VIDEO: Takeuchi shows prototype 16 tonne wheeled excavator

Takeuchi said its all electric mini-excavator model - seen in prototype at Intermat in 2006 - is now likely to be launched in 2010.

In the meantime, the company continues to market its bi-energy minis, using both a diesel engine and mains powered electric motor. The bi-energy models - comprising the TB 016 SH, the TB 125 H and the TB 135 H - are around double the price of standard excavators, but allow contractors to use them inside buildings for applications such as demolition instead of specialist equipment such as demolition robots.

Meanwhile, the company showed at Intermat a prototype of a 15 to 16 tonne wheeled excavator, the TB1160W, the largest wheeled model ever produced by the company. A spokesperson for Takeuchi said it would be the largest model in the range, with the aim being to remain a compact equipment specialist.

Takeuchi launched another wheeled model, the 8 tonne TB175W, in November last year.

Also on the stand at Intermat were samples of the new 2-series tracked loaders and mini-excavators using new Stage III engines, plus a 2 tonne mini-excavator, the TB219, developed specifically for the French market. The TB219 is heavier than the TB016 and an updated version of the TB020 model that Takeuchi first started selling in France 15 years ago.