New excavators, dumpers and loaders under the microscope

Komatsu Europe has introduced a new range of five Dash 6 compact wheeled loaders with operating weights from 4.6 t to 7.0 t and bucket volumes from 0.55m³ to 1.8m³.

The new models are the WA65-6, WA70-6, WA80-6, WA90-6 and the WA100M-6. The two largest now have a new Komatsu common-rail engine with more power, and the WA80-6 is equipped with a turbo engine that gives extra power and 23% more lifting and breakout force.

The Dash 6 machines have the same ‘Easy Fork' system as used on the Dash 5 models - combining parallel movement and Z kinematics to allow high payloads with pallet fork applications - and new features include Xenon lights, auto-inching and bigger buckets.

All the Dash 6 compact wheeled loaders have Komatsu's Komtrax asset tracking system fitted as standard, and also a standard is a tilting cabin allowing easy access to all major components of the machine.

Standard features of the spacious cabin include an adjustable steering column and seat, a heated rear window, 360º visibility and ample storage room for personal belongings.

New Takeuchi models with bigger cabs

A higher dozer blade and bigger cab are among the improvements to Takeuchi's 3.5 t TB235 mini-excavator, the recent replacement for the TB135.

The new machine weighs 3500 kg and is a similar size to the TB135, although it has a reduced tail swing of 36mm. The cab is 12% bigger and with additional foot room. Also new is a more powerful, Tier 4 Yanmar engine and an increased alternator capacity from 40 A to 55 A.

Two skid steers extend Wacker Neuson range

Wacker Neuson has expanded its skid-steer loader range with the new 901s and 1101c models.

The 901s has a 907 kg bucket capacity and is powered by a 2011 Deutz diesel engine - with or without turbocharging - and can travel at speeds of up to 18 km/h. The 1101c has a maximum bucket capacity of 1150 kg and uses the turbocharged 2011 Deutz, giving it a top speed of 12 km/h.

Wacker says both models are equipped with tried-and-tested standard features. "This allows us to provide machines capable of meeting the most demanding customer expectations at an entry-level price," says Andreas Gstöttenbauer, product manager for skid-steer loaders at Wacker Neuson.

"Both loaders feature two drive speeds as standard. This accelerates the workflow and facilitates redeployment to the next site."

The machines began production at the beginning of May and add Wacker's existing 501s, 701s and 701sp models, extending the range from 510 kg to 1150 kg bucket capacity and covering 75% of the European skid-steer loader market, according to Wacker.

Curved boom on New Holland backhoe

A curved boom design is one of the notable features of the new B110B backhoe loader from New Holland Construction. The company says the boom design improves digging performance and also increased clearance for easier transport.

The B110B fits into the New Holland backhoes range alongside the B90B, B100B and B115B models. When equipped with an optional hydraulically extended dipper and 4x1 bucket, the B110B has an operating weight of 8.19 t and maximum backhoe digging depth is 5.75 m. Maximum forward reach is 3.19 m and dump height is 4.585 m. Breakout force at the bucket, with dipper retracted, is 6,400 daN.

The loader has a dump height of 2.78 m and a maximum lift capacity, to full height, of 3550 kg.

The backhoe uses the latest Iveco Tier III engine for more power (82 kW) and less fuel consumption and lower emissions. The manufacturer says "Benefits include increased torque, increased performance and increased productivity with lower emissions."

The B110B comes with a completely new, "elegant car-style instrument panel" and now offered as standard is a number of ways of controlling engine rpm, either electronically and independently controlled by the dial-type throttle on the instrument panel, or by a foot pedal.

"If the operator is using the front loader, the foot pedal is much more instinctive and practical whilst, when using the backhoe, he can set the required rpm via the dial-type throttle", says New Holland.

JCB expands mini ranges

JCB has launched three new mini excavators including two versions of the 8055, which will be available as either a reduced or zero tail swing model, writes Becca Wilkins.

