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Excavators SPECIAL ISSUE 2026

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FEATURE STORY NORTH AMERICA’S FIRST LIUGONG 995F GOES TO WORK IN NOVA SCOTIA

46 28

THE EVOLUTION OF EXCAVATOR MACHINE CONTROL

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

2026 SPEC GUIDE

Excavators SPECIAL ISSUE 2026

Excavators 2026 | Volume 2, Number 1

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS & SECTIONS

North America’s first LiuGong 995F goes to work in Nova Scotia

From the Editor

The evolution of excavator machine control

Feature Story

Electro-hydraulic controls are the new standard for heavy excavators

Technology

Incredible Excavators

Incredible custom excavator configurations

The Operator’s Office

Excavator cabs: explore the operator’s office

Attachments

Strategies to help you right-size your excavator

Safety

Bucket-integrated GPR reveals what lies beneath the job site

Spec Guide

130

Advertiser Index

Safety starts with smart design

2026 spec guide

EXCAVATORS 2026 | VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 1 EDITOR IN CHIEF

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER

Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 330 DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY

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Tina Anderson tanderson@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 222 DESIGN & PRODUCTION

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SENIOR WRITER

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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Engelbert J. Baum

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COVER PHOTO: LIEBHERR’S R 928 G8 EXCAVATOR.

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Heavy Equipment Guide serves the Canadian engineered construction industry including: roadbuilding and maintenance; highways, bridges, tunnels; grading and excavating; earthmoving; crushing; trucking and hauling; underground utilities; trenching; concrete paving; asphalt paving; demolition; aggregates production; fleet maintenance; and asset security and management. The magazine is distributed to key industry personnel involved in these sectors. Subscription Price: In Canada, CDN $91.00; Outside Canada, US$149. Heavy Equipment Guide is published eight times a year in January/ February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September, October, and November/December. Heavy Equipment Guide accepts no responsibility or liability for reported claims made by manufacturers and/or distributors for products or services; the views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Baum Publications Ltd. Copyright 2026, Baum Publications Ltd. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

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FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR DIG INTO THE WORLD OF EXCAVATORS

or a second time we dig deep into the world of excavators — the construction industry’s most popular machine. Excavators account for roughly half of worldwide construction equipment sales, according to a new report from Off-Highway Research, and demand continues to grow. That growth comes as excavators are evolving, and in this issue we examine how technology is changing excavators and how they’re operated. OEMs transitioning their excavator lines from pilot to electro-hydraulic (EH) controls is an accelerating trend that is driven by easier incorporation of advanced technologies into electrical control architecture compared to mechanical pilot set-ups. We cover this topic in two articles. In the first, we take a closer look at the evolution of excavator machine control and how two decades of innovation in 2D, 3D, and automatics have transformed today’s job sites. The second feature looks more closely at EH controls and how they differ from pilot controls, what that means for operators and fleet owners, and how electrical control architecture changes how excavators can be maintained and upgraded over their multi-year lifespans. Changing equipment to suit the needs of the job site is the focus of Heavy Equipment Guide contributor Mack Plovie’s feature on custom excavator configurations. Plovie has travelled the world to see how contractors and modification specialists solve job site problems with customized excavators that work in a variety of unusual environments. The focus on excavator power, technology, and capability sometimes leaves finer details behind, but a well-designed, ergonomic operating environment is vital to operator productivity and safety. Step into the operator’s office with our excavator

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

Excavators account for roughly half of worldwide construction equipment sales.

cabs gallery for an up-close look at what makes a great operating environment. Finally, our spec guide updated for 2026 covers nearly 400 excavators on the market in North America, from mini excavators to production-class machines. Thank you for reading Heavy Equipment Guide’s second Excavators special issue — we hope you enjoy this continuing comprehensive coverage of the industry’s most versatile, and most popular, machine.

Kaitlyn Till Editor In Chief ktill@baumpub.com heavyequipmentguide.ca

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FEATURE STORY

Nova Scotia–based Ocean Contractors took delivery of North America’s first LiuGong 995F excavator.

North America’s first LiuGong 995F goes to work in Nova Scotia OCEAN CONTRACTORS TOOK A CHANCE ON AN UNFAMILIAR EXCAVATOR FOR A PRODUCTIONCRITICAL ROLE BY MEGHAN BARTON, SENIOR WRITER

WHEN OCEAN CONTRACTORS NEEDED to replace a production excavator at their Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, quarry, the timing was less than ideal. Their 90-tonne-class excavator had already been running over 16,000 hours when an engine oil sample indicated an imminent problem, accelerating the need to find a replacement in a size class that is not typically available off the lot.

FEATURE STORY As it happened, representatives from Atlantic Equipment were sitting across the desk from Steve Wellwood, vice president of Ocean Contractors, when he received the news. “I said, ‘Do you have a 95-tonne excavator?’ James said, ‘Yes, we do.’ And I said, ‘Could you give me one?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I certainly can,’” Wellwood recalls. The excavator Atlantic Equipment owner James Bond had in mind was the LiuGong 995F. Ocean Contractors had never owned a LiuGong excavator, and the 995F had no established operating history in North America. Today, that machine is the first LiuGong 995F sold and operating in North America, and it occupies a critical position in the company’s quarry operation, loading blasted rock for delivery to the primary crusher.

When you’re putting that kind of machine into an operation that hinges on it being running and successful, you want to make sure that you’ve done your homework. James Bond Owner, Atlantic Equipment

HIGH-PRODUCTION QUARRY DEPENDS ON A BIG EXCAVATOR

Ocean Contractors has worked at the quarry site in Nova Scotia since 1974 and purchased the operation roughly two and a half years ago. The acquisition gave the roadbuilding and construction contractor ownership of a quarry it had operated from for decades, supplying aggregates for its own operations as well as outside customers. About 30 percent of the material produced at the quarry is consumed internally by Ocean Contractors’ operations, including its ready-mix concrete and asphalt production. The remaining 70 percent is sold to other customers.

The quarry processes approximately 8,000 tons of material per day, and the 995F works at the front end of that production process. Following blasting, the excavator loads rock into Cat 772 haul trucks for transport to the primary crusher. Previously, Ocean Contractors relied on a combination of its outgoing 90-tonne-class excavator and a production-class wheel loader to keep that process moving. Replacing the high-hour machine meant filling a key position in an operation where maintaining production depends on keeping material moving to the crusher.

OCEAN CONTRACTORS COMPARES NEW EXCAVATOR OPTIONS

Ocean Contractors’ relationship with LiuGong equipment had started on a much smaller scale. Atlantic Equipment had previously supplied them with a LiuGong 6612E roller and a CLG 2040H heavy-duty industrial pneumatic tire forklift, giving Ocean Contractors some experience with both the OEM and the dealer behind it. Introducing an unfamiliar 95-tonne excavator into a production-critical role was a considerably bigger investment. After that first conversation with Bond, Wellwood began comparing the 995F with alternatives from several established manufacturers, looking at fundamentals including operating weight, horsepower, and hydraulic pressure. “There’s nothing that jumps out really,” he says. “I was looking at four different machines, all different manufacturers, all in the same weight class, and they’re all very similar. The specs are all very similar.” The 995F lined up with what Ocean Contractors needed from the size class, while major components, including a Perkins engine and hydraulic components from Kawasaki and Bosch Rexroth, provided some familiarity behind a less familiar trade dress. Affordability was another consideration, and Atlantic Equipment’s offer to take the high-hour excavator on trade simplified the replacement by giving Ocean Contractors a way to move the old machine at what Wellwood considered a fair value. The business case for the 995F extended beyond the machine’s specifications and the terms of the deal. With Ocean Contractors considering an unfamiliar

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

excavator for a critical production application, the dealer behind it was another important part of the equation.

LOCAL SERVICE SUPPORT BACKS EXCAVATOR PURCHASE

Wellwood had known Bond for years before Atlantic Equipment became a LiuGong dealer, and that existing relationship gave Ocean Contractors a level of confidence that would have been difficult to establish through specifications alone. Atlantic Equipment is also located only minutes from the quarry, putting service support close by. Bennett Gaskin, territory sales manager, says the dealer considered its ability to support the 995F from the outset. “You can always sell machines, but if you can’t service [them], you’ll never sell another one,” he says. With the 995F headed for a production-critical role, Atlantic Equipment’s commitment had to extend well beyond the initial sale. “Are we going to be able to service this? Are we going to be able to look after this machine to make sure it gets through its life cycle and it works the whole way and doesn’t have any downtime?” Gaskin says. Answering those questions required preparation before North America’s first 995F ever reached the quarry. Bond knew the contractor’s operation and the consequences if a machine in this role went down. “When you’re putting that kind of machine into an operation that hinges on it being running and successful, you want to make sure that you’ve done your homework,” Bond says. Atlantic Equipment leaned on LiuGong North America for additional technical support. LiuGong personnel assisted with assembly and training when the machine arrived in January 2025, and Atlantic Equipment’s Red Seal technicians received additional training specific to the 995F. The dealer worked with Ocean Contractors to determine which critical spare parts would be kept available. The contractor stocks routine maintenance items, such as filters, fluids, oils, and GET, while Atlantic Equipment expanded its local parts inventory and increased parts storage in Katy, Texas, specifically to support the 995F and minimize downtime. Atlantic Equipment remains Ocean Contractors’ primary point of contact.

Atlantic Equipment has supported Ocean Contractors through purchasing, delivery, and service of the LiuGong 995F.

The dealer performs the machine’s maintenance and has handled any service requirements that have arisen under warranty.

PROVING THE DECISION IN PRODUCTION

The real test, however, has taken place at the rock face. After roughly 3,000 operating hours, Wellwood estimates that the 995F had accumulated only about one day of downtime. This increased uptime has allowed Ocean Contractors to consolidate much of the truck loading work that was previously handled by the older excavator and wheel loader, freeing up the wheel loader for other work. “It filled that gap 90 percent of the time,” he says. “It saved us quite a bit.” Curtis Isenor, Ocean Contractors’ rockface excavator operator, appreciates to the 995F’s digging performance and responsiveness, describing the machine as having “lots of stick power” with fast bucket and swing functions.

Assembly of the LiuGong 995F.

Photos by Logan MacIsaac. Find him on Instagram: @loganmacisaacmedia. EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

FEATURE STORY

After roughly 3,000 operating hours, the 995F had accumulated only about one day of downtime.

The 995F’s performance also addresses one of the questions that came with choosing a less familiar machine: whether the contractor would give up anything in production. “Quite frankly, it really hasn’t missed a beat,” says Bond. For Wellwood, the result has reinforced the decision to look beyond the brands already established in his fleet. Ocean Contractors is not committed to one equipment manufacturer. Instead, the machine has to suit the application and be backed by a dealer capable of sup-

porting it throughout its working life. “To me, it’s a partnership,” he says. “If they can service us, and LiuGong makes decent equipment, and they’ve got the parts . . . we’ll continue to do business with them.” That support network is expanding. At the end of August 2026, LiuGong announced the establishment of a LiuGong Canada subsidiary, which Gaskin says will provide Atlantic Equipment and other Canadian dealers with greater access to parts inventory and will increase machine availability across the country.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

A REFERENCE POINT FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET

Putting the first 995F into service required that Atlantic Equipment and LiuGong prepare technicians, establish parts inventory, and bring in factory expertise to support the machine in a new market. It also established something neither had before: a North American operating record for the 995F. That experience now gives other Canadian contractors considering an excavator in this class something beyond specifications or examples from other

LIUGONG NORTH AMERICA

995F

he 95-tonne-class LiuGong 995F excavator combines substantial digging forces with electronically controlled hydraulics, reinforced structures, and features intended to improve fuel efficiency, serviceability, and operator comfort for high-production quarry, mining, and earthmoving applications. The 995F is powered by an 18.1-litre Perkins diesel engine that delivers 608 hp, and operators can select Economy, Standard, or Power modes, which adjust engine speed, hydraulic flow, and system pressure for different workloads. Automatic idle and shutdown functions also help reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. For excavation in hard or compacted material, the 995F combines a 5.6-cubic-metre rock bucket with a digging force of 471 kN, increasing to 496 kN with power boost. Responsive hydraulic controls help operators maintain consistent digging and truck-loading cycles, and a boom-floating function reduces hydraulic demand during certain operations, including breaking and grading. The 995F’s reinforced boom and arm structures are designed to withstand the demands of heavy-duty excavation. Forged supports and reinforced plates strengthen high-stress areas of the boom, with additional plates and ribs reinforcing the arm. Full-length track guides and a heavy-duty undercarriage provide support when working on uneven quarry surfaces. The heavy-duty rock bucket incorporates wear-resistant steel and reinforced ground-engaging components to withstand the abrasive conditions of quarry excavation.

markets to evaluate. They can now point to one with thousands of hours in a high-production Nova Scotia quarry. Being first was never Ocean Contractors’ objective. The company needed to replace a high-hour excavator with a machine capable of meeting an established production volume. The 995F happened to be available, its specifications fit the application, and the economics made sense. What made the unfamiliar choice viable was the support behind it. HEG

Inside the cab, LiuGong emphasizes operator comfort and visibility. The pressurized cab with Level II falling-object protection includes a heated air-suspension seat, climate control, and a touchscreen display for monitoring and adjusting machine functions. A rear-view camera provides additional visibility. To simplify routine maintenance, wide-opening engine covers, a surrounding catwalk, anti-slip steps, and centralized lubrication points improve access for inspections and servicing. Hydraulic fluid has a service interval of up to 5,000 hours, with hydraulic filter replacement scheduled at 1,000 hours. The cooling system uses a variable-speed reversible fan to help clear accumulated dust and debris from the cooling cores.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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EXCAVATORS

KOMATSU

PC365LC-11

omatsu’s unique hybrid PC365LC-11 Multifunction Plus excavator features an innovative electric swing system with “boom-up” power assist. The dedicated electric swing motor improves swing speeds and operational efficiency, reducing cycle times in multi-function applications up to 15 percent compared to similar conventional Komatsu machines. The ultracapacitor stores an additional 70 electric horsepower for acceleration when the engine is in ultra-low idle, giving operators instant power to the work equipment on demand. Komatsu says that fuel consumption is reduced by up to 20 percent, compared to its comparable conventional excavators, when ultra-low idle is used, and no external charging is needed. All electrical energy is generated during normal operation and is stored in the ultracapacitor. As hydraulic power isn’t needed for swing operations, this power is fully available for the boom, arm, and bucket cylinders. This optimization reduces digging cycle times and work equipment lag. The hybrid power system makes the machine significantly quieter in and out of the cab. Operators will further appreciate a new premium heated air-suspension seat, new proportional ergonomic joysticks, and the standard KomVision bird’s-eye-view camera system. Komatsu’s Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance kit can be factory-installed, giving operators in the field and managers in the office access to 3D design and topography data. Machines configured with an additional hydraulic piping line come with a standard tool control system, which allows operators to configure and store flow rates and target pressures for multiple attachments. Optional hydraulic quick coupler piping can be factory-installed.

All Orange, All In: How Anthony Légaré Built a KubotaOnly Empire in Mont-Tremblant

Some people build businesses; others build identities. For Anthony Légaré, those two things have always been the same, and for the past decade, Kubota has been building right alongside him. Drive past his yard on Route 117 in Mont-Tremblant and you’ll understand immediately. Rows of orange equipment, clean and polished, lined up with the kind of precision that says something about the person behind it all. “People actually think I’m a Kubota dealer because of how much orange equipment we have,” he says with a grin. But he’s something much more interesting than that: a 30-year-old entrepreneur running three businesses out of the Laurentians, and a Kubota customer whose loyalty runs so deep it started before he had anything to show for it.

WHEN A SETBACK BECOMES THE BUSINESS PLAN Around 2020, Anthony was building his house and had rented an excavator to handle the groundwork. When he needed just one extra day to finish the job, the rental centre said no, so he picked up the phone and called his Kubota rep in Mirabel. He bought a KX040, finished the job and then found himself with a machine sitting in his yard and nowhere to put it. So, he rented it out. When the calls kept coming, he eventually bought the rental centre that had turned him away, sold off all their old equipment, and replaced everything with Kubota. “There are other brands that are less expensive,” he acknowledges. “But I didn’t want to mess with that. It’s about the service behind the equipment, and honestly, it just works.”

