pressure-compensated systems to balance simultaneous functions and provide responsive control for precision handling.

hydraulic systems in material handlers are also optimized for continuous-duty cycles and often include enhanced cooling and filtration to cope with the heavier thermal and contamination loads typical of recycling and port work.

Cab and operator controls

Material handlers are frequently operated for long shifts and in tasks requiring precise attachment manipulation. The DX300MH-5 is available with cabs that prioritize visibility, ergonomics and control precision. Elevated and tilting cab options are often offered to improve the operator’s view over piles and stockpiles. Proportional joystick controls, adjustable seating and intuitive display systems reduce operator fatigue and increase task accuracy.

operator comfort is an important selling point for machines in this class because a comfortable operator can maintain higher productive hours with fewer mistakes and less downtime.

Primary applications and use cases

The DX300MH-5 is intended for heavy material handling tasks across a variety of industries. Below are the most common applications where this machine is typically deployed:

• Scrap yards and recycling facilities — sorting, loading and moving mixed scrap with grapples or magnets.
• Ports and terminals — bulk material handling, container yard work and quay-side operations with magnet and grab attachments.
• Demolition and processing — handling demolition debris, separating metal fractions, and feeding crushers or shredders.
• Timber and biomass yards — loading and stacking logs, wood chips and biomass feedstocks.
• Industrial yards and foundries — handling heavy castings or raw material feeds where reach and precise placement are required.

Each of these applications benefits from the machine’s extended reach and attachment interchangeability. For example, an electromagnet mounted on the DX300MH-5 can handle steel scrap at a port, then be swapped for an orange-peel grapple for sorting operations in a recycling yard.

Performance, capacities and statistics

Exact specifications for any given DX300MH-5 configuration will vary depending on optional booms, counterweights and attachments. The model is derived from a 30-ton class base and therefore typically occupies an operating weight bracket in the roughly 28–33 tonne range (variables include attachments and counterweight). Power outputs for base engines on this class are generally in the range of 150–200 kW (200–270 hp), depending on the emissions stage and market.

Common performance characteristics and approximate statistical figures for machines in this category include:

• Operating weight: approximately 28,000–33,000 kg (configuration dependent)
• Engine power: typically around 150–200 kW
• Maximum reach: depending on boom configuration, vertical reach can exceed 10–12 meters; horizontal reach for loading operations often ranges between 8–12 meters
• Fuel tank capacity: commonly 300–500 liters, enabling extended duty cycles between refuels
• Hydraulic oil capacity: typically several hundred liters to support continuous attachment operation and cooling

Lift capacity at specific radii varies substantially with boom/arm selection and counterweight options. A material handler of this class is engineered to lift multiple tonnes at nearer radii (for example, several tonnes at 4–6 meters) while maintaining safe working envelopes at extended reaches.

Note: precise figures for your specific DX300MH-5 should be confirmed with the dealer or manufacturer data sheets, because attachment choices and counterweight packages materially change lifting charts and transport weights.

Attachments and versatility

One of the DX300MH-5’s chief strengths is its ability to work with a wide range of attachments. Common attachment categories include:

• Hydraulic grapples (demolition and scrap grapples)
• Orange-peel grapples for scrap sorting
• Electromagnets for ferrous material handling
• Clamshell buckets and clamshell grabs for bulk handling
• Rotators and tilt devices for material orientation
• Quick couplers for rapid attachment swaps

Attachment selection determines cycle times, fuel consumption and effective throughput. Machines equipped with larger magnets or heavier grapples require more counterweight for stable lifting and may need higher hydraulic flow rates for optimal responsiveness.

Operator environment, controls and safety features

Modern material handlers place a premium on safety and operator ergonomics. The DX300MH-5 offers features that reduce risk and improve productivity:

• Elevated and panoramic cabs for improved visibility
• Optional tilting cabs to match operator sightlines to high-reach tasks
• Proportional joystick controls for fine manipulation of attachments
• Integrated camera systems and 360-degree awareness packages available for blind-spot reduction
• Load moment indicators and stability monitoring systems to prevent operation beyond safe envelopes
• Rollover and falling-object protective structures (ROPS/FOPS) adapted for material handling tasks

safety systems such as overload protection and automatic slew cut-offs when limits are exceeded are commonly available factory options or dealer-fitted packages for machines operating in public or mixed-use environments.

