Vermeer holds Netherlands event to launch compact products

Vermeer held a customer and dealer event at its European headquarters in the Netherlands in late June to introduce several new products, including two of relevance to the rental sector: the BC160 XL brush chipper and the very compact D9x13 directional drill.

Around 200 Vermeer customers, distributors and factory staff attended the event in Goes, the Netherlands, receiving demonstrations of the new machines.

The BC 160XL is the latest ‘European' style chipper from Vermeer. The unit weighs under 750 kg (with a full fuel tank), has compact dimensions - it folds down to a height of 1.93 m for transport and storage and has a working height of 2.4 m - and is mounted on a 360 degree rotating turntable with six locking positions.

The in-feed chute is 1.04 m wide and 0.67 m high and Vermeer says the chipper will take branches up to 16 cm in diameter. Power is provided by19.3 kW diesel Kohler engine, which is rubber isolated, and the engine has a shielded exhaust to reduce sound and heat emissions and an oversized engine sump for increased oil capacity.

Meanwhile, the new D9x13 Series II Navigator horizontal directional drill (HDD) is designed for confined sites and areas where grass protection is important, such as residential and commercial lawns. Vermeer said the unit will be especially useful for underground cable and other utility installations.

The D9x13, which can accommodate 91.4 m of drill rod, is just 0.9 m wide, "making it the narrowest machine in its class", said Vermeer. The rod side track can be extended an additional 16.5 cm to 108 cm outwards, adding width to increase side-hill stability.