The numbers tell their own story. Two and a half years ago, Location Légaré had three excavators available for rent. Today, there are 14. The snow THE BRAND THAT BELIEVED IN HIM FIRST removal division has grown from 15 clients to 1,200 Anthony was 18 when he launched his first business, in four years. a lawn care company built on ambition and not much else. He knew what equipment he wanted, and he went to a dealer in Sainte-Agathe to get it. They A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON TRUST turned him away. What started as a chance encounter with Samuel at the Mirabel dealership has become one of Anthony’s His local Kubota dealer in Mirabel came to his house most important business relationships. and sold him a tractor at the kitchen table. “Kubota trusted me when I had nothing. They believed in “It’s not just about buying machinery,” he says. me before I even believed in myself.” “There’s trust behind it. There’s service behind it. It’s a partnership. Kubota wants my business to He started with a Kubota ZD1011 and didn’t look back. succeed as much as I do.” Lawn care grew into snow removal, and the fleet expanded one orange machine at a time. When Anthony looks at the vision board in his office, he sees nothing but orange. Not because it’s the only colour he knows, but because it’s the one that’s always shown up when it mattered.

REAL PEOPLE REAL WORK REAL

The World’s #1 Selling Compact Excavator For 20 Years.*

From Ultra Compact to Mid Size, Kubota’s Excavator Lineup backs up two decades of proven performance with reliable digging power, wide-ranging lift and reach, and simple, comfortable operation. Add in a full range of buckets and attachments, and you’ve got the productivity to handle any job site, big or small. *According to 2023 data from Off-Highway Research including all Kubota Group brand sales.

EXCAVATORS

LIEBHERR

R 952 G8

ersatility defines the 50-tonne-class R 952 G8, which Liebherr has designed with reinforced structures made from high-strength steels and steel castings to ensure durability in diverse conditions and under continuous use, including in heavy earthmoving and quarry applications. Three undercarriage options are available along with a variety of boom, stick, and backhoe bucket configurations. Liebherr’s Positive Control hydraulic control system gives operators fast, smooth, and coordinated movements. Assistance systems include Liebherr Power Efficiency, which helps to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 percent; Bucket Fill Assist, which automates the process of filling the bucket; and the Modetronic function, which adjusts the machine parameters to the application to ensure optimum performance. A Leica 2D grade control system is integrated into the R 952 G8 as standard, a 3D control solution is available, and semi-automated functions can be added. A built-in dynamic weighing system is included with 500 hours of use. The layout of Liebherr’s latest-generation emCAB operator’s cab with its INTUSI human-machine interface is optimized to ensure operators can easily see and reach the controls quickly, helping reduce fatigue. Ultra-precise electronic joysticks ensure smooth work movements.

TECHNOLOGY

THE EVOLUTION OF

EXCAVATOR

machine control HOW TWO DECADES OF INNOVATION IN 2D, 3D & AUTOMATICS HAVE TRANSFORMED TODAY’S JOB SITES BY KAITLYN TILL, EDITOR IN CHIEF

Machine control systems provide reliable accuracy, upskill operators, and save time on job sites.

TECHNOLOGY

achine control has been quietly transforming the construction industry for a couple of decades, but 2D, 3D, and automatics for excavators have only achieved large-scale buy-in in recent years. At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, every excavator OEM was discussing machine control, and the prevailing message was that contractors now expect technology solutions to be available and easy to integrate into their operations. This is a seismic transition for an industry that is slow to change. So how did we get here? I explore that question with Volvo Construction Equipment’s Matthew McLean, a machine control specialist who has served as an educator both within Volvo and to operators. McLean has been a part of the construction industry’s technology transformation, both in his current role and as a motor grader specialist in the early 2000s. This breadth of experience, from early aftermarket indicate solutions to today’s advanced automatics, makes him the ideal candidate to help break down the evolution of machine control for excavators. Let’s look at the technology’s development, how contractors came to trust it, and its impact on the construction industry.

It has only been the last two years that the customers have really come on board and said, ‘Yeah, this makes sense. Let’s start using it.’ Matthew McLean Product Manager Assist Systems, Volvo Construction Equipment

THE FOUNDATION OF EXCAVATOR MACHINE CONTROL

While machine control for excavators has only become widely used over the past decade or so, the foundation of modern elevation control technology dates back over 60 years to the invention of the 360-degree rotating laser. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, these rotating lasers paired with sonic sensors could provide elevation control for motor graders and pavers. In the 1990s, advances in total stations and GNSS accelerated the development of 2D and 3D final pass precision grading solutions for dozers and motor graders, and today’s “big three,” Trimble, Topcon, and Leica, all offered aftermarket machine control solutions. Precision grade technology is much harder to apply to an excavator, McLean explains. The complexity of joints involved in positioning the bucket, including movements of the boom joint, boom cylinder, arm joint, arm cylinder, and bucket cylinder, all have to be accounted for. This complexity limited machine control options for excavators until the 2010s.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

GRADE INDICATE SOLUTIONS FOR EXCAVATORS

There are two basic types of indicate solutions for excavators, and the first systems were all aftermarket add-ons, says McLean. One method was to pair a laser sensor mounted on the arm of the excavator with a rotating laser and a grade stake. The excavator-mounted sensor would catch the laser as it rotated, then, depending on where the laser caught the joint, the system would indicate whether the operator was too high or low in relation to their programmed depth requirement. “The nice thing about lasers,” says McLean, “is they had a very loud speaker on them. If you were high above grade, the laser would beep every couple of seconds. As you got closer, the beeping would speed up until it was a solid tone at grade. Some manufacturers did the opposite — a lot of tone when you’re far away and quieter when you get close.” This method wasn’t the most efficient. After digging, the operator, or a labourer, would have to walk around the site with a laser sensor on a two-metre stick to check whether the excavation was on grade. Each area that wasn’t on grade had to be marked with spray paint: one mark for under-dug areas and another for over-dug areas. The operator would then get back to work, either backfilling or digging down as needed, until a consistent grade was achieved. Rework is what machine control is designed to avoid, and contractors are only paid for digging, not for walking around with a grade stake or fixing work that isn’t on target, says McLean. The second method, 2D visual guidance via tablet in the cab, is more efficient and the basis for today’s 2D systems. It tells the operator where to dig on a flat plane, relying on sensors that measure the angles of the boom, arm, and bucket to the edge of the tooth. Before digging, the operator sets the bucket down to create an elevation benchmark of zero and inputs the depth they want to dig. As they dig, the tablet displays the depth of the bucket relative to the benchmark. This real-time visualization of the bucket depth includes both measurements and colour coding. As the operator progresses, the colour changes to indicate whether they need to dig deeper, are on grade, or have gone too far. The colour scale will vary, depending on the system provider, says McLean, but the principle is generally the same. Initially, both of these guidance methods were only available as third-party additions, but by the mid 2010s, a few OEMs, including Volvo, were introducing proprietary machine control solutions. Volvo introduced its 2D visual guidance system, Dig Assist, at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 along with In-Field Design software and Co-Pilot, the Volvo-developed, Android-based tablet that serves as the in-cab command centre for software on Volvo machines. Dig Assist 2D relies on robust IMU (internal measurement unit) sensors on the boom and stick and GNSS antennas on the back of the excavator to detect machine rotation. It does not require a base station. With Dig Assist, the operator can produce compound slopes. It also simplifies trenching, explains McLean. When the operator wants to dig a trench, they can touch two points with the bucket, and the system extrapolates a straight line on the Volvo Co-Pilot screen. The operator just needs to follow the line to dig their straight trench. The screen will let them know if they start digging to the left or right of that straight line.

When the operator wants to dig a trench, they can touch two points with the bucket, and the system extrapolates a straight line on the Volvo Co-Pilot screen.

Volvo later introduced a simpler version of Dig Assist without the GNSS antennas, Dig Assist Start, which comes standard on new Volvo excavators and can be used to produce simple flat surfaces or slopes. Adding a base station or GNSS receiver allows the operator to use Volvo’s In-Field Design to draw complex shapes and slope profiles in the cab on the Volvo Co-Pilot tablet. With this set-up, the excavator can move around the job site, the system knows where the excavator is relative to the design, and the operator can dig to plan. Select third-party 3D solutions for more complex profiles, such as roadwork that requires curbs, gutters, and utilities, were compatible with Volvo Co-Pilot by 2020, says McLean. With 3D, an engineer draws the plan in the office, producing a CAD file that can be loaded onto the tablet. Initially, USB sticks were used to load plans onto equipment. Today, plans can be transmitted via the cloud to connected machines. By the mid-2010s, indicate systems for excavators were fairly established, says McLean, but while they can guide operators toward accuracy, indicate doesn’t stop them from making mistakes — that requires automatics.

FROM INDICATE TO AUTOMATICS

With an indicate system installed, the operator can still overdig. Once automatics are added, the operator makes far fewer movements to dig to plan, and the automatics will prevent over-digging and the need for rework. Without automatics, digging a flat plane requires that the operator balance the arm-in function against boom up/down functions and the correct bucket angle. An automatics system eliminates the need for delicate control to hit grade, explains McLean. Once the operator gets within a few centimetres of grade, the automatics kick in, and the operator just pulls back on the arm joystick — the computer will do the rest. On the excavator, four IMUs — on the bucket’s dog bone link, the arm, the boom, and the frame — tie into the machine’s computer via controller area network (CAN) bus vehicle communication protocol. An algorithm calculates the position of the edge of the bucket’s reference tooth based on the angles of the dog bone, the stick, the boom, and the frame. That information, when tied into the controls, allows the computer to automatically stop boom down movement when the reference tooth gets to grade.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TECHNOLOGY

Active Control is Volvo’s proprietary automatics solution that builds on Dig Assist, and its introduction hinged on Volvo’s switch from pilot controls to electro-hydraulic controls on select E-Series excavators in 2019.

Early automatics just controlled the boom cylinder, says McLean, but the operator could still control the bucket and breach the intended grade. It wasn’t perfect, but the system would prevent significant over-digging. As the technology improved, the computer could control the bucket cylinder as well. Applying automatics to tiltrotators and tilt buckets was more complicated. At first, autos would only work for the tilt function when digging straight and pulling at grade to produce a flat plane, says McLean. Today, automatics are fully compatible with tiltrotators and can be used for compound angles and curves. Active Control is Volvo’s proprietary automatics solution that builds on Dig Assist, and its introduction hinged on Volvo’s switch from pilot controls to electro-hydraulic (EH) controls on select E-Series excavators in 2019. For excavators with mechanical pilot controls, installing automatics is much more complicated. The six hoses that run into each joystick need to be reconfigured with a valve and solenoids to translate electrical signals from the computer into mechanical action on the machine. This integration is a time-consuming, complicated process. “People who had been using those aftermarket systems were glad to try Active Control because typically electro-hydraulic systems were a lot smoother and faster,” says McLean. “If they had previously been using one of those aftermarket systems that intercepted all the hoses, they were game.” By the late 2010s, multiple aftermarket automatics solutions were available, and Komatsu, Caterpillar, and Volvo had all rolled out their own automatics. Komatsu’s in-house machine control platform with automatics, Intelligent Machine Control (IMC), was a notable forerunner in 2014. Caterpillar introduced Cat Grade with ASSIST in 2015, and Volvo launched Active Control in 2019.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

Today, OEM partnerships with varying combinations of the big three solutions providers, and some smaller players, ensure that 2D and 3D machine control with automatics can be installed on most excavators, either in the factory or as an aftermarket upgrade, and some OEMs offer 2D as standard on new machines. A growing number of OEMs, including Volvo, are fully switching from pilot to EH controls across their new excavator lines to simplify technology integration.

THE EARLY ADOPTERS

Construction is a conservative industry that is notoriously slow to embrace the latest technologies, especially when a premium price tag comes attached, so it’s not surprising that it has taken awhile for machine control to catch on. As with any technology, the first to jump in were the true believers, says McLean, and there were growing pains, both on the end-user side and on the OEM sales side, as everyone tried to understand the significance and the value proposition of machine control. McLean recalls first teaching colleagues how to use Dig Assist to dig to a line, which requires that the operator touch two points with the bucket to project the trench’s path on Volvo Co-Pilot. An operator touched the bucket to a point in front of the machine, then swung the excavator around to touch another point behind him. When he looked at the line on the screen, it was slanted. “That actually threw me,” says McLean. “In my first training, it’s like, ‘What’s going on? I thought this was going to be a perfectly straight line.’ Then I recognized the fact that on an excavator, the boom is not perfectly centred.” Facing one direction, the boom was on one side of the machine, but rotating to face the other direction meant that

the boom was on the other side, so of course it would produce a line diagonal to the intended direction. Volvo worked with customers to address some of these early complications. Calibration was also more complex on first-generation products, but, McLean says, by 2018 Volvo had made adjustments to the calibration process at the factory, so dealers weren’t having to make those adjustments with the customer. It was vital that the system become self-calibrating so the operator could trust the information they were receiving as soon as the bucket touched the ground. Contractors also needed demonstrations to convince them that machine control was accurate. McLean would position a hardware store laser on the frame, line up the bucket’s reference tooth with the laser, and benchmark the position at zero. Then he would move the bucket out in five stages: close, short, medium, medium-long, and all the way out. The tooth touched the laser beam, whether the bucket was all the way in or all the way out, maintaining accuracy within two centimetres, and usually under one centimetre. The price tag was another barrier. Early machine control systems cost about $50,000, just for the positioning technology. If the machine costs $250,000, that’s a 20 percent premium just to know where you’re digging, says McLean. The return on that investment would have to be clear before contractors would commit to the purchase. It first made the most sense for big projects, and McLean cites excavation for factory construction as an example. Large bonuses for on-time completion — and penalties for being late — are at stake on these job sites. The precision technology could ensure that the

If the customer wants something, there’s no reason why they can’t have it put on the machine within 24 hours, even if it includes hardware, because the hardware kits aren’t that hard to install anymore. Matthew McLean work was done correctly, and faster, clearly justifying the high financial outlay compared to small-scale work without such bonuses up for grabs. The value proposition for smaller-scale work, such as digging basements, has since evolved, and machine control now makes sense for those applications, too. Eliminating the time that it takes to lay out stringline and stakes by drawing touchpoints on a screen using In-Field Design delivers significant savings over time, says McLean, adding “Even companies with just one to two machines can make their machine control investment back in months.”

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EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TECHNOLOGY

There remains a misconception that machine control is hard to install and learn. That may have been the case with legacy systems, but it doesn’t bear out in the field today.

SUCCESS BREEDS MORE SUCCESS

Today, over half of Volvo excavators have some form of machine control installed, says McLean, compared to 2018 when total sales were under 50 machines. “I don’t think people were ready for it,” he says. “It has only been the last two years that the customers have really come on board and said, ‘Yeah, this makes sense. Let’s start using it.’” There remains a misconception that machine control is hard to install and learn. That may have been the case with legacy systems, but it doesn’t bear out in the field today, and growth has become organic. “The early adopters tried it, and then realized ‘I’m saving 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent time on my jobs — and I’m completing my jobs quicker,’” says McLean. When people talk about success, it breeds more success, and contractors have realized that if they want to stay competitive, they have to get in the game. Integration of machine control architecture at the factory helps. Wires are now pre-run, and some sensors are included on the machine. According to McLean, upgrading a Volvo machine after purchase is now as simple as adding a receiver to the battery box to take the excavator from 2D to 3D, buying an antenna kit, and purchasing the software license. Excavator owners can also call a dealer and ask that other features, such as a weighing system, be remotely activated without taking the equipment off the job site. “If the customer wants something, there’s no reason why they can’t have it put on the machine within 24 hours, even if it includes hardware, because the hardware kits aren’t that hard to install anymore,” says McLean, comparing the process to buying a new laptop. The hardware and software are ready to go. Once you want to use Word, you add a Microsoft licence. McLean continues to demonstrate machine control at

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

industry events, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG, and finds that contractors are quick to recognize the solutions that best suit their line of work. For a smaller business, that could be the efficiency of In-Field Design for digging pools and basements. For larger contractors, 3D with automatics that can help compensate for a dwindling skilled labour pool.