Based on JCB's 8045, the 8055 compete in the 5 to 6 t class and will replace the existing 8052. The 8020, which is a development on JCB's 801 series of easier to service, easier to operate and more comfortable machines, will compete in the 1.9 to 2.3 tonne operating weight class and is positioned between the existing 8018 and 8025 models.

A spokesman for JCB says, "With reduced rather than zero tailswing, the 8020 specifically targets the European market where recent towing regulations and the increased popularity of ‘crew cab' style pick up trucks makes this machine the largest that can be legally towed behind this type of vehicle."

He says the 8055 is set to make its mark in the increasingly competitive mini/midi excavator market in both Europe and North America.

New minis from New Holland

New Holland has expanded its mini excavator range in the 1 to 2 t range with the addition of the 1.4 t E16B, the 1.5 t E18B and the short radius 1.6 t E18SR, writes Becca Wilkins.

A spokesman for the company says the E18B and E18SR are equipped with the same hydraulic system installed on the top range machines, with three dedicated hydraulic pumps for totally simultaneous movements in combination with the blade.

The E16B is fitted instead with a traditional hydraulic system with two variable hydraulic pumps, fixed track length and one single travel speed.

The spokesman says the E18SR stands out for its "unparalleled productivity and performance" in the short radius machine range; "The clearance gauge configuration and the adjustable width of the track gauge (from 990 to 1320 mm) make this mini excavator the champion of compactness, transportability and operating stability, particularly suitable for any conditions of application where close spaces are a limiting factor in the construction site."

Case doubles minis

The introduction of the new Series 2 mini excavators from Case has doubled the company's range of 1.5 t machines from two to four models, writes Becca Wilkins.

The new CX15B Series 2 is offered in two versions with its standard dozer blade. The machines can dig to depths of 2.2 m and dump up to 2.47 m, according to the company.

"Although, a slightly smaller machine compared to the CX16B, the CX15B series 2 delivers the same performance, enhanced with the added benefit of higher swing speed for faster cycle times," says a spokesman for Case.

Meanwhile the two-speed CX18B Series 2 is a direct replacement for the CX18B and the new 1.65 t CX17B zts is a new addition to the range offering both variable carriage and zero tail swing. With the tracks retracted, overall width is less than 1 m so it is able to travel through narrow openings.

With the track extended to maximum width of 1.32 m, it has greater stability for more aggressive digging, backfilling and faster loading.

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The new DX27z and DX30z zero tail swing hydraulic excavators, launched by Doosan at Samoter earlier this year, offer additional value to the operator, according to the company, writes Becca Wilkins. "These new models were developed with the concept of providing optimum value to the end user," a spokesman for Doosan says. Reliability has also been improved using high performance materials combined with new methods of structural stress analysis, which has led to increased component life expectancy and reduced running costs and maintenance.

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The less than 2.7 t 28Z3 zero tail mini excavator from Wacker Neuson has compact dimensions and unequalled agility, according to a company spokesman. The optional slim additional rear weight of 115 kg has been designed specifically for zero tails, which increases stability by another 15% at a tail projection of only 50 mm. The 28Z3 has two driving speeds, hydraulically balanced pedals, and uses an X-shaped chassis frame of high-strength steel.

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Barford has increased the skip size on its largest site dumper. The 10 t SK10 - first launched in February 2005 - now delivers a heaped payload of 5546 litres compared to 4283 litres on the old model and a struck capacity of 4635 litres, up from 3811 litres. Barford claims the capacity is 20% bigger than any other dumper. The SK10 PLUS has the same design and 94 kW Iveco engine as its predecessor, and also weighs almost the same by virtue of a redesign of the structural steel in the skip. Meanwhile, the company has started production of the Big-Trax-10, the 10 t capacity dumper mounted on four independent rubber tracks and seen previously only in prototype form.

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Caterpillar has introduced three D-Series mini excavators including the 307D, which replaces the 307C, the 308D CR, a compact radius machine which replaces the 308C CR and new to the range - the 308D CR SB.