Construction Equipment News

John Deere is celebrating 50 years of backhoe loaders, a history of innovation and excellence that first started with the introduction of the JD310 model in 1971. Today, the 310L, the latest generation of the original model, remains a cornerstone within the John Deere backhoe lineup as a result of the continuous improvement to the design and efficient performance.

Offering premium performance in the 9- to 11-tonne (10- to 12-ton) wheel loader class, the new Cat 980 and 982 medium wheel loaders are up to 10% more productive and lower maintenance costs up to 20% when compared to the previous 980M and 982M powershift models. New to this class of medium wheel loaders, the Cat 980 XE and 982 XE models feature a Caterpillar designed and manufactured continuous variable transmission (CVT) that delivers increased fuel efficiencies up to 35% and lower maintenance costs up to 25% compared to the M series models. These new wheel loaders include an expanded technology platform to increase machine performance and improve operating efficiency. 

The faster your construction crew reaches a state of maximum productivity, the better it is for your bottom line. Have you ever watched crews, surrounded by modern equipment, begin a job by pounding a wooden stake into the ground and think, “Isn’t there a better way?” There is.

With innovative intelligent Machine Control (iMC 2.0), Komatsu’s smallest intelligent dozer, the D39i-24 lets you program 3D design data directly into the 105 HP machine. Operators — even those with less experience — can work with utmost efficiency, guided by sophisticated automation. Through automatic dozing, rough cut to finish grade, Komatsu’s iMC 2.0-equipped D39i-24 helps make every pass count for superior production, compared to traditional aftermarket systems.

Liebherr is increasing the availability of its fully automatic LIKUFIX quick-change system for additional wheel loader models. LIKUFIX is now available for the two compact loaders L 506 and L 508, for the two stereo loaders L 507 and L 509 as well as for the XPower® large wheel loaders up to the L 580. As before, LIKUFIX is still available for the medium-sized Liebherr wheel loaders L 526, L 538 and L 546.

Breakers are a flexible and crucial attachment used for a wide variety of jobs, including tunneling, trenching, foundation removal, dredging, bridge demolition, quarry excavation, mining and more. To meet growing demand in North America, Komatsu is expanding its product line of hydraulic breakers. Designed and tested for compatibility with Komatsu excavators from the PC78 up to the PC490,  the high-percussion efficiency and unique variable energy technology of these breakers are built to provide high production in multiple applications.

Hitachi Construction & Mining Division, an operating division of John Deere Construction & Forestry Company (“Hitachi”), rolled out options for its grade control technology, on select excavators, including 2D Grade Control and Solution Linkage 3D Grade Control, which allow an operator to set a grade and hold it. The new factory-integrated technology increases efficiency while also lowering daily operating costs by enabling operators to spend less time getting the grade right the first time.

Caterpillar is expanding its single drum vibratory soil compactor line with the introduction of the new 84-in (2134 mm) Cat GC Series, built for simple operation, high reliability and low cost-per-hour performance. Offering high static linear load and more weight at the drum for superior compaction, the new series consists of the 10-tonne-class CS10 GC, 11-tonne CS11 GC and CP11 GC, and 12-tonne CS12 GC and CP12 GC. With both smooth (CS) and padfoot (CP) drum models available for compaction of granular and cohesive soils, the new models deliver reliable performance for road building, site preparation, large residential construction, large earth fill and agriculture applications.

The R 928 G8 crawler excavator is a completely new model, developed and produced by Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar. The new model positioned between the R 926 G8 and the R 930 G8 complements the current Generation 8 series, which already includes 7 models with a gross vehicle weight of 22 to 45 tonnes. The modularity of the new Generation 8 facilitated the launch of this new model as its design is based on existing, high-performance components. This new, weight-optimised combination should significantly reduce the transport problems of many customers.

New product updates to the Cat PM620, PM622, PM820, PM822 and PM825 half-lane cold planers include numerous improvements based on customer feedback to ease operation and lower owning and operating costs. Five years ago, Caterpillar brought a fresh line-up of cold planers to the market and have been continuously working on improvements to the product line ever since. The 2021 product release marks the third update to these models since they were first introduced.