THE BIG PICTURE

On any individual job site, machine control can provide reliable accuracy, upskill an operator, and save time. McLean offers an additional perspective on why machine control is so revolutionary. Consider the size of the construction industry and the amount of money that is spent. Now consider what a productivity improvement of 5, 10, or even 30 percent represents. That’s an enormous amount of money — it justifies the cost of the technology and accounts for its growth. “Early in my career, starting in the 1990s, my initial work was transitioning people from the old lever controls over to pilot hydraulics on different kinds of machines. I was getting them to use the hydraulics and experience the benefits of smoother operating, faster operating, and more precision,” says McLean. “Now we’ve converted from pilot over to electro-hydraulic. And, by virtue of that, you can tie in all these technologies that tell you where to dig, help you dig, and tell you how much you’ve lifted and how much you’ve loaded. It’s just improving the speed at which work can be done.” As the labour market becomes more constricted, machine control won’t be optional, remote operation solutions will expand, and development of full autonomy will continue. “The more work that can be done with less effort, and the least number of people, is where the industry is headed,” McLean concludes. “I’m eager to see what’s going to happen.” HEG

STRETCH THE LIMITS OF TECHNOLOGY Set site boundaries with IMC 3.0’s 3D Boundary Control. The all-new Komatsu PC220LCi-12 excavator keeps production moving without second-guessing your surroundings. With fully integrated 3D Boundary Control, Komatu’s IMC 3.0 technology ties boundary limits to the job site, helping prevent contact with obstacles without the need for constant boundary resets. That means fewer stoppages, greater operator confidence, and the ability to stay productive across even the most complex job sites.

THE ALL-NEW EXCAVATOR LINE

EXCAVATORS

CATERPILLAR

305 CR

at now offers its ease-of-use (EOU) E-Fence and Indicate features for software-enabled attachment versions of the 5-tonne 305 CR excavator. This compact radius machine joins Cat’s 6- to 10-tonne-class mini excavator models in offering this technology. Cab and premium canopy models are EOUready from the factory, or the 305 CR can be ordered with the EOU features already installed. E-Fence automatically constrains machine motion to boundaries pre-set by the operator, giving them confidence when working under overhead structures, above underground infrastructure, or close to obstacles, such as live traffic and walkways. Indicate, the entry-level grade system now available for the 305 CR, gives the operator visual and audible indications of the bucket position relative to target grade to ensure they hit the correct grade and avoid rework from over-digging. Target depth and slope is selected from the in-cab guidance system, and the monitor provides real-time feedback. A Laser Catcher option for Indicate is also available. Working with a laser transmitter, Laser Catcher is suited to large job sites that require the excavator to regularly reposition.

TECHNOLOGY

A NEW REALM OF

PRECISION

DEVELON’s new -9 Series excavators are outfitted with EH controls.

ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC CONTROLS ARE THE NEW STANDARD FOR HEAVY EXCAVATORS BY RYAN JOHNSON

TECHNOLOGY

EH control systems act as a powerful equalizer by smoothing out sudden excavator joystick movements and offering automated assistance.

or decades, the unmistakable hum and physical resistance of hydraulic oil circulation directly beneath an excavator operator’s hands was the defining hallmark of machine performance. Today, that physical connection is rapidly fading. The heavy construction equipment industry is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. OEMs are replacing traditional mechanical pilot control systems in excavators in favour of full electric-over-hydraulic, or electro-hydraulic (EH), controls for enhanced performance and versatility. There’s more to the transition than operator preferences or engineering simplification. It represents an entirely new way of managing machine dynamics, protecting thin profit margins and mitigating labour shortages on today’s construction job sites. The latest generations of crawler excavators entering the market are launching with EH controls as the standard set-up. “At the end of the day, both pilot controls and EH controls direct the excavator’s hydraulics,” says Brian Kim, excavator product manager at DEVELON. “But with an EH system, you trade old-school mechanical simplicity for an entirely new realm of customizability, precision, and seamless technology integration.”

PILOT VS. EH CONTROLS

To better understand the scale of this industry trend, it helps to break down how these two excavator control designs handle everyday tasks like trenching and lifting material. Kim explains that traditional pilot controls rely entirely on physical fluid dynamics to execute an operator’s commands. Inside a standard pilot-controlled excavator control, a dedicated, low-pressure pilot pump continuously forces hydraulic oil up into the cab and directly through the joystick housings.

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“When an excavator operator moves a lever to swing the machine’s house or lift the boom, they are physically shifting a mechanical spool to route that low-pressure oil back down to the main control valve,” he says. While mechanical pilot controls have traditionally been highly dependable, the configuration requires a complex web of hydraulic hoses routed directly inside the operator’s cabin, adding physical complexity and potential leak points to the machine’s layout. The modern EH controls in many new excavators entirely eliminate the low-pressure pilot pump and the network of oil lines running into the operator’s cabin. Kim explains that mechanical joysticks are replaced with digital transducers that turn physical motion into data. Several key differences between mechanical pilot controls and EH controls are as follows: • Pilot systems use low-pressure hydraulic oil as their primary signal medium. EH platforms rely entirely on digital electrical currents. • Mechanical set-ups require physical oil lines routed directly under the joysticks, whereas EH controls utilize a clean electronic wiring harness. • A centralized controller sends precise electrical current to electro-hydraulic valves instead of fluid pressure that must physically shift valve spools to a digital framework. “EH controls replace those hydraulic pilot signals with electronic inputs,” says Kim. “Instead of using oil to physically actuate the main control valve, the joystick sends an instantaneous electrical signal to a centralized controller. That controller then commands the electro-hydraulic valves to perform the desired function.”

The modern EH controls in many new excavators entirely eliminate the lowpressure pilot pump and the network of oil lines running into the operator’s cabin.

EH CONTROLS UNLOCK NEXT-GEN CAPABILITIES AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES

A primary driver behind the industry-wide migration to EH controls is the effortless integration of advanced, software-driven job site technologies. Excavators built with EH controls already use software to communicate with the main hydraulic pumps and valves. “Software developers can integrate intelligent features natively without turning a single wrench or physically tweaking hardware components,” says Kim. This digital foundation for EH controls has unlocked a suite of advanced capabilities that are fast becoming standard project requirements: Semi-automated grade control: EH controls allow factory 2D and aftermarket 3D excavator guidance systems to step in and actively control hydraulic flow parameters. When finishing a slope or digging a precise trench, the software automatically adjusts the excavator’s boom and bucket positioning to keep the edge perfectly on grade, regardless of operator adjustments. Virtual fencing: Safety parameters can be mapped directly into the excavator’s software. Operators can set strict digital ceilings, floors, or swing walls to prevent the excavator from physically encroaching on overhead power lines, active traffic lanes, or buried utilities. Intelligent lift assist and payload weighing: By monitoring electronic pressure sensors and geometry, modern control systems calculate live lifting capacities based on real-time chassis tilt, alerting operators before a load creates a tipping risk. It also tracks bucket payload weight on an in-cab screen to prevent overloading dump trucks.

With an EH system, you trade old-school mechanical simplicity for an entirely new realm of customizability, precision, and seamless technology integration. Brian Kim Excavator Product Manager, DEVELON

EH CONTROLS ELIMINATE JOYSTICK RELIABILITY WOES

For some contractors, this clean electronic set-up alleviates a long-standing headache: the unreliability of aftermarket components. Matt Quinnell, owner of Advanced Wall Structures, a Minnesota-based contractor specializing in intricate commercial boulder retaining walls, has run complex tiltrotator attachments on his crawler excavators since 2018. He recalls the constant maintenance required by legacy mechanical set-ups. “I previously used aftermarket joysticks and had a separate hydraulic stack set-up to run the auxiliary functions,” he says. EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TECHNOLOGY

From a long-term fleet management perspective, the industry’s widespread adoption of EH controls fundamentally alters how machines are maintained and upgraded over their multi-year lifespans.

“I had issues with my aftermarket joysticks where the microswitches would go bad after a certain number of hours, so I got pretty good at soldering in new microswitches. Now, it’s all just the factory equipment. If I do have an issue, it’s a lot easier to diagnose because I can just go into the computer and see the fault code.”

A POWERFUL EQUALIZER FOR BRIDGING THE SKILL GAP

The ongoing shortage of highly skilled heavy equipment operators is a constant challenge for construction business owners and project managers. EH control systems act as a powerful equalizer by smoothing out sudden excavator joystick movements and offering automated assistance. This levels out the performance curve between a novice and a seasoned worker. “The technologies that come with EH controls can help bridge that skill gap,” says Kim. “It minimizes the need for tedious manual adjustments — reducing cycle times and allowing a relatively new operator to nearly match the daily productivity of a highly seasoned veteran.” Quinnell has experienced this labour dynamic first-hand within his own business and has used advanced attachments and built-in machine guidance to combat workforce constraints. “That’s a big reason why we made those investments in technology,” he says. “We do jobs now with just one person in a machine where before it required two labourers on the ground. You can take someone who is less experienced, put them in the excavator with machine guidance, and they can still do the same job as someone who is far more experienced.”

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

EH INFRASTRUCTURE FUTUREPROOFS FLEETS FOR AN AUTOMATED TOMORROW

From a long-term fleet management perspective, the industry’s widespread adoption of EH controls fundamentally alters how machines are maintained and upgraded over their multiyear lifespans. In a traditional mechanical fleet, adjusting how an excavator handles or adding a new feature requires physical intervention: turning wrenches, swapping out internal valve springs, or installing complex hydraulic blocks. The EH infrastructure allows manufacturers to optimize excavator performance parameters and roll out entire new operating features seamlessly via software updates, completely bypassing the need for physical hardware changes. “Many leading manufacturers are now utilizing over-the-air wireless updates to push these optimizations directly into the excavators in the field, minimizing service calls and reducing unscheduled shop downtime,” says Kim. Most importantly, the shift to electro-hydraulic provides the mandatory framework for the next major frontier in earthmoving: autonomous operations. “While widespread job site autonomy is still an evolving trend, the industry’s swift migration to EH controls ensures that the machines rolling off assembly lines today are fully prepared for the digital demands of tomorrow,” says Kim. RYAN JOHNSON, APR, is a public relations and content strategy manager at Two Rivers Marketing in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sized right for tight spaces. Steel-built for heavy-duty work.

MINI EXCAVATORS (<6 TONS)

With groundbreaking power in a nimble package, Takeuchi Compact Excavators are proof positive that it’s not the size of the machine in the work, it’s the size of the work in the machine.

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EXCAVATORS

LINK-BELT EXCAVATORS

245 X4S

elivering 160 hp in a compact footprint, Link-Belt’s 245 X4S is built for urban infrastructure projects, roadwork, utility installation, and demolition. Optional advanced technology features include Digital Level, Height and Depth Alarms, and Link-Belt’s integrated Payload system. It comes from the factory Precision Grade– ready to reduce the time and labour required to install IMU sensors and Machine Guidance kits, allowing contractors to add automated control systems with minimal downtime. Link-Belt’s electronically controlled hydraulic pump system, paired with Spool Stroke Control, delivers smooth, responsive operation with improved controllability. The new Customizable Hydraulic Flow Balance allows operators to fine-tune flow distribution to their specific preferences and reduces arm drift when manoeuvring heavy attachments during a swing. The 245 X4S is powered by the Isuzu AR4HK1X Tier 4 Final engine, and four selectable operating modes, including Lifting, Eco, Power, and Speed Priority, allow operators to match machine performance to their work. Inside the cab, the 10-inch anti-glare LCD monitor can be customized to display critical information, and integration with Link-Belt’s WAVES camera system (Wide Angle Visual Enhancement System) provides 230 degrees of visibility around the machine.

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

incredible

excavators

CUSTOM EXCAVATOR CONFIGURATIONS IN THE DIRT, ON THE RAILS, ON THE WATER & IN THE WOODS ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY MACK PLOVIE

xcavators might be the ultimate base machine to modify — there is certainly no limit to the creativity that can be infused into customizing an excavator. While OEMs do offer custom configurations and options, contractors and modification specialists around the world are the best at tailoring machines to unique local applications. I’ve been fortunate to travel in Canada and to other countries to see some incredible customized excavators that work in the dirt, on the rails, on the water, and in the woods. Most designs start with a phone call from a contractor, a challenge that presents itself on a project, or an initiative to better serve a contractor and improve their bottom line with a tailored equipment solution. What fascinates me most about custom excavators is that they are the ultimate reflection of the builder — how they see a problem and the solution to that problem — translating their thoughts into steel, welds, and hydraulics. While some customizations may be repeated by other operations, each of these machines is unique in the way it was built to address the specific problem it was tasked with. Because, as we all know, no two job sites are exactly the same.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

CAT 395 EXCAVATORS WITH MUSKEG BUCKETS H

ow do you move a lot of material in a hurry? A bigger bucket usually does the trick. KPCL Dirt Movers’ (Kelly Panteluk Construction) two Cat 395s are a fine example of why bigger buckets can really make a difference on large earthmoving projects. KPCL was tasked with excavating 1.6 million cubic yards of fly ash at a coal-fired power generating station in southern Saskatchewan. Fly ash is the byproduct of burning lignite coal to generate electricity; it is captured and turned to a slurry for long-term storage in ash lagoons. The reality is, OEMs tend to be conservative when outfitting their excavators with standard buckets, but

In the dirt

contractors often encounter materials and conditions where a much larger bucket would be a better pass match for the haulage fleet and would increase production. For this project, KPCL outfitted the two mass excavation configuration Cat 395s with 10-cubic-yard muskeg buckets built by Weldco-Beales Manufacturing out of Edmonton, Alberta. Muskeg buckets were designed for northern Alberta’s muskeg (boggy peat), yet have found their way into other applications due to their wide applicability for earthmoving. A muskeg bucket is deeper than it is wide, allowing for higher capacity. A

spade nose lip increases ease of penetration. The larger bucket proved to be an ideal pass match for loading KPCL’s fleet of Cat 745 ADTs. When you think of configuring a mass excavation machine, 3D machine control might not come to mind, but both excavators are fitted with Trimble 3D. The technology is used to track excavated quantities; take point shots in the pit bottom, which surveyors can’t access due to water; and ensure the underlying clay liner is not excavated through. Once the project is complete, the machines will find their way onto KPCL’s other large earthworks projects in Saskatchewan.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

VOLVO EC300EL WITH ROCK DRILL

hile excavators are usually associated with digging, T & A Rock Works outfitted a Volvo EC300EL excavator with a Junttan Excadrill 51A rock drill for specialized drill and blast projects. Sourced from Finland, the Junttan Excadrill 51A is a unique attachment that turns a conventional excavator into a machine capable of drilling blast patterns in steep and challenging terrain found in urban quarries and residential development projects. This Volvo EC300EL began its life as a conventional excavator before its conversion at Junttan’s facility in Lacombe, Alberta, where the rock drill and an X-125 dust collector system were installed. The drill can reach depths of 29 metres with a 64- to 127-millimetre-diameter bit. The set-up requires 340 to 475 litres per minute of hydraulic flow to operate the drill, compressor, and dust collector system. This drill package also includes Junttan’s AutoDrill function and anti-jamming technology to improve drilling performance. In the cab, an indicator on the monitor shows the orientation of the drill mast, and the operator can drill vertical or angled holes to match the drilling plans. Compared to a dedicated rock drill, T & A Rock Works’ excavator-mounted drill can reach more holes without repositioning, is safer to operate on steep slopes, and requires less site preparation work for access to drilling locations. When I visited the machine it was completing drilling work on a private residential driveway project on the steep rocky slopes above Okanagan Lake in southern B.C. The machine successfully drilled blast patterns for cuts over 12 metres deep.

