Today's excavators are sleek, powerful marvels of engineering, ready to tackle any terrain with newfound agility and smarts. Imagine burrowing deep into the earth with 18% more horsepower fueling your every dig, then swiveling effortlessly thanks to a revolutionary tail-swing design that conquers cramped spaces. Picture a high-tech cockpit where a multifunction touchscreen puts a world of control at your fingertips, and a panoramic camera system keeps you in the know. These are just glimpses at the features of these modern machines. Take a look at some excavator options below.
John Deere 85 P-Tier
The 85 P-Tier excavator from John Deere boasts an 18% engine horsepower increase over the 85 G-Tier model, and the addition of a turbo for high-altitude performance. Hydraulic performance improvements include increased pump torque and improved dig forces. The larger, redesigned cab is equipped with an eight-inch monitor with Bluetooth and a 270-degree camera system integrated into the main monitor. Improved service access and optional features, such as angle blade with float and continuous flow auxiliary hydraulics, round out the updates that improve the performance and versatility. 800-503-3373; www.johndeere.com
Takeuchi TB350R Series 3
The TB350R Series 3 compact excavator from Takeuchi features a short tail-swing design that makes it ideal for working in tight or confined spaces. Inside the cab a 7-inch, multifunction color monitor with touchscreen places a wide range of functions at the operator’s fingertips. A dedicated coupler circuit on cab models allows for the quick and easy exchange of various hydraulically driven attachments. A jog dial with one-touch controls lets operators easily control throttle position and multiple machine functions. It also offers greater working ranges, including a dig depth of 11 feet, 8 inches, maximum reach of 19 feet, 10.8 inches and maximum dump height of 12 feet 11.3 inches. Thanks to its high-flow primary auxiliary circuit, it is ideal for multiple applications, including excavating, demolition, land/vegetation management, general contracting, landscaping, rental and residential and commercial construction. 706-693-3600; www.takeuchi-us.com
Yanmar Compact Equipment ViO80-7
The 18,122-pound ViO80-7 mini excavator from Yanmar Compact Equipment offers 18% more power over its predecessor with its new 67 hp Yanmar Tier 4 Final diesel engine. It provides operators with increased attachment performance with 20% more PTO flow rate. It achieves a maximum dig depth of 14 feet, 3 inches, and includes signature zero tail-swing allowing the excavator to rotate next to a structure with less risk of hitting it. Improved engine output and hydraulics allow for more productivity and greater attachment performance. Those same improvements also allow for a 15% increase in work speed, 13% lower fuel consumption rate and 25% increase in travel speed on slope. A 2-Pump Load Sensing (2PLS) hydraulic system increases pump flow rate under high loads to direct power where it’s needed to improve performance. 800-205-9913; www.yanmarce.com