Caterpillar is expanding its 2- to 5-tonne product offering by introducing ten new tandem and combination utility compactors that deliver increased productivity, unmatched efficiency, simple operation and easy maintenance. The new line includes weight-based model nomenclature changes with the new Cat CB2.5/CB2.5 GC replacing the CB22B, CB2.7/CB2.7 GC replacing the CB24B, CC2.7/CC2.7 GC replacing the CC24B, CB2.9 replacing the CB32B, CB4.0 replacing the CB34B, CC4.0 replacing the CC34B and the new CB4.4 replacing the CB36B. These versatile rollers take on a range of soil and asphalt applications, including parking lots, driveways, urban streets, landscaping and small construction sites.

Building on a nearly 50-year legacy of delivering maximum compaction performance and rugged durability, the new Cat 816 Landfill Compactors features improved guarding and structure engineering to optimize uptime availability. New grouping of service points reduces time spent on maintenance, while the compactor’s updated cab design increases operator comfort and productivity.

The new Cat 815 Soil Compactor features technology upgrades to help increase productivity and efficiency, so more area is compacted in less time on large earthworks projects. New machine designs and revised service groupings combine to cut maintenance costs up to 9%. With all components relocated from the cab roof to lower overall transport height, the redesigned operator’s cab upgrades the steering and climate controls to elevate comfort.

Volvo CE is adding to its demolition lineup with the new 38-ton EC380E Straight Boom excavator, which replaces the traditional boom-and-stick approach with a 23-foot straight boom and purpose-built arm. This custom-built excavator offers a significant height advantage over standard models along with outstanding reach, stability, cab protections and durability, making it an ideal choice for those working in tough demolition applications.

The R 976-E electric crawler excavator, along with the R 980 SME-E, replaces the ER 974 B for mine and quarry extraction. The latest electric excavators to be developed and produced by Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar, France, they are not just converted diesel machines. The excavators and their electric power system were designed and produced entirely by Liebherr.

Volvo Construction Equipment has redefined its Compact Assist offering for asphalt compactors with the launch of a new entry-level package. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to customer productivity, Volvo CE has introduced Compact Assist Start, a new introductory package of their Intelligent Compaction system, Compact Assist.

The new Cat MH3250 and MH3260 models deliver high efficiency in demanding material handling applications. Replacing the Cat 330D MH and 345 C MH models respectively, the Next Generation MH3250 and MH3260 tracked material handlers boast longer maintenance intervals and improved fuel efficiency to decrease owning and operating costs up to 20%. An entirely new cab concept elevates operator comfort throughout the shift to increase productivity.

In the five years since their debut, Liebherr’s XPower large wheel loaders have established themselves as forerunners in terms of fuel efficiency and stability. Liebherr is now updating two models in the series - the L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower. To further boost performance, Liebherr has reinforced the lift arms and overhauled the working hydraulics. Innovations also include increased tip load, breakout force and engine power. The two performance-optimized models are now available to order from all Liebherr sales partners.

Building on a more than half-century legacy that includes the best-selling large mining loader model of all time, the new Cat 992 Wheel Loader sets a new standard by offering up to 32% greater productivity. This new large mining loader reduces maintenance costs by as much as 10% and offers up to 48% greater payload-per-fuel efficiency than the earlier model 992K.

Contractors looking for a machine with performance and versatility in an easy-to-transport package, will want to take a look at the Komatsu PC88MR-11 excavator. The reduced tail swing radius on the PC88MR-11 makes it ideal for work on roadways, bridges, urban areas, or anywhere space is limited.

Volvo Construction Equipment is boosting its compact excavator range in North America with two new short-swing models: the ECR50 and ECR58. The 5-ton ECR50 is a new entry for Volvo in North America, while the 6-ton ECR58 gains performance updates from the contractor-favorite D-series model.