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

CAT 349E TELESTICK

n order to build up high, you have to dig deep, really deep. BelPacific Excavating & Shoring has been digging deep in Vancouver, B.C., since 1994 and has completed excavation and shoring work on some of downtown Vancouver’s most identifiable skyscrapers. Deep excavation work in this area is incredibly complex: adjacent active roadways, vertical excavation walls, inclement weather, groundwater, developer project schedules, and underground infrastructure all have to be contended with. So how do you excavate material from 100-plus feet deep in a bustling downtown core where space is limited? That’s where BelPacific’s custom-built Cat 349E Telestick excavator came in for the excavation of 1515 Alberni Street. To reach the necessary depth for this project, the conventional stick and bucket on BelPacific’s Cat 349E were replaced with a Cosben SRL TA-3550 three-stage telescoping stick and a 1.7-cubic-yard clamshell bucket. To accommodate the telestick, BelPacific worked with Van-Ed Equipment to modify the Cat 349E with an additional 4,500 pounds of counterweight, OEM hydraulic lock valves for the boom and telestick attachment, and a secondary auxiliary hydraulic tank for added capacity to operate the telestick. An internal hydraulic ram extended the telestick in three stages down into the hole where the clamshell bucket could scoop loosely piled dirt. In the cab, a 7-inch Brigade monitor provided a live feed of the bucket from a camera mounted on the telestick. The modified Cat machine removed material from more than 120 feet deep and loaded trucks and pups at street level to make way for the 42-storey 1515 Alberni Street residential tower. In the excavation pit, Cat 349 and 352 excavators were used to dig material and pile it in a central location for the telestick to pull to the surface. The modified Cat 349E averaged 215 cubic yards of dirt removal per day, and the excavation was completed in 15 months. In total, more than 60,000 cubic yards of dirt were removed to make way for eight levels of parkade, the elevator core, and other key building footings.

On the Rails CAT 325 HI-RAIL O

ne of the more surprising applications for excavators is on the railway, where they are extremely useful for maintenance of way work. Given how remote railways often are, and that road infrastructure often doesn’t parallel railroad infrastructure, getting machines to the specific area where track maintenance is required can be a challenge. That is, unless you put the excavator physically on the railway tracks. That’s exactly what Saskatoon, Saskatchewan– based contractor Acadia Group of Companies did with their Cat 325 Hi-Rail excavator. The factory-standard Cat 325 was converted by Vancer, a company that engineers and builds maintenance of way equipment for the railroad industry. The Cat 325 Hi-Rail is made rail-worthy by a pair of flanged wheel sets that lower down onto the tracks and raise up the excavator. A separate pedal in the cab controls the travel direction, forward or reverse, allowing the machine to travel up to 25 mph on the tracks. While you wouldn’t expect an

excavator to be seen shuttling train cars about, this machine can do that thanks to a built-in vehicle-mounted air compressor for release and controlling of train brakes and a knuckle for connecting to cars. The Cat 325 Hi-Rail is outfitted with a Rototilt R6 tiltrotator used for ditch work, grading ballast, and other excavation duties. Attachments include a Ballast Tools Equipment (BTE) undercutter bar for cutting out ballast beneath wooden ties, a tinbin dry hydro-vac system, a cold air blower for clearing switches in winter, and an AMI Attachments Graptor Bucket with integrated thumb. A benefit of the Vancer-modified machine is that every attachment needed for railway maintenance is installed on Vancer’s in-cab computer system, which makes it easy to switch between and use attachments. With its complete array of attachments, Acadia’s Cat 325 Hi-Rail excavator can be seen travelling across central Canada’s railway network doing maintenance of way work all year round. EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

CAT 323 & 330 AMPHIBIOUS EXCAVATORS

an excavators float? With the right modifications, they sure can. When it comes to modifying excavators, the Dutch are experts, and Van Tunen’s reputation is known around the world. When Van Tunen got the call for excavators capable of working in open water and shallow marsh, they started designing their first amphibious excavators. Van Tunen acquired Cat 323 and 330 excavators, removed the OEM undercarriages, and replaced them with custom-built pontoons and tracks. While conventional excavators rely on track pads for flotation on soft ground, amphibious excavators rely on airspace in pontoons for flotation on the water. Cleats allow the machine to travel, and the pontoons also have spuds mounted to the outside. These allow the excavators to anchor in place as required. Van Tunen also outfitted these machines with a long-reach front, enabling them to reach 14.5 metres. But why build machines capable of floating? Amphibious machines don’t require barges to work off of, nor do they require road infrastructure. They can transition from dry land to water easily and reach areas that other machines cannot. The two Van Tunen amphibious excavators were tasked with building artificial islands to provide habitat for birds and additional filtration of water draining from Europe. To do this, both machines were outfitted with Trimble 3D machine control and wrist buckets. Van Tunen also added 600-litre fuel tanks in the counterweights to increase the time between fuelling. There are few machines that can match the amphibious capabilities of these two.

ON THE WATER

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

CAT 6015 TRIPLE BOOM S

ince building their first triple-boom excavator on a Cat 375 in 1996, Van Tunen has been perfecting the recipe for success and today builds some of the world’s largest triple-boom excavators. A recent project is a Cat 6015 Triple Boom build for an underwater tunnel project in Antwerp, Belgium. From the factory, the Cat 6015 is a 150-ton

machine designed for mining and heavy civil construction projects. Van Tunen purchased the 6015 and removed the OEM boom, stick, and bucket, replacing them with a threepiece boom arrangement. They added four boom cylinders in place of the two OEM cylinders and outfitted the machine with two stick cylinders in place of the original one. Other

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

modifications included additional counterweight and wider and longer track frames. But why a triple boom? Compared to a long-reach excavator with a typical longer boom and stick, the three-piece boom allows for greater breakout force and higher lifting capacity at reach, and it can conduct precise work very close to or far from the machine.

After the modifications, the completed machine weighs 250 tons, reaches 35 metres horizontally and over 20 metres deep, and can lift 14 tons at full reach horizontally. The machine was also outfitted with Teledyne PDS marine construction machine control software that allows the operator to see the bucket position underwater relative to

KOBELCO SK850 HIGH BED

the engineered design in real time. During my visit, the machine was chained down to a barge working on the underwater tunnel project. After concrete tunnel elements were placed on the sea floor, Van Tunen’s triple-boom excavator went to work covering the tunnel elements with native material and rip rap to protect the submerged tunnel.

f there is one thing the UAE does, it’s build ambitious projects, such as the world’s tallest building. But what happens when you run out of land to build on? You build artificial islands. To do that, you need a lot of heavy equipment. Headquartered in Sharjah, UAE, is Al Marwan Machinery, one of the largest equipment rental companies in the region. Its fleet of over 3,500 machines includes long-reach and amphibious excavators made for marine construction projects. One machine, however, stands above them all — literally. This high bed excavator is a modified conventional KOBELCO SK850 that has been purpose-built for working in the water to help build artificial islands, jetties, ports, beaches, and other infrastructure. Al Marwan’s fabrication team custom-built this machine in their Sharjah yard. The house was separated from the undercarriage, and Al Mar-

wan installed a 5.5-metre-tall riser to raise the machine up, allowing it to sit above the water when working in depths up to 3.5 metres. The undercarriage was modified to provide a stable base and added flotation in soft underfoot conditions, measuring 7 metres wide and fitted with 1-metre-wide track pads. Unlike a conventional excavator, where the operator climbs into the cab from ground level, this machine requires the operator climb a vertical ladder to access the cab. The machine is fitted with a custom 22-metre long-reach front and is equipped with a 1.8-cubic-metre bucket. When in operation, the modified SK850 wades into the water similar to how you would at the beach when going for a swim, with the cab remaining above water level. In total, five high-bed excavators are being built and allocated by Al Marwan for a private marine construction project.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

INCREDIBLE EXCAVATORS

In the Woods

CAT 330 TILTER W

hat do you do when an OEM doesn’t offer the machine you need? You build it, and that’s exactly what Grand Forks, B.C.–based ANM Construction did. The company serves the forestry industry throughout B.C.’s southern interior, building roads, supporting logging efforts, and helping reclaim the land post-logging. This work takes them into the steep terrain of B.C.’s backcountry. Tasked with cleaning up slash (logging debris), ANM Construction needed a machine that could not only handle the steep slopes, but also climb them without winch assist. For slope work at grades of up to 65 percent, they settled on combining a high-and-wide Timberking TK732 feller buncher undercarriage with a next-gen Cat 330 excavator. The Timberking undercarriage features beefy final drives from a D7 Cat dozer and a thick 1-inch-steel-plate build. This robust undercarriage allows the machine to self-level at roughly 45 percent tilt, front and back and side

to side, when working on steep terrain. The levelling is controlled by a button on the joystick in the cab. The Cat 330 cab was replaced with a Waycon Manufacturing forestry cab that offers better visibility for this type of work. Penticton, B.C.–based Waycon also built a custom reinforced bucket with two teeth mounted on the heel to help sort timber debris and uproot stumps. The bucket is paired with a Waycon pro link thumb, which can maintain contact with the bucket lip through its entire range of motion, improving the machine’s ability to grab tree debris at full reach. ANM Construction calls this unique machine the 330 Tilter. When I visited, it was cleaning up leftover slash from logging near Christina Lake; this slash is piled and burned to reduce forest fuel load and return nutrients to the forest floor after burning is complete. MACK PLOVIE is the president and chief dirt enthusiast of Earthmovers Media.

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EXCAVATORS

HD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA

HX210L

he HX210L long-track excavator is part of Hyundai’s next-generation HX excavator lineup, which was introduced in early 2026. It has a rated operating weight of 54,900 pounds and maximum dig depth of 21 feet 9 inches. A standard 10,800-pound counterweight enhances stability and lifting capacity, and the HX210L’s reinforced upper structure, upgraded swing bearing, increased swing torque, and larger-capacity buckets boost productivity. The excavator is powered by a new 186-hp Hyundai DX05 engine. Hyundai notes that the HX210L’s pilot-controlled hydraulic system delivers a traditional feel and performance and makes this machine a budget-friendly choice for rental houses and larger fleets. Hyundai has upgraded the cab, which includes a wider heated/cooled seat and improved climate control. Optional comfort packages are available. Optional safety technologies are also available. A white noise alert uses a wideband frequency to warn people of machine activity on the job site. Hyundai says that the safety system’s sound quickly dissipates compared to other buzzers, reducing noise complaints. Smart Around View Monitoring automatically detects people passing or working around the machine during operation.

THE OPERATOR’S OFFICE

EXCAVATOR John Deere’s New Generation P-Tier excavator cab. 60 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

CABS

WELCOME TO THE OPERATOR’S OFFICE

hen an operator goes to work, the cab is their office. Thoughtful cab design that accounts for the operator’s longterm physical comfort and safety is paramount in an industry that is struggling to attract talent. Here is a close look at today’s excavator cabs, including seats, safety features, visibility, monitors, and controls — plus a few creature comforts.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

THE OPERATOR’S OFFICE

Operator Comfort ADJUSTABLE SEATS MOVE WITH THE OPERATOR

The standard Liebherr Comfort seat, shown right, features air suspension, automatic weight adjustment, seat heating, and independently adjustable armrests and joysticks. Oscillating arm consoles move with the seat to provide ergonomic operation throughout the workday. Below, controls to adjust the Liebherr Comfort seat. Bottom left, the adjustable right armrest on Liebherr’s R 938 G8 excavator. Bottom right, the fully adjustable suspension operator seat with integrated armrests, side joysticks, dual digital monitors, and foot controls in DEVELON’s DX400LC-9 excavator cab.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

AIR-RIDE SMOOTHS OUT THE BUMPS

Adjustable air ride seats, as shown right in the Cat 395 FS and Liebherr R 938 G8, absorb shocks and vibration on the job site, ensuring operators are comfortable and supported throughout long workdays.

ERGONOMIC COMFORT FOR LONG DAYS ON THE JOB SITE

Excavator cabs are designed to give operators the legroom and layout they need to comfortably work all day. Left, the complete cab layout of DEVELON’s DX260LC-9. Below left, Komatsu’s PC220LCi-12 cab gives operators 30 percent more legroom compared to the previous model. Below centre and right, Cat’s spacious 336 and 395 operator stations feature ergonomic layouts.

CUSTOMIZABLE TO EACH OPERATOR

Cabs of the New Generation John Deere excavators, shown right, give operators 27 inches of legroom and provide ten points of seat adjustment and tool-free armrest and joystick modifications.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

THE OPERATOR’S OFFICE

Monitors & Controls MONITORS ARE THE EXCAVATOR’S COMMAND CENTRE

The G5 Plus 12.8-inch display in New Generation John Deere excavators, shown right, is an intuitive touchscreen for monitoring machine health, managing attachments, and viewing camera feeds. Below, Komatsu’s PC220LCi-12 features a dedicated 10-inch Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) touchscreen monitor with an advanced payload meter system. Bottom left, the stacked dual-screen digital display system shows camera feeds and machine metrics in the DEVELON DX230LC-9. Bottom right, high-resolution monitors provide access to machine information and camera views in the Cat 330.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

FOOT CONTROLS

Shown right, large foot pedals provide smooth, precise control for confident manoeuvring of Cat’s 340 excavator. Below, foot controls and hand levers in DEVELON’s DX400LC-9 excavator cab.

JOYSTICKS

The control console inside a DEVELON -9 Series excavator cab, shown above, includes an ergonomic joystick, push-button engine start/stop, rotary dial controller, and integrated switch panel. Right, precision joystick controls in the Cat 326. Below, Liebherr excavator controls. Bottom, John Deere excavator controls.

RIGHT-SIDE CONTROLS

The ergonomic right-hand console, shown above in the Cat 336, places machine controls, touchscreen access, and a jog dial within easy reach. Right, right-side button controls in Liebherr’s R 938 G8 excavator cab.

THE OPERATOR’S OFFICE

Visibility & Safety CLEAR SIGHTLINES TO THE WORKING AREA

Large glass areas and strategically positioned cameras help expand the operator’s view of the machine surroundings, improving overall job site awareness, as seen in Komatsu’s PC220LCi-12, shown right and below. The PC220LCi-12 includes Komatsu’s Komvision 360 camera + Human Object Detection system. Bottom left, the expansive view from the seat in the Cat 330 GC cab helps operators work with confidence and precision. Bottom right, the view through the front windshield toward the excavator boom and bucket inside the DEVELON -9 Series cab.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

VERTICAL VISIBILITY

Overhead skylights enhance upward visibility, bring natural light into the cab, and provide an additional emergency exit. Left, the skylight in Cat’s 340. Below, the skylight in DEVELON’s -9 Series. Bottom, the skylight in Liebherr’s R 938 G8.

GUARDING PROVIDES PROTECTION

Optional front Operator Protective Guards (OPG), seen below on the Cat 395 FS, provide added protection in demanding applications while maintaining clear visibility to the work area. Right, the optional FGPS front guard on Liebherr’s R 938 G8.

SAFE ENTRY & EXIT

Falls getting into and out of the cab are one of the biggest risks for operators. Bright handrails are easy to see and grab for safe threepoint-contact, as shown on a John Deere excavator, right. Far right, the entry step on the Cat 320 GC provides stable footing.

THE OPERATOR’S OFFICE

The Finer Details STORAGE & CUP HOLDERS

Shown right, Liebherr’s R 938 G8 features ample storage, including a cup holder, which is easily accessible to the right of the seat, and a storage box at the rear of the cab. Below, operators can keep their Cat cab clutter-free with convenient storage solutions, including behind the seat in the 320 GC.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL & SUN PROTECTION

HVAC systems, like in the DEVELON -9 Series cab shown left, keep operators comfortable throughout long work days all year round, and sun shades reduce glare in the cab. Above, a front windshield sun shade in Liebherr’s R 938 G8 excavator cab.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

BUILT IN NORTH AMERICA. READY FOR ANYTHING.