Fuel efficiency and environmental considerations

Fuel consumption for material handlers will depend heavily on duty cycle, attachment type and operator technique. Doosan’s MH-5 series improvements typically include optimized hydraulic controls and engine management systems to reduce unnecessary fuel burn during idle and low-load periods. Features that improve efficiency include:

• Auto-idle and auto-shutdown functions
• Hydraulic flow control and load-sensing systems
• Advanced engine control strategies meeting regional emissions standards (Tier 4 / Stage V in many markets)

For operations sensitive to emissions and fuel costs, choosing the correct attachment and employing operator training can reduce fuel consumption and decrease CO2 outputs per tonne moved. The availability of alternative power-train technologies (hybridization, electrification) is increasing in the material handling sector, though retrofit and new-model availability depend on region and work profile.

fuel efficiency gains are most notable when hydraulic systems reduce heat losses and when operators adopt best-practice cycling and attachment matching.

Maintenance, serviceability and lifecycle costs

Fleet managers judge material handlers not just by purchase price but by uptime and lifecycle cost. The DX300MH-5 is designed with serviceability in mind:

• Ground-level maintenance points and grouped service access panels simplify routine checks
• Long service intervals for major components where possible, combined with easy-to-reach filters and drains
• Robust cooling packages and filtration systems reduce the risk of hydraulic overheating and contamination-related failures
• Remote telematics and machine monitoring (where specified) allow predictive maintenance and remote fault diagnosis

maintenance regimes tailored to high-shock, high-cycle environments are essential. Regular inspection of wear points (pins, bushings, slewing bearings) and hydraulic hoses is critical in recycling and scrap environments where contamination and cyclic shock are common.

Practical tips for procurement and operation

When evaluating a DX300MH-5 or comparable material handler, consider the following:

• Define the most frequent task (scrap sorting, bulk loading, magnet work) and choose boom/arm and counterweight options accordingly.
• Request lifting charts for your planned attachment and operating radii to ensure required performance.
• Assess transport restrictions and site limitations; some high-reach configurations may require special permits or disassembly for road movement.
• Specify visibility and camera packages if operating in congested yards or public terminals.
• Factor in telematics and service agreements to maximize uptime and control operating costs.

Operator training is also a high-return investment: trained operators deliver faster cycle times, safer handling and less wear on the machine.

Case examples and typical outputs

Examples illustrating how a DX300MH-5 might be used help convey practical capability:

• At a medium-sized port terminal, a DX300MH-5 fitted with an electromagnet can load and unload scrap steel into bulk carriers at rates ranging between several hundred and a few thousand tonnes per day depending on vessel size and shift patterns.
• In a recycling yard, a DX300MH-5 with an orange-peel grapple and rotator enables operators to sort mixed scrap, feed shredders, and manage processed outputs with high precision, often reducing manual rework and increasing throughput by a noticeable percentage compared to smaller handlers.
• At a timber yard, an MH-configured Doosan can stack log trains efficiently using a specialized timber grapple, with cycle times and stacking density improved by the machine’s reach and controlled slewing.

Strengths, limitations and competitive considerations

Strengths of the DX300MH-5 class include durability, versatility and the ability to adapt to multiple attachments. The long-boom geometry and heavy counterweight packages make it a strong choice where reach and lifting stability are required. Doosan’s global dealer network supports parts and service in many regions, which is a logistical advantage for fleets operating across sites.

Limitations are largely inherent to the class: larger, more specialized port cranes or ship-to-shore equipment will outperform a material handler in sheer continuous lift capacity, while very compact yards may find a full-size MH-5 too large or heavy for certain surfaces. Transport logistics for long-reach configurations can add complexity and cost.

durability and parts availability from a major OEM like Doosan typically reduce total cost of ownership, but fleet managers should still evaluate local dealer capabilities and spare-parts lead times before committing to a purchase.

Summary

The Doosan DX300MH-5 is a robust and flexible material handler solution tailored to demanding heavy-duty environments such as scrap yards, ports and recycling facilities. It combines extended reach, dedicated hydraulic systems and an adaptable attachment platform that make it suitable for a wide range of material handling tasks. Considerations for procurement should focus on the intended duty cycle, attachment selection, operator visibility and available service support. With appropriate configuration and operator training, the DX300MH-5 offers a compelling mix of performance, uptime and versatility for medium-to-large handling operations.