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Cem Peksaglam highlighted a commitment to product development and innovation. Over 7% of the company’s employees work in Research & Development, and more than half of the group’s sales are generated by products less than five years old. Currently the company is understood to be actively evaluating hybrid machines and electric drive mini excavators.


New mini excavator trio


The latest compact


VDS straightens up the superstructure for safe operation on side slopes.


machines are the first of the new ET series of mini


excavators. Originally revealed at Intermat earlier this year, three models are now being produced at Horsching and the testing area was used during the opening celebrations for working demonstrations of the newcomers. With operating weights between 1.7 and 2.4 tonne, the ET18, ET20 and ET24 have respectively replaced the former 1703, 2003 and 2404 models. Improvements include a more powerful 13.2kW (17.9hp) Yanmar 3TNV76 engine, increased hydraulic power, enhanced cooling, a superior cabin, a better control layout, easier maintenance and other detail refinements.


To aid transportation and facilitate access to more restricted sites, the overall height to the top of the new cab has been reduced by as much as 90mm on the standard ET18, compared against the 1703. The ROPS/TOPS certified cab is still spacious and the entry width has been increased by 100mm. There is more foot space and new fold-up foot pedals on the travel levers, together with a flat floor for easier cleaning.


The front screen, which is slightly curved, is easier to roll up into the cab roof - complete, if required, with the flat glass lower screen. Other improvements include a better-located dozer blade control lever, an automatic slew brake and better instrumentation and switches (including electro-proportional flow controls for the auxiliary hydraulic circuits).


All three ET minis can be supplied with Wacker Neuson’s Vertical Digging System (VDS) tilting undercarriage to allow safer and more comfortable operation on side slopes. Although this has been available since 1988, it is now proving very popular, with 70% of the company’s 1.7 to 5.0 tonne minis currently being sold with it. VDS allows the superstructure of the machine to be angled at up to 15° in relation to


41


its undercarriage. This easy-to-use arrangement improves stability at full outreach by up to 20%, and eliminates excess material removal when digging vertical trenches on sloping ground.


VDS to be standard on UK machines


Richard Harrison, MD of UK subsidiary Wacker Neuson Ltd, is very enthusiastic about VDS. Indeed, he now intends to include this as standard on machines he brings into the UK. He says, “Users who try it ask for it again.” The VDS arrangement remains specific to Wacker Neuson minis, as it is not included on any of the machines that the company makes for Caterpillar.


Also seen in action was a new version of one of the tracked dumpers specially produced for Wacker Neuson through a strategic alliance with Messersi of Italy. The 450kg payload high tip DT08 Proline tracked dumper, with a 9.7kW (13hp) Kubota Z-482 engine, can now be supplied with an integral front scoop to facilitate rapid self-loading. The full width loading scoop is designed so that it angles out of the way when the dumper skip tips out its load at ground level or, when its scissor-style elevating mechanism is used, at height. This practical loading and carrying arrangement allows self-contained ‘mini muck shifting’ on small construction and landscaping jobs.


Another development being highlighted was the new Telematics system. This option, offered through a partnership with M-tec, will become available for all Wacker Neuson’s compact equipment, including its micro excavator. Able to be retro-fitted onto machines, including those of competitors, this satellite-based system remotely reveals machine position and operational status, as well as providing service alerts and warnings of unauthorised movement beyond a pre-set, or geo-fenced, area.


Interestingly, 15-20% of the wheeled site dumpers with payloads from 3 to 10 tonne produced at Horsching are now being supplied with purpose-built cabs. Given the wet weather so often encountered in this country, the ability to provide a dumper with a properly integrated safety cab


A self-loading scoop is an option on the DT08 Proline.


is something that Richard Harrison hopes will give Wacker Neuson another significant sales advantage in the UK.


• 01992 707200 www.wackerneuson.com


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