The Wacker Neuson ET40 delivers a brand new 4-ton excavator experience, built right close to home in the USA. From strong digging performance to smooth, responsive hydraulics designed for precise control and efficient cycle times, these new models will take a bite out of your workload. Visit us online or see your local Wacker Neuson dealer today, for a closer look at our full equipment line-up. wackerneuson.com

EXCAVATORS

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICAS (LANDCROS)

ZX890LC-7H

itachi’s 95-ton ZX890LC-7H excavator is designed to provide the digging power, operator comfort, and lower fuel consumption needed for mass earthmoving and quarry operations. The rugged undercarriage with integrated X-frame and enhanced track protection ensures the ZX890LC-7H is ready for tough job sites, says Hitachi. The excavator’s 510-hp Isuzu 6WG1 engine features built-in auto idle and auto shutdown control to reduce fuel consumption. Hitachi further lowers total cost of ownership with next-generation hydraulics that ease coupling, boost fuel efficiency, and maximize the number of compatible attachments. Tilt Control, Attachment/Arm Tuning Control, and hydraulic quick couplers help operators efficiently use heavy attachments; they can also change flow settings and save up to 16 attachment presets to streamline switching tasks. All major functions, including the 270-degree camera system, ECO Mode, and more, can be managed from the integrated 8-inch LCD monitor. Hitachi will rebrand as LANDCROS in April 2027.

ATTACHMENTS

EXCAVATOR ATTACHMENTS HEAVY-DUTY DYNASET HYDRAULIC RECYCLING VACUUM BUCKET FOR DEMOLITION MATERIAL SORTING

ynaset’s new HRVB-HD hydraulic recycling vacuum bucket is suitable for a wide range of applications, including waste sorting on demolition and construction sites. The HRVB-HD has a heavy-duty reinforced structure and is made of more durable materials to withstand demanding demolition site conditions compared to Dynaset’s standard HRVB vacuum bucket. With one attachment, operators can move material, compact waste inside containers, and vacuum lightweight materials, such as plastics, wood, insulation wool, and lightweight aggregates. The HRVB-HD reduces manual cleanup work, improves worksite safety by keeping people away from hazardous cleanup tasks, speeds up sorting and cleanup on demolition and construction

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

sites, and reduces dependence on vacuum trucks. The HRVB-HD converts the machine’s existing hydraulic system directly into vacuum and air blow. The unit produces negative air pressure of -8 kPa and an air flow of 3.4 cubic metres per second, delivering strong performance for light material collection and site cleaning. Installation is straightforward: the bucket is connected to the machine’s pressure and return lines, as well as the hatch control lines. An additional suction hose can be connected to the rear of the unit for manual vacuuming. A new HRVB Sound Suppressor is available for both bucket models. The Sound Suppressor reduces noise levels during attachment use to improve operator comfort and make the bucket more suitable for noise-sensitive areas.

DARDA DEMOLITION ATTACHMENTS FOR MINI EXCAVATORS

arda North America has introduced a series of demolition attachments for compact carriers, including mini excavators. Bolt cutters These new bolt cutters are a compact, hydraulic cold-cutting option with no sparks and no open flames. They safely cut through high-strength rebar up to 1.3 inches (32 millimetres) in diameter. Concrete crushers Ideal for job sites with noise restrictions, these concrete crushers have large jaw openings and provide crushing force from 44 to 54 tons, depending on the model. They can easily handle concrete slabs 17 to 22 inches (432 to 558 mm) thick. All crusher models can cut through rebar up to 1.2 inches (30 mm) in diameter. Changing jaw sets can convert the attachment into steel shears. Tank cutter This tank cutter attachment provides cold, continuous cutting for steel tanks, pipes, and vessels. The adjustable cutting gap offers a 120,000-pound (54,431-kilogram) cutting force in materials up to 0.5 inches (13 mm) thick. Steel shears Darda’s steel shears ensure fast, low-noise cutting for steel structures, large utility lines, and metal girders for scrapyards. The attachment’s 228,000-pound (103,419-kg) cutting force works independent of the carrier’s hydraulic pressure for consistent power and control with an 8-inch (204-mm) opening for easy positioning.

Rock splitters With Darda rock splitters, mini excavators can perform controlled, silent, and cost-effective rock splitting with no noise, vibration, or flying stone, delivering up to 1,800 tons of splitting force. A drilled hole in the rock with a diameter of 3 inches (76 mm) is required before the splitter is inserted and adjusted to set the splitting direction. The wedge drives between the two counter wedges to split them apart.

KUBOTA TILTROTATOR SIMPLIFIES SWITCHING BETWEEN TASKS

ubota’s tiltrotator handles a wide range of attachments, making it a true multi-tool for diverse job site tasks, including grading large surfaces, digging at challenging angles, sweeping debris, and handling materials. Operators can quickly switch attachments, boosting productivity and reducing downtime. The tiltrotator provides control and precision with 360-degree rotation and a 50-degree tilt angle. It is compatible with buckets, grading beams, pallet forks, grapples, brooms, asphalt cutters, and more. The compact, cylinderless design reduces wear and tear while delivering consistent torque and clamping force. Plug-and-play installation makes set-up fast and intuitive. The tiltrotator is compatible with a range of Kubota excavator models, including the U48-5, U55-5, KX057-5, and KX080-5. EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

ATTACHMENTS

ENGCON STREAMLINES INSTALLATION

ngcon is collaborating with OEMs to simplify installation of its DC3 tiltrotators on excavators. DC3 is engcon’s next-generation tiltrotator control system and is built on a new hardware and software platform. The company says DC3 is easier to install with OEM interfaces compared to traditional aftermarket solutions. The tiltrotator manufacturer’s partnership with Komatsu focuses on simplifying installation and reducing overall costs for end users of Komatsu -12 Series excavators, starting with the PC220LC-12 and PC220LCi-12. The integration enables semi-automatic control of bucket rotation and tilt through Komatsu’s Intelligent Machine Control 3.0. It also includes posture hold control, which automatically maintains attachment orientation. In addition to previous Cat crawler excavator support, DC3 tiltrotator installation is now seamless on Cat’s Next Gen wheeled excavators. Rapid installation of engcon tiltrotators on M314 through M322 models is facilitated by compatibility of engcon’s DC3 control system with Cat’s Software Enabled Attachment technology.

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BLUE DIAMOND AUGERS BREAK THROUGH TOUGH GROUND

lue Diamond Attachments’ new Extreme Duty Series 2 Augers deliver maximum torque and efficiency for challenging drilling applications in rocky and heavy soils. They are constructed with durable, high-grade materials intended to extend attachment life, and each auger features an Eaton drive motor and comes standard with 2- or 2.5-inch hex shafts. An 18- x 19-inch adapter plate provides compatibility with pin-on, pin-grabber, or wedge-lock excavator mounts. Six models are available, with maximum torque ranging from 2,630 to 7,189 foot-pounds. The compact, hightorque drive design allows the auger to extend into the hole, maximizing drilling depth and productivity. A twopiece shaft design ensures maximum side load ratings. To accommodate different ground conditions and drilling applications, Blue Diamond offers heavy-duty bits, heavy-duty bits with cast heads, rock bits, and tree bits.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENTS FOR CAT MINI EXCAVATORS

aterpillar has introduced three new attachments for mini excavators: bite-limiter mulchers, grading beams, and ditch cleaning buckets.

Bite-limiter mulchers

The new Cat bite-limiter mulchers for 6- to 10-tonne Cat mini excavators deliver high-performance cutting and mulching of vegetation, saplings, and undergrowth. With ribs on the rotor limiting material penetration of the chisel teeth to prevent stalling, the new mulchers quickly reduce trees and shrubs. Smaller bits provide a finer finish product for fast decomposition. An integrated thumb bracket allows the operator to pull or push material into position for mulching or to move it away. The chisel teeth deliver a consistent cut and finished product, and the included gauge ensures correct sharpening. A variable-displacement

piston motor provides high torque at low speed to power through tough material with reduced risk of stalling and automatically switches displacement to high speed once the material is cleared.

Grading beams

Designed for 5- to 10-tonne Cat mini excavators, the new Cat tiltrotate system (TRS) grading beams provide precise grading and levelling capabilities, particularly in 2D and 3D applications when paired with TRS6 and TRS8 attachments. Available 1,500-millimetre (59.5-inch) and 2,000-mm (78.7-inch) widths, these grading beams offer efficient, high-performance grading with 360 degrees of rotation and up to 40-degree angling capability. TRS vibration combines with machine down pressure to effectively compact material for a quality surface finish. Fixed in-line grading beams enable precise

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

levelling and grading by collecting, transporting, and spreading material across the job site. Spill guards positioned on top of the in-line wings provide additional control over material movement. Side bearings allow the depth of the heavy-duty roller and scraper assembly to be adjusted for added versatility. The scraper cleans the roller drum in both forward and reverse directions, preventing silt, clay, mud, and other materials from sticking to the roller bar. The roller supports material compaction in forward and reverse.

Ditch cleaning buckets

Cat’s pin-on tilting ditch cleaning buckets for next-generation mini excavators are flexible for digging trenches and slopes and in other applications that require digging angles up to 45 degrees. Widths and capacities range from 1,200 to 1,500 mm (48 to 60 inches) and 360 to 460 litres (12.9 to 16.4

cubic feet). A two-cylinder bucket design creates equal left/right tilt speed and equal hold force. The two horizontally positioned tilt cylinders are connected to one auxiliary for precise, synchronized movement of both cylinders. Their modular bracket design limits loss of breakout and digging forces, and the bracket connection features low offset for maximum digging efficiency. Limiting wear and reducing maintenance, the buckets have a hardened head centre bolt and hardened bushings design. The integrated tilting head stops protect cylinders from overload, while dirt deflector spill guards prevent material impact damage. The curved side plate design and curved cutting edges provide easier material penetration and better loading and unloading. Standard waterholes provide drainage and anti-vacuum when digging sludge.

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EXCAVATORS

WACKER NEUSON

ET40

acker Neuson highlights the consistent performance, simplified ownership, and job site versatility of its new 4-ton ET40 tracked excavator. The ET40 shares a platform with the forthcoming 3.5-ton EZ35 minimal-tail-swing model. Operators will appreciate the ET40’s strong digging performance with smooth, responsive hydraulics designed for precise control and efficient cycle times. A dozer blade with float function is standard, and flexible configuration options are available, including coupler packages, auxiliary hydraulics, and hydraulic thumb packages. Inside the cab, the ET40 includes a new 7-inch touchscreen display with customizable settings. Intuitive controls, excellent visibility, and an ergonomic layout help reduce fatigue and keep operators focused. Wacker Neuson has also switched auxiliary hydraulic controls from foot pedals to the joysticks, where they are controlled via two rocker switches. The ET40 is powered by a Yanmar engine and is designed with easily accessible service points to minimize downtime and facilitate efficient routine maintenance.

EXCAVATORS

STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU DETERMINE WHETHER STICKING WITH A SMALLER MACHINE IS OPTIMAL, OR IF IT’S TIME TO GO BIGGER BY LYNETTE VON MINDEN

RIGHT-SIZE YOUR

EXCAVATOR

Takeuchi’s TB3150R.

EXCAVATORS

“O

ne size fits all” is rarely true on a construction job site, unless you’re talking about a pair of safety goggles or a set of ear plugs. And it certainly doesn’t apply when selecting an excavator. Today’s excavators are expected to do far more than dig. With the right attachments, a single machine may trench for utilities in the morning, set pipe after lunch, and finish the day breaking up concrete or grading a site. That versatility makes choosing the right excavator especially important because contractors may ask a single machine to perform multiple roles throughout a project. In fact, with so many machine sizes and configurations available, selecting the right excavator for your project can have a significant impact on productivity, operating costs, and profitability. But right-sizing an excavator isn’t simply about choosing the biggest machine that fits the budget or the smallest machine that can complete the work. “There’s a more strategic way to decide what excavator is the optimal size, whether you’re renting one for a single job or purchasing one to handle most of your projects,” says Nolen Hood, product manager for Takeuchi-US. “The key is to think about how you’ll be using the machine and where, as well as any plans for future business growth or expansion.”

START WITH THE WORK, NOT THE MACHINE

The first step in selecting the right excavator is understanding the work the machine will be expected to perform. If you’re renting for a particular project, that means evaluating the specific demands of that job. If you’re purchasing, it means identifying the demands you’ll encounter across most of your typical projects. An excavator used primarily for utility installation will have different requirements than one dedicated to site development, demolition, or landscaping. The work itself should help you determine the digging depth, reach, lifting capability, hydraulic performance, and manoeuvrability you’ll need from your excavator to complete jobs efficiently. You should also consider which attachments the machine will use most frequently. Buckets, hydraulic thumbs, breakers, augers, and grapples all place different demands on the exca-

If crews consistently find themselves working at the limits of their current equipment, making extra digging passes, struggling with lifting requirements, or turning away projects because the machine lacks the necessary capability, it may be time to move into the next size class. Nolen Hood Product Manager, Takeuchi-US

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

An excavator used primarily for utility installation will have different requirements than one dedicated to site development, demolition, or landscaping.

vator. Selecting a machine with the hydraulic performance, stability, and lifting capacity to support those tools ensures it can transition efficiently between tasks without compromising productivity. “You may find that no one excavator can fill all your needs,” Hood says. “But until you start really thinking through the services you offer and what you may want to offer in the future, you may not know that. It’s all a part of the process. There may be times when renting an excavator that’s a different size or configuration is the best way to tackle a specialized application without adding another machine to your fleet.”

CONSIDER THE ENTIRE JOB SITE

Once you understand what you need the excavator to do, it’s time to consider the job site where it will operate. “A larger excavator may offer greater digging and lifting capability,” says Hood. “However, if you can’t transport it efficiently between jobs or manoeuvre it safely in confined work areas, those advantages may be offset by reduced versatility and higher operational costs.” The physical characteristics of the job site can be just as important as the work itself. Available working space, transportation requirements, ground conditions, and access limitations can all influence whether a conventional-tail-swing or reducedtail-swing machine — or even a different weight class altogether — is the better choice. Contractors should also evaluate the excavator’s working envelope, including tail swing, reach, and loading height, to ensure the machine can work efficiently within those site constraints. “Contractors working alongside buildings, roadways, or existing utilities may benefit from a reduced-tail-swing machine that can manoeuvre more easily in confined spaces,” says Hood. “Meanwhile, conventional-tail-swing excavators are often better suited for open job sites where maximum stability and lifting performance are priorities.”

Available working space, transportation requirements, ground conditions, and access limitations can all influence whether a conventional-tail-swing or reduced-tail-swing machine — or even a different weight class altogether — is the better choice.

WHEN TO CHOOSE A BIGGER EXCAVATOR

Sometimes, right-sizing an excavator for the job means moving into a larger size class. As businesses grow and take on larger or more demanding projects, their equipment needs often evolve as well. Smaller excavators may perform exceptionally well for residential construction, landscaping, and many utility applications. For larger commercial developments, infrastructure projects, and heavy utility work, you often need a machine with greater digging depth, reach, and lifting capability than a small excavator can efficiently provide. “The decision to move into a larger excavator size class should be driven by business needs,” Hood says. “If crews consistently find themselves working at the limits of their current equipment, making extra digging passes, struggling with lifting requirements, or turning away projects because the machine lacks the necessary capability, it may be time to move into the next size class.” As contractors take on a wider variety of projects, manufacturers have expanded their excavator lineups to provide contractors with more options that bridge the gap between traditional compact and full-size machines. These larger compact excavators are designed to deliver increased digging power, lift capacity, and hydraulic performance while retaining many of the transport and manoeuvrability advantages that have made compact excavators so popular.

MORE MODELS, BETTER SOLUTIONS

One example of this evolution is Takeuchi’s new TB3150 and TB3150R models, which, after their launch in November 2026, will be the company’s largest excavators available in the North American market. These new 15-ton models replace their predecessors, the TB2150 and TB2150R. “We developed the TB3150 and TB3150R for contractors who

need additional performance as they take on larger commercial, utility, and site development projects,” Hood says. “Rather than simply increasing machine size, we focused on giving customers a solution that better suits the way they work.” The TB3150 features a boom swing system for offset digging without repositioning the machine, making it well suited for utility work and other applications requiring precise positioning. Powered by a 115-hp engine and offering an operating weight of approximately 34,755 pounds, the excavator also incorporates increased hydraulic horsepower, a redesigned operator’s station, and standard Takeuchi Fleet Management telematics to support productivity, operator comfort, and fleet uptime. “The TB3150 illustrates how Takeuchi is responding to contractors who need greater capability but don’t necessarily need a full-size excavator,” Hood says. “As we and other manufacturers continue to evolve our equipment offerings, contractors have more options than ever to select a machine that more closely aligns with their specific applications, job sites, and long-term business goals.”

CHOOSE WISELY

Selecting the right excavator isn’t about choosing the biggest machine or the one with the most horsepower. Instead, consider the machine that best supports the work at hand and your business’ long-term goals. Hood says that by carefully evaluating typical applications, job site conditions, operating requirements, and future growth plans, you can better choose a single machine or add another to your existing fleet. “Taking your time, weighing your options, and eventually making the right choice should result in greater productivity, stronger returns on investment, and the flexibility to take on new opportunities as your business evolves,” he concludes. LYNETTE VON MINDEN is vice president and director of public relations at Swanson Russell.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

EXCAVATORS

JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY

230 P-TIER

ohn Deere’s New Generation mid-size excavators, including the 20-tonne-class 230 P‑Tier, provide the digging force and lift capacity that operators need for trenching, grading, craning, and truck loading. Powerful hydraulics, redesigned EH controls, and integrated technology support smooth multi-function control and fast machine responsiveness. Performance modes, including Dig, Lift, and Eco, match power to the application and manage fuel usage; hydraulic response is adjustable. John Deere’s new Remote Display Access (RDA), which is included and does not require a subscription, can be used to remotely adjust settings, review diagnostics, and troubleshoot the machine. Additional technologies include Machine Damage Avoidance and Virtual Fences, which protect the excavator and its surroundings by defining job site limits above, below, and around the excavator. Optional Advanced Vision and Object Detection Systems are available. SmartWeigh, John Deere’s dynamic weighing system, is integrated at the factory. An auto laser catch is part of the new John Deere 2D Grade Control system, which is standard and can be upgraded to full 3D SmartGrade with either Topcon or Leica. New EZ Control technology simplifies the control of the boom, arm, and bucket for smoother lifting and craning. Attachment Manager simplifies set-up and use of up to 20 attachments and ensures optimal configuration for use with grade control technology, Virtual Fences, Machine Damage Avoidance, and SmartWeigh.

SAFETY

LDR Excavate is designed to scan approximately one metre below the bucket at successive stages of the dig.

SEE WHAT LIES BENEATH RODRADAR’S BUCKET-INTEGRATED GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR SOLUTION INTRODUCES NEW LAYER OF STRIKEPREVENTION SAFETY TO THE EXCAVATION PROCESS BY MEGHAN BARTON, SENIOR WRITER

efore breaking ground, contractors need to answer a critical question: what is buried on the job site? Utility records, One Call services, electromagnetic locating, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and physical verification all help contractors identify buried infrastructure before excavation begins. Yet utility strikes remain a persistent problem, in part because records can be incomplete or inaccurate, and what is actually underground does not always match the information available to the contractor. RodRadar is approaching this problem from a different point in the excavation process. The company’s Live Dig Radar (LDR) technology extends utility detection into active excavation by putting GPR technology directly on the excavator bucket. RodRadar’s LDR Excavate system gives the operator another opportunity to identify buried infrastructure at the start of the digging process and at intervals throughout the excavation. “The whole industry is focusing on pre-project activities,” says Yuval Barnea, VP of sales and marketing at RodRadar. “We are not saying stop doing all the work that you’re doing,” Barnea says. “You have to, by law, . . . contact 811, use whatever methods that you can to get as accurate information as you can, do surveying before you go on the project site. But everybody knows that it is just not enough.”

LIVE DIG RADAR PEELS BACK THE GROUND

Conventional GPR surveys are typically conducted before excavation using an antenna moved across the ground by hand or mounted on a cart or vehicle. The system sends electromagnetic energy into the ground and analyzes the reflected signals to identify subsurface features. RodRadar applies that technology differently with the LDR Excavate bucket and its integrated Live Dig Radar technology. To scan, the operator places the bottom of the bucket against the ground and moves it across the area to be excavated. Reflected radar signals are processed automatically, and audio and visual results appear on the LDR Visualize tablet in the cab within seconds. The display identifies where a potential utility was detected and provides a depth range. The system processes the radar data automatically, eliminating the need for the operator to interpret raw sensor data. LDR Excavate is designed to scan approximately one metre below the bucket at successive stages of the dig. If the scan confirms that the next layer is clear, the operator can excavate

to that depth before scanning again to check for utilities farther below. As the excavator works downward, the radar moves with it, reducing the distance between the sensor and deeper infrastructure. If an object is detected but is sufficiently far below the bucket, the operator can remove a layer of material, pause excavation, and scan again. Detection is not limited to a particular utility material. LDR’s algorithms look for the characteristic radar reflections created by buried infrastructure while filtering out other signals, and the system identifies a potential utility without determining exactly what it is. “It doesn’t matter. We don’t care whether it’s metal [or] plastic because it can be anything,” Barnea says. “It can be a power line conduit, high voltage, low voltage. It can be a plastic conduit with fibre-optics inside. It can be a gas pipeline.” Accurate detection still depends on proper scanning technique, including sufficient overlap between passes. For the operator, what matters is how close that buried infrastructure is to the next digging pass. “We call it peeling the onion. Getting closer to the target, and, as [the operator] progresses, getting the information [needed to] avoid the utilities,” Barnea says. If the detection is close enough that excavation should not continue, the operator stops and the utility can be exposed using the appropriate method.

FROM DETECTION TO AUTOMATIC STOP

RodRadar’s next step has been to connect real-time underground detection with machine control. Through an integration with Hexagon’s Xwatch safety system, a detection can trigger a depth restriction that prevents the bucket from travelling below a predetermined threshold above the detected object. RodRadar calls the integrated system Stop Before Strike (SBS), and Barnea compares the progression to automotive driver-assistance technology. First it provides the driver with a warning, then it adds a system capable of intervening. The operator retains authority over the machine and can override the stop. “It’s [the operator’s] decision,” says Barnea. “But it has to be a conscious decision.” The Xwatch integration is not intended to be exclusive. RodRadar designed LDR to support integration with other machine control and safety systems, and Barnea says the company is working with other industry technology providers.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

SAFETY

LDR processes the radar data automatically, eliminating the need for the operator to interpret raw sensor data.

DETECTION DATA PUT TO WORK

LDR’s detection data can also have value after the immediate hazard has been avoided. LDR Insight is a cloud-based management portal that allows project stakeholders to access data generated in the field. Connected to the LDR Insight management portal, the LDR Capture mobile app allows contractors to document a detected utility once it has been safely exposed, including information about what it actually is. RodRadar is also working to add geolocation to detected utilities so that more accurate as-built information can be incorporated into contractors’ project data.

DEMAND DRIVES EXPANDED RANGE OF BUCKETS

RodRadar’s LDR Excavate solutions span excavators from approximately 1 ton up to 40 tons, and customer demand has also driven development of narrower bucket options for compact machines. U.K. utility contractor Network Plus asked RodRadar to develop a 12-inch-wide LDR bucket for compact excavators used for repair and maintenance work in congested urban environments. “We downscaled the solution to a very small bucket that can fit even the smallest machines,” Barnea says. The system can be installed on new or existing excavators because the LDR Excavate bucket attaches to the carrier like any other bucket. The radar hardware itself, however, cannot simply be added to an existing bucket. The antennas and electron-

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

ics are incorporated into a purpose-built structure designed to withstand excavation loads and shocks. RodRadar works with bucket manufacturers, including AMI and TAG, as well as attachment system manufacturers, such as engcon and OilQuick. With integrated quick-coupler systems, connecting the LDR bucket also connects its power and data, making it easier for operators to switch between the LDR bucket and other attachments.

DETECTION BECOMES PART OF THE DIG

Adding an LDR scan right before digging, and as the excavation progresses, introduces another step into the operating cycle. Barnea says that the added time should be weighed against the downtime that can follow a strike. “It doesn’t take a long time. I mean, a few seconds of a scan, a few seconds to get the result, then you act accordingly,” he says. The technology also has to work for the people using it. RodRadar has focused on automating signal interpretation so operators do not need GPR expertise, and training is focused on how to use the system effectively during excavation. “You can have the technology as amazing as possible integrated into the machine, but if you don’t have these easy automatic algorithms that provide . . . data [that is] very easily understood by the operators, it’s not going to mean anything.” For RodRadar, the longer-term objective is to make real-time detection another routine layer of excavation safety. The predig locate process tells a contractor what is expected to be underground. Live detection tells the operator what is beneath the bucket as they dig. HEG

Under the High Patronage of Mr Emmanuel MACRON President of the French Republic

The entire construction industry mobilised to build tomorrow better

#sus taina bility

PARIS 21-24 APRIL 2027 Sustainable construction solutions & technology exhibition

CO-LOCATED WITH

For full details on the next edition of the show #intermatparis sales@intermatconstruction.com ORGANISED BY

www.lesfeesgraphiques.com - 08/26

SAVE THE DATE

EXCAVATORS

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

ECR355

urpose-built for building and utilities applications, the 35-ton Volvo ECR355 compact radius excavator delivers increased lifting performance, faster cycle times, and more precision for trenching and backfilling compared to its predecessor. Productivity gains include a 7 percent increase in lifting capacity and 4 percent more tractive force. A new floating dozer blade increases grading efficiency, especially on uneven terrain. The ECR355’s new electro-hydraulic control system and redesigned main control valve have increased fuel efficiency by up to 7 percent. The system uses electronic sensors and the machine’s onboard computer to optimize flow and pressure, ensuring smooth and precise control of the boom, arm, and bucket. Electric cooling fans operate only when needed, minimizing engine load, noise, and fuel consumption. Additional efficiency-boosting technologies include new engine work modes, Comfort Driving Control, hydraulic priority setting, and automatic engine shutdown. Control of the ECR355 is intuitive with Volvo’s precision joystick system and ergonomic switch layout, allowing operators to customize settings to suit their preferences. Boom/Swing priority functions help operators work efficiently by prioritizing one function over another. As part of Volvo’s Dig Assist technology suite, Active Control automates boom and bucket movements for up to 45 percent faster grading, reducing rework and operator fatigue. Active Control also includes a boundary limits feature to restrict machine movement near obstacles. Dig Assist supports 2D and 3D machine control and In-Field Design.

SAFETY

SAFETY STARTS

SMART

Today’s excavators are designed to support safe operation with pre-set limits, alert systems, enhanced visibility, ergonomic cab design, and more.

WITH

DESIGN HOW ENGINEERING PHILOSOPHY SHAPES SAFE EXCAVATOR OPERATION BY JONATHAN GARDNER

SAFETY

ob site safety is influenced by many factors, including planning, training, communication, and, most importantly, equipment. Incidents often stem from visibility gaps when an operator can’t clearly see someone behind a machine, unexpected load shifts from equipment misuse, or newer operators pushing equipment past unclear limits. In seconds, a routine task becomes an incident. While human error remains a reality on every job site, equipment design can give operators better visibility, clearer feedback, and more intuitive control when quick, informed action is needed. Contractors managing these risks face a persistent challenge. Safety often depends on operator discipline and training alone. But that equation shifts when safety is engineered into the machine from conception. Design-first safety philosophy recognizes that operator error and fatigue are predictable human factors, not failures of discipline. Excavators offer a clear example of how this philosophy can take shape in practice. By accounting for predictable factors such as operator error, fatigue, and varying levels of experience, they can support safer operation. In this way, the machine becomes an active part of a broader safety approach rather than a tool that depends on human perfection

WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE, TROUBLE FOLLOWS

Visibility is fundamental to a safe operation, particularly on tight residential sites, around structures, or on busy job sites where crews and their equipment are moving nearby. Limited sightlines can leave operators with blind spots around the machine, making it hard to identify people, obstacles, and changing conditions. Modern excavator design can help address that challenge. Clear cab sightlines, rear-view cameras, and available 360-degree camera systems can help operators maintain better awareness without leaving the cab. Monitor placement matters, too: displays should be easy to check within the operator’s natural field of view, allowing them to access camera information while remaining focused on the work area. These systems must be usable in the conditions crews will likely face year-round. Dust, glare, low-light, and more can affect an operator’s sight, so camera performance and display clarity are important to consider. These thoughtful integrations can help operators spot hazards earlier and make fully informed decisions.

CAB COMFORT TRANSLATES TO SAFER OPERATION

How an operator interfaces with the machine shapes both safety and performance throughout the day. After sitting for eight or ten hours, fatigue sets in; ergonomic control layout reduces this. A poorly positioned joystick forces operators to strain or reach awkwardly, which compounds across a full day of repetitive movement, degrading decision-making and reaction time. Intuitive joystick positioning allows operators to work naturally rather than fighting machine controls. When controls feel natural, operators make better decisions about task sequencing and machine limits. Real-time feedback through monitors communicates load, pressure, engine status, and machine performance. Operators who can see what the machine is doing operate more confidently and safely. They understand the machine’s current state and can make informed decisions about the next task. A newer

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

Built-in safeguards ensure excavator operators lift within their limits.

operator watching load pressure on screen learns to feel the machine’s capabilities without guessing. That feedback loop is foundational to safe operation, and it’s especially valuable when crews include operators at different experience levels.

TODAY’S EXCAVATORS ARE ENGINEERED TO PREVENT EXCEEDING SAFE OPERATING LIMITS

Excavators are engineered for specific lifting capacities, swing angles, and reach distances, with a critical design principle that prevents operators from exceeding those limits. Load monitoring systems alert operators before they approach dangerous thresholds, while automatic stabilization prevents tipping and load shifts that could send material falling onto people below. Take, for example, a crew working near utilities or with multiple operators at different skill levels. One operator lifts carefully within limits; another pushes the machine harder without understanding the consequences. Without built-in safeguards, these moments are where incidents can happen, but with them, the machine enforces safe operation regardless of operator judgment. Attachment-specific limits matter too. A breaker attachment has different load and torque characteristics than a bucket, and a grapple requires different stability management than a thumb. Modern excavators allow fleet managers to configure these parameters for specific attachments, so the machine guides operators toward safe practices for each task. Fleet managers can also enforce limits through software lockouts. Restricting rpm, limiting high-flow hydraulics access, or disabling second-speed modes keeps operators within safe parameters. An operator working within engineered limits all day reduces downtime, protects attachments, and maintains safe performance. Over time, this consistency also means less operator stress and fewer mistakes born from exhaustion or uncertainty.

don’t replace training, experience, or sound judgment, but rather reinforce them by giving less-experienced operators useful feedback and support as they build familiarity with the machine. This helps crews work more confidently and consistently, and newer operators can develop their skills without feeling overwhelmed.

WHAT TO EVALUATE WHEN SELECTING EXCAVATOR TO SUPPORT JOB SITE SAFETY

SUPPORT FOR NEW AND SEASONED OPERATORS

Access to high-quality labour is tightening across job sites. Seasonal crews, regional gaps, and skill shortages mean contractors are deploying more inexperienced operators who are learning as they work. Owning equipment designed for this reality is an advantage. For newer operators, intuitive monitor displays and machine guidance can make the learning curve more manageable by providing clear information about machine functions and performance as they work. Features such as grade control support more consistent depth and angle, while stabilization technology helps operators maintain control when working on uneven ground or handling material. These tools

When choosing an excavator for your crew, three factors matter most: Visibility systems: Assess 360-degree camera coverage, rear-view camera placement, and cab sightlines. Can operators see the display without losing visibility of the job site around them? Does the camera system feel intuitive, or do you have to hunt for angles? Spend time evaluating whether the system works for real job site conditions. Control feel and feedback: Do the controls feel intuitive? Can operators see machine information without strain? If the controls feel awkward or the operator must reach or strain, that’s a problem that won’t go away after purchase. Built-in safeguards: Look for load monitoring, automatic stabilization, ride control, and fleet management lockout options. These systems reduce incidents, lower downtime, and protect equipment while enabling you to confidently deploy operators across different experience levels.

SAFETY TRANSLATES INTO PRODUCTIVITY

When safety is engineered into the machine from conception, everyone benefits. The operator works more confidently, and crew retention improves. The job site runs safely. Insurance costs decrease, equipment lasts longer, and downtime drops. That’s the difference between treating safety as a feature you add later versus as a foundational design philosophy. JONATHAN GARDNER is a construction equipment product manager at Kubota Canada.

Intuitive joystick positioning allows operators to work naturally rather than fighting machine controls.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

SPEC GUIDE

Excavators

2026 SPEC GUIDE

ur Excavators issue spec guide covers the wide range of tracked excavators available in North America. From mini excavators for small projects to large-size machines for high-production earthworks and quarries, there is a model ready to take on any job. Specs are incredibly complicated. To present these in a clear and concise manner, we have made several editorial decisions. While these decisions reduce the opportunity for OEM-specific nuance, we hope that this clear format serves as a valuable starting point for evaluating excavator options.

A NOTE ON OUR METHODOLOGY

Not all OEMs classify their machines the same. For example, a mini excavator in one shade of yellow might be classed as a compact excavator, or a midi, in another paint colour. We have standardized size categories to best reflect the most common industry size breakdown and used strict operating weight cutoffs for each category to simplify comparison between OEMs. Models are organized by operating weight in ascending order. Many of these machines, across all size classes, are available in multiple configurations with options that may result in minor spec variation. Those options can be steel vs. rubber tracks, different boom and stick lengths, different tail swings, a variety of bucket sizes, and more. All excavators are presented with the standard factory configuration specs from the OEM. All mini excavators that are available with a cab are presented with specs that reflect the cabbed version. We have included battery-electric variants, which are marked in green. All specs are rounded to the nearest whole number, except for bucket capacities. Due to inconsistent availability of information, bucket capacities are only included for mid-size and large excavators. Specs have been produced in collaboration with and have been verified by the OEMs. While the vast majority of excavators available in North America are included, a few OEMs have not participated in the 2026 spec guide. Turn the page to check out nearly 400 models from 22 OEMs — and maybe you’ll find your next excavator. — Kaitlyn Till, Editor in Chief

John Deere’s 230 P-Tier.

SPEC GUIDE: MINI EXCAVATORS

MiniUNDER Excavators 7 TONS

Bobcat’s E35.

SPEC GUIDE: MINI EXCAVATORS

BOBCAT COMPANY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)*

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

E10

2,593

6' 0"

10' 2"

6' 0"

1,865

E10e

2,648

6' 0"

10' 1"

6' 0"

1,865

E17

3,774

7' 3"

12' 11"

8' 2"

3,271

E20

4,167

8' 4"

13' 6"

9' 2"

4,121

E19e

4,225

7' 8"

13' 3"

8' 4"

4,584

E26

6,489

9' 6"

16' 0"

10' 9"

5,652

E32

7,403

10' 1"

16' 2"

11' 5"

7,284

E35

7,659

10' 1"

17' 0"

11' 5"

7,284

E38

7,893

10' 1"

17' 0"

11' 5"

7,284

E40

9,180

10' 10"

17' 11"

12' 2"

7,284

E48

9,830

10' 4"

17' 3"

12' 6"

9,601

E55

11,357

11' 4"

19' 3"

13' 0"

9,511

E60

12,315

13' 1"

20' 6"

14' 3"

10,261

*Bobcat provides Gross HP, not Net.

CASE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

CX12D

2,932

6' 6"

11' 6"

7' 3"

2,585

CX15EV

3,131

7' 2"

12' 2"

7' 10"

2,600

CX19D

4,431

8' 2"

13' 6"

8' 10"

3,372

CX25EV

5,159

9' 1"

14' 9"

9' 1"

3,597

CX30D

7,143

8' 8"

15' 5"

9' 7"

4,116

CX34D

7,672

9' 5"

16' 5"

10' 7"

6,800

CX38D

8,333

10' 11"

17' 7"

11' 10"

6,800

CX42D

9,259

10' 11"

18' 1"

12' 6"

9,667

CX50D

10,912

11' 9"

18' 10"

13' 5"

9,667

CX60D

13,162

13' 5"

20' 10"

13' 11"

11,915

100 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

CATERPILLAR MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

300.9D

2,061

5' 8"

9' 11"

6' 8"

2,000

301.5

3,913

7' 8"

12' 3"

8' 1"

3,170

301.7 CR

4,222

7' 8"

12' 10"

8' 1"

3,642

301.8

4,473

7' 10"

12' 7"

8' 5"

4,406

302 CR

4,987

7' 10"

13' 3"

8' 5"

4,406

302.7 CR

6,725

8' 3"

14' 10"

9' 8"

5,238

303 CR

7,817

8' 8"

15' 10"

10' 5"

6,385

303.5 CR

9,239

9' 3"

16' 10"

11' 5"

7,419

304

9,867

10' 6"

17' 1"

12' 0"

8,588

305 CR

12,688

11' 3"

18' 4"

12' 2"

11,061

DEVELON MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

DX17Z-7

4,210

7' 4"

12' 6"

8' 9"

3,668

DX27Z-7

6,107

8' 8"

14' 10"

9' 8"

4,894

DX35Z-7

8,554

10' 9"

17' 2"

11' 9"

7,143

DX42-7

9,876

11' 5"

17' 10"

12' 9"

6,482

DX50Z-7

11,988

11' 5"

19' 0"

12' 6"

7,606

DX55R-7

12,655

11' 11"

19' 6"

12' 7"

9,766

DX62R-7

13,704

12' 5"

20' 3"

13' 3"

9,700

DX63-7

13,708

12' 5"

19' 8"

13' 3"

9,700

HD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

HX17AZ

4,370

8' 0"

13' 2"

9' 3"

3,167

HX27AZ

5,920

8' 3"

14' 6"

13' 8"

4,584

HX35AZ

9,350

11' 3"

18' 6"

11' 4"

6,415

HX40A

9,680

11' 3"

17' 8"

12' 11"

9,835

HX48AZ

11,900

11' 6"

19' 2"

12' 8"

8,409

HX55ACR

12,460

12' 6"

20' 2"

13' 8"

8,354

HX60A

13,580

13' 4"

21' 2"

13' 10"

9,462

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

101

SPEC GUIDE: MINI EXCAVATORS

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICAS (LANDCROS) MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

ZX17U-5N

3,790

7' 2"

12' 2"

8' 3"

3,598

ZX26U-5N

5,890

8' 6"

15' 0"

10' 0"

4,994

ZX30U-5N

7,055

9' 2"

15' 7"

9' 11"

6,110

ZX35U-5N

8,532

11' 4"

17' 9"

11' 1"

6,085

ZX50U-5N

11,341

12' 7"

20' 1"

14' 2"

8,267

JCB MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

18Z-1

3,649

8' 0"

12' 7"

8' 6"

4,046

19C-1

4,066

8' 0"

12' 7"

8' 6"

4,046

19C-1E

4,491

8' 0"

12' 7"

8' 6"

4,046

25Z-1

5,622

8' 7"

14' 3"

9' 11"

5,013

35Z-1

7,839

10' 4"

16' 6"

11' 1"

7,284

50Z-1

10,565

11' 6"

18' 9"

13' 1"

8,543

55Z-1

11,830

12' 6"

19' 8"

14' 0"

9,442

JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

17 P-Tier

3,920

7' 10"

12' 10"

7' 9"

4,339

26 P-Tier

5,795

8' 7"

14' 10"

9' 1"

5,398

30 P-Tier

7,220

9' 2"

16' 1"

9' 11"

6,110

35 P-Tier

8,135

10' 0"

17' 1"

10' 10"

6,085

40 P-Tier

8,521

11' 0"

18' 1"

11' 6"

8,340

50 P-Tier

10,847

11' 7"

19' 7"

13' 4"

8,267

60 P-Tier

13,620

12' 4"

20' 5"

13' 8"

9,240

102 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

KIOTI MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

MX350A

8,510

10' 1"

17' 3"

10' 10"

6,744

MX570A

13,076

11' 5"

20' 3"

14' 0"

9,892

KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY U.S.A. MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

SK17SR-6E

3,681

7' 7"

12' 3"

8' 7"

2,833

SK26SR-7

6,504

9' 2"

16' 1"

10' 0"

5,080

SK35SR-7

9,340

11' 0"

18' 0"

12' 0"

8,660

SK45SRX-7

10,648

11' 3"

18' 8"

13' 5"

11,232

SK55SRX-7

12,147

12' 9"

20' 0"

14' 4"

11,232

KOMATSU MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

PC30MR-5 E1

7,143

9' 1"

16' 1"

10' 7"

6,631

PC35MR-5 E1

8,532

11' 4"

18' 1"

11' 9"

6,722

PC45MR-5

11,001

11' 11"

19' 4"

12' 2"

7,628

PC55MR-5

11,618

12' 4"

19' 11"

12' 9"

8,774

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

KUBOTA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

K008-5

2,200

5' 8"

9' 11"

6' 8"

2,205

U10-5

2,646

5' 11"

10' 11"

7' 3"

2,337

U17-5

3,902

7' 6"

12' 6"

8' 1"

3,552

KX018-4

3,957

7' 10"

12' 8"

7' 10"

3,594

U27-4

5,908

9' 5"

15' 4"

10' 0"

7,014

KX030-4

6,426

9' 7"

15' 9"

10' 4"

6,824

KX033-4

8,300

10' 6"

16' 10"

11' 7"

8,138

U35-4

8,810

9' 9"

16' 11"

11' 1"

7,924

KX040-5

9,480

11' 2"

17' 9"

12' 10"

9,397

U48-5

11,057

10' 8"

18' 4"

12' 9"

9,304

U55-5

12,456

11' 11"

19' 7"

13' 1"

10,172

KX057-5

12,577

12' 9"

20' 1"

13' 8"

11,177

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

103

SPEC GUIDE: MINI EXCAVATORS

LIUGONG NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

9017FZTS

3,858

7' 5"

11' 3"

5' 5"

3,597

9018F

4,189

8' 0"

13' 3"

8' 1"

3,600

9027FZTS

6,063

9' 4"

15' 3"

10' 1"

4,500

9027FE

6,305

21 kWh

8' 10"

14' 9"

9' 9"

4,496

9035FZTS

8,380

10' 1"

17' 8"

10' 10"

6,740

9051FZTS

11,420

11' 5"

18' 11"

12' 9"

8,300

9057FZTS

12,600

11' 11"

19' 10"

13' 1"

9,900

MECALAC MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

6MCR

12,600

10' 1"

20' 5"

10' 3"

9,100

John Deere’s 40 P-Tier.

104 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

NEW HOLLAND CONSTRUCTION MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

E12D

2,932

6' 11"

E15X

3,149

E19D

4,145

E25X

5,445

E30D

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

16' 5"

7' 0"

2,585

6' 7"

11' 8"

7' 5"

2,600

7' 6"

12' 10"

8' 6"

3,372

8' 5"

14' 1"

8' 8"

3,597

7,143

8' 8"

15' 0"

10' 2"

7,868

E38D

8,620

10' 1"

16' 5"

10' 7"

6,810

E42D

9,590

10' 1"

17' 3"

12' 0"

9,667

E50D

10,912

10' 11"

18' 1"

12' 10"

9,667

E60D

13,162

12' 8"

20' 1"

13' 5"

11,915

MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

SY10U

2,635

6' 1''

11' 7''

6' 11''

2,900

SY16C

4,023

7' 9"

13' 1"

8' 8"

3,732

SY18U

4,244

8' 6"

13' 7"

8' 1"

Not available

SY26U

6,085

9' 3"

15' 11"

10' 2"

6,274

SY35U

8,499

10' 2"

17' 11"

11' 4"

Not available

SY50U

11,684

11' 3"

19' 3"

12' 6"

Not available

SY60U

13,889

13' 1"

20' 11"

13' 0"

10,116

SANY

TAKEUCHI-US MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

TB210R

2,535

5' 9"

TB216

3,900

TB20e

4,255

25 kWh

TB225

4,995

TB230

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

10' 7"

7' 0"

2,520

7' 10"

13' 3"

8' 11"

3,147

7' 10"

13' 3"

8' 11"

3,080

8' 6"

13' 11"

9' 5"

4,339

6,215

9' 4"

15' 5"

10' 7"

4,699

TB235-2

7,416

10' 8"

16' 10"

11' 10"

6,092

TB335R

7,970

10' 6"

17' 5"

11' 7"

6,092

TB240

8,575

11' 4"

17' 10"

12' 7"

6,924

TB250-2

10,970

12' 5"

19' 8"

13' 3"

8,385

TB350R

10,980

11' 9"

19' 5"

12' 11"

8,390

TB260

12,160

12' 9"

20' 1"

13' 10"

9,712

TB257FR

12,675

12' 9"

19' 11"

12' 9"

8,230

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

105

SPEC GUIDE: MINI EXCAVATORS

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

ECR18E

3,748

8' 0"

13' 7"

8' 0"

2,900

ECR18 Electric

4,120

8' 11"

13' 6"

8' 0"

2,900

EC20E

4,332

8' 7"

14' 0"

8' 7"

4,107

ECR25D

5,490

9' 1"

15' 10"

9' 2"

5,020

EC27D

6,019

10' 2"

15' 8"

10' 2"

5,528

ECR25 Electric

6,129

9' 9"

15' 1"

9' 8"

5,020

EC37

8,345

11' 11"

17' 10"

11' 5"

7,987

ECR40

8,785

12' 4"

18' 11"

11' 5"

7,987

ECR50

11,133

12' 5"

20' 4"

12' 5"

8,134

ECR58

12,875

12' 9"

20' 7"

13' 1"

9,422

EC65

13,420

13' 1"

20' 6"

14' 3"

9,720

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

WACKER NEUSON MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

803

2,458

5' 9"

9' 11"

6' 7"

2,021

EZ17

4,299

8' 2"

13' 3"

8' 4"

4,609

EZ26

7,403

9' 2"

15' 9"

9' 6"

5,081

ET40

8,907

11' 3"

18' 6"

12' 0"

7,980

EZ36

10,902

11' 6"

18' 10"

11' 5"

7,868

EZ50

12,908

12' 0"

20' 0"

12' 5"

7,014

YANMAR COMPACT EQUIPMENT NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

SV08-1D

2,348

ViO17-1E

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

4' 11"

8' 11"

6' 9"

2,360

4,023

7' 7"

12' 6"

8' 6"

3,474

ViO25-6B

5,908

10' 0"

13' 6"

9' 2"

4,788

ViO35-7

7,882

10' 8"

17' 4"

11' 2"

5,485

SV40

9,515

11' 4"

18' 0"

11' 11"

7,209

ViO50-6A

10,792

11' 8"

18' 10"

12' 1"

8,206

ViO55-6A

12,247

12' 10"

20' 2"

13' 3"

9,419

106 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

CASE’s CX38D.

Yanmar’s ViO35-7.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

107

SPEC GUIDE: SMALL EXCAVATORS

Small Excavators 7–20 TONS Caterpillar’s 309 CR.

SPEC GUIDE: SMALL EXCAVATORS

BOBCAT COMPANY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)*

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

E88

19,600

15' 2"

E145

34,946

115

E165

38,376

131

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

23' 6"

16' 6"

15,130

19' 6"

28' 0"

23' 3"

24,471

20' 0"

28' 10"

21' 4"

25,794

*Bobcat provides Gross HP, not Net.

CASE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

CX70E

16,072

14' 0"

22' 8"

18' 7"

10,903

CX85E

19,467

13' 2"

21' 5"

17' 9"

14,163

CX90E

20,305

14' 8"

23' 2"

16' 0"

14,162

CX140E

28,900

102

19' 10"

27' 3"

21' 11"

20,200

CX145E SR

34,500

105

19' 9"

28' 3"

23' 11"

20,200

CX170E

38,400

121

21' 4"

29' 8"

21' 11"

25,200

CATERPILLAR MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

306 CR

15,766

12' 2"

20' 1"

14' 2"

11,578

307.5

17,905

13' 5"

20' 2"

17' 5"

12,272

308 CR

20,771

13' 8"

22' 10"

15' 7"

13,946

309 CR

20,870

13' 8"

22' 10"

15' 7"

13,943

310

23,002

17' 1"

24' 10"

19' 2"

17,459

313

30,400

108

19' 10"

28' 5"

21' 1"

22,180

315

34,000

108

19' 8"

28' 6"

23' 8"

22,180

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

DEVELON MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

DX89R-7

20,983

13' 6"

22' 6"

15' 5"

14,771

DX100W-7

25,221

101

13' 11"

24' 11"

20' 6"

13,173

DX140LC-7K

31,747

107

20' 2"

28' 0"

21' 2"

24,471

DX170LC-7

38,360

115

20' 3"

29' 2"

21' 1"

27,778

110 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

HD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

HX85A

19,030

15' 3''

23' 11''

17' 0''

13,852

HX90A

20,040

15' 3''

23' 11''

17' 0''

13,852

HX130A LCR

29,649

18' 6"

26' 8"

20' 0"

22,024

HX140A L

33,580

131

15' 5"

23' 9"

17' 7"

25,044

HX145A LCR

34,020

131

19' 6"

28' 4"

23' 10"

25,044

HX160A L

39,010

152

21' 5"

31' 0"

21' 0"

28,378

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICAS (LANDCROS) ZX60USB-5N 14,021 54 13' 6" 21' 1" 14' 6" 9,237 MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

ZX75US-7

18,600

15' 3"

22' 1"

18' 0"

12,927

ZX85USB-7

19,500

14' 10"

24' 4"

16' 10"

12,927

ZX130-7H

30,900

100

19' 9"

28' 5"

21' 5"

23,400

ZX135US-7H

32,000

100

19' 7"

28' 7"

23' 9"

23,400

ZX160LC-7H

39,683

132

21' 4"

30' 1"

21' 0"

25,179

JCB MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

85Z-2

18,409

12' 2"

22' 6"

16' 7"

12,837

86C-2

19,180

14' 10"

23' 8"

18' 1"

12,837

90Z-2

19,510

15' 8"

24' 3"

17' 9"

12,837

100C-2

21,384

16' 8"

24' 5"

18' 7"

16,231

131X

32,670

19' 11"

28' 7"

26' 1"

20,794

150X

34,460

108

19' 11"

28' 7"

26' 1"

23,043

JZ141

35,283

19' 10"

28' 5"

23' 0"

20,682

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

111

SPEC GUIDE: SMALL EXCAVATORS

JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

75 P-Tier

18,559

15' 3"

22' 6"

18' 0"

13,264

85 P-Tier

19,445

14' 10"

24' 10"

16' 10"

13,264

130 P-Tier

29,531

19' 9"

28' 5"

21' 5"

21,480

135 P-Tier

31,526

101

20' 0"

28' 4"

23' 4"

23,380

160 P-Tier

39,526

122

21' 4"

30' 1"

21' 0"

25,180

KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY U.S.A. MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

SK75SR-7

18,700

15' 0"

22' 2"

18' 7"

15,900

SK85CS-7

20,100

24' 7"

24' 1"

18' 7"

15,900

SK130LC-11

32,800

19' 7"

28' 3"

20' 11"

24,819

SK140SRLC-7

32,800

105

19' 7"

28' 5"

23' 4"

24,800

SK170LC-11

39,500

123

21' 3"

30' 7"

23' 4"

28,300

KOMATSU MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

PC78US-11

18,188

15' 3"

22' 3"

18' 3"

13,780

PC88MR-11

19,224

15' 0"

23' 5"

15' 8"

13,780

PC130LC-11

29,101

19' 6"

28' 2"

21' 8"

21,000

PC138USLC-11

37,547

19' 4"

28' 3"

24' 1"

19,840

MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

KX080-5

18,610

15' 1"

17' 3"

14,660

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

21' 0"

20,010

KUBOTA 23' 6"

LIEBHERR MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

R 915 Compact Litronic Gen 8

37,390

122

19' 1"

112

heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

27' 9"

LINK-BELT EXCAVATORS MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

75X3

17,400

13' 7"

80X3

18,900

130 X4 LC/DZ*

29,100

102

145 X4S LC/DZ*

32,600

170 X4S

39,500

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

20' 7"

17' 4''

12,800

13' 9"

22' 9"

14' 10''

12,800

18' 2"

26' 10"

20' 11"

20,200

102

18' 1"

26' 9"

21' 8"

20,200

120

19' 11"

29' 1"

21' 8"

25,200

*Models available as separate LC (long undercarriage) and DZ (dozer blade) configurations will have a slightly higher operating weight in the DZ configuration.

LIUGONG NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

909ECR

19,180

14' 11"

23' 3"

15' 0"

14,163

913FCR

32,400

19' 4"

28' 2"

22' 5"

21,780

915FCR

34,000

122

19' 6"

28' 4"

22' 3"

21,780

MECALAC’s 15MC.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

113

SPEC GUIDE: SMALL EXCAVATORS

MECALAC MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

8MCR

15,900

12' 1"

10MCR

20,700

15MC

32,000

136

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

22' 1"

11' 8"

11,460

13' 1"

24' 7"

12' 3"

14,600

16' 4"

28' 10"

18' 9"

18,370

NEW HOLLAND CONSTRUCTION MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

E70D

16,072

13' 4"

E85D

19,467

E90D

20,305

MODEL

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

21' 8"

14' 7"

10,903

12' 6"

20' 6"

17' 2"

13,151

14' 0"

21' 11"

15' 4"

13,151

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

SY75C

16,050

14' 7"

SY80U

19,401

SY95C

20,238

SY135C SY155U

SANY MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

21' 4"

18' 0"

Not available

14' 11"

23' 11"

17' 10"

Not available

14' 2"

21' 10"

17' 1"

Not available

32,783

104

18' 1"

27' 2"

20' 3"

Not available

35,274

104

17' 11"

27' 4"

22' 2"

Not available

TAKEUCHI-US MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

TB370

14,850

13' 5"

TB280FR

18,805

TB290

18,585

TB2150

34,646

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

21' 7"

14' 11"

10,881

14' 11"

23' 1"

14' 8"

10,499

15' 0"

23' 11"

17' 3"

13,286

114

17' 10"

28' 1"

20' 6"

21,649

114 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

ECR90

21,000

14' 10"

EC140E

34,570

121

ECR145

35,900

121

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

23' 7"

16' 3"

14,510

19' 11"

29' 0"

20' 8"

21,720

19' 11"

29' 0"

24' 0"

21,720

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

WACKER NEUSON MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

ET58

14,079

13' 2"

20' 7"

13' 1"

6,474

ET65

16,221

13' 6"

21' 4"

13' 5"

11,398

ET90

23,162

15' 2"

24' 7"

17' 4"

16,591

ET145

38,085

17' 10"

28' 11"

19' 8"

20,458

YANMAR COMPACT EQUIPMENT NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

ViO80-7

18,409

14' 4"

23' 5"

15' 2"

10,813

SV100-7

21,671

14' 11"

24' 1"

16' 8"

12,027

Liebherr’s R 915 Compact Litronic Gen 8.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

115

SPEC GUIDE: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

mid-size Excavators 20–50 TONS

Komatsu’s PC220LCi-12.

SPEC GUIDE: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

BOBCAT COMPANY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)*

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

E220 E245

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

52,738

174

21' 8"

31' 9"

22' 4"

35,464

Not available

56,908

189

21' 11"

31' 8"

26' 1"

35,464

Not available

*Bobcat provides Gross HP, not Net.

CASE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

CX190E

41,000

121

21' 4"

29' 8"

21' 11"

31,923

0.74

CX220E

50,000

162

21' 7"

32' 6"

22' 3"

27,700

0.84

CX255E SR

56,900

160

21' 10"

30' 1"

26' 2"

31,800

0.84

CX260E

56,900

179

24' 4"

33' 9"

23' 2"

36,420

1.25

CX300E

67,000

259

24' 10"

35' 0"

24' 3"

39,342

1.36

CX365E SR

78,600

205

24' 5"

34' 8"

27' 10"

56,157

1.75

CX380E

83,114

268

26' 9"

38' 6"

24' 8"

39,340

1.36

CATERPILLAR MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

317

40,200

133

21' 0"

29' 7"

20' 7"

27,650

0.99

319

43,400

133

21' 11"

32' 2"

23' 1"

29,900

1.31

320

49,800

172

22' 1"

32' 5"

21' 3"

31,586

2.31

323

55,100

172

22' 1"

32' 5"

21' 3"

33,811

2.31

326

56,400

201

22' 5"

33' 2"

21' 8"

33,720

2.58

325

62,600

172

22' 0"

32' 1"

25' 11"

33,720

2.58

330

69,200

273

23' 9"

35' 0"

22' 10"

40,200

2.58

335

77,000

273

22' 11"

34' 11"

26' 1"

46,482

2.58

336

81,100

302

26' 11"

38' 7"

24' 7"

47,180

2.61

340

83,100

347

27' 0"

38' 7"

24' 6"

45,390

3.4

118 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

DEVELON MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

DX230LC-9

53,352

181

21' 9"

31' 11"

22' 4"

36,376

1.2

DX235LCR-7

57,133

170

21' 11"

31' 8"

26' 1"

36,376

1.2

DX260LC-9

60,407

221

22' 4"

32' 9"

23' 1"

43,652

1.5

DX300LC-9

74,979

278

23' 11"

34' 5"

23' 11"

46,311

2.1

DX360LC-9

84,256

300

24' 8"

35' 10"

23' 8"

58,226

2.7

DX400LC-9

95,703

337

24' 3"

35' 9"

24' 0"

59,350

2.9

HD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

HX180A L

43,000

152

21' 5"

31' 0"

21' 0"

28,378

0.95

HX230L

52,260

189

21' 9"

32' 6"

22' 10"

35,510

1.2

HX210L

53,500

189

21' 9"

31' 11"

22' 4"

35,630

1.31

HX220A L

53,860

170

22' 1"

32' 9"

23' 11"

34,238

1.2

HX235A LCR HX260L

54,140

170

21' 11"

32' 6"

25' 11"

34,238

1.31

58,140

229

22' 4"

33' 4"

23' 6"

39,250

1.53

HX300L

72,800

279

23' 11"

36' 2"

24' 4"

46,220

1.98

HX350A L

77,184

304

24' 2"

36' 7"

25' 0"

48,722

1.88

HX355A LCR

79,807

258

22' 10"

34' 10"

26' 5"

44,754

1.75

HX360L

81,700

304

24' 8"

38' 4"

25' 1"

58,200

2.37

HX380A L

88,053

359

24' 8"

36' 7"

24' 7"

51,368

2.12

HX400L

92,240

340

24' 3''

38' 3"

25' 6"

58,200

2.66

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICAS (LANDCROS) MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING BUCKET CAPACITY FORCE (LBF) (CUBIC YARDS)

ZX190LC-7H

43,872

132

23' 2"

32' 1"

22' 9"

28,551

0.67

ZX210LC-7H

50,900

164

21' 11"

32' 0"

23' 7"

35,500

1.05

ZX245USLC-7H

57,100

164

21' 8"

32' 6"

27' 2"

35,500

1.05

ZX250LC-7H

60,186

177

25' 0"

35' 3"

24' 10"

42,264

1.31

ZX300LC-7H

69,005

249

25' 10"

36' 5"

24' 9"

45,411

1.63

ZX345USLC-7H

79,336

249

24' 10"

36' 10"

28' 5"

45,411

1.63

ZX350LC-7H

80,248

271

26' 10"

38' 3"

25' 0"

55,303

1.83

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

119

SPEC GUIDE: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

JCB MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

JS160

42,957

130

20' 7"

29' 9"

22' 7"

26,078

1.29

220X

54,549

173

21' 11"

31' 8"

21' 4"

33,272

1.63

245XR

61,749

173

21' 9"

32' 1"

26' 1"

33,272

1.66

370X

87,417

322

27' 5"

39' 0"

23' 10"

56,067

2.7

420X

93,454

322

24' 8"

36' 4"

23' 1"

56,078

3.4

JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

200 G-Tier

45,170

146

23' 2"

32' 1"

22' 9"

28,552

1.31

210 P-Tier

51,370

157

21' 10"

31' 9"

22' 7"

36,644

1.3

230 P-Tier

55,560

170

21' 10"

31' 9"

22' 7"

36,644

1.3

245 P-Tier

56,879

164

21' 8"

32' 6"

27' 6"

35,520

1.31

260 P-Tier

60,410

202

25' 7"

35' 4"

24' 5"

39,342

1.83

300 P-Tier

68,674

223

25' 10"

36' 5"

24' 9"

45,411

1.88

345 P-Tier

78,705

249

24' 10"

36' 10"

28' 5"

45,410

2.09

350 P-Tier

80,985

271

26' 10"

38' 3"

25' 0"

55,303

2.3

380 P-Tier

85,462

271

26' 10"

38' 3"

25' 0"

55,303

2.3

KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY U.S.A. MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

SK210LC-11

50,000

160

22' 0"

31' 11"

22' 8"

35,300

Not available

SK230SRLC-7

57,100

164

21' 7"

31' 3"

25' 4"

29,700

Not available

SK260LC-11

60,200

194

23' 0"

33' 3"

22' 7"

42,000

Not available

SK270SRLC-7

61,100

164

23' 1"

33' 0"

28' 5"

35,300

Not available

SK300LC-11

69,200

265

23' 7"

35' 0"

23' 4"

46,800

Not available

SK350LC-11

84,200

265

24' 1"

36' 3"

24' 9"

56,200

Not available

SK380SRLC-7

84,700

265

22' 11"

35' 3"

26' 9"

46,800

Not available

120 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

KOMATSU MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP DEPTH (FT.-IN.) GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING BUCKET CAPACITY FORCE (LBF) (CUBIC YARDS)

PC170LC-11

43,115

121

20' 6"

29' 9"

21' 5"

27,651

1.24

PC220LC/LCi-12*

54,675

173

21' 9"

31' 10"

23' 4"

35,715

1.85

PC238USLC-11

55,660

165

21' 9"

31' 10"

25' 8"

33,500

1.57

PC240LC-11

56,360

177

24' 0"

34' 2"

24' 2"

38,667

1.85

PC290LC/LCi-11*

72,091

196

23' 4"

35' 2"

24' 5"

44,533

2.13

PC360LC/LCi-11*

80,547

257

26' 7"

38' 6"

24' 7"

50,930

2.56

PC365LC-11

85,495

269

26' 10"

38' 6"

24' 7"

50,930

2.56

PC390LC/LCi-11*

90,441

257

26' 7"

38' 5"

24' 11"

50,930

2.91

*LCi versions include Komatsu’s Intelligent Machine Control.

LIEBHERR MODEL

OPERATING NET POWER WEIGHT (LBS) (HP)

MAX DIG MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP DEPTH (FT.-IN.) GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

R 917 Compact Litronic Gen 8

40,630

136

17' 11"

27' 10"

21' 4"

22,030

1.24

R 920 Compact Litronic Gen 8

46,365

150

18' 6"

28' 10"

22' 9"

22,030

1.24

R 922 Litronic Gen 8

52,360

163

24' 1"

34' 0"

22' 4"

35,970

1.96

R 924 Litronic Gen 8

56,440

175

24' 1"

34' 0"

22' 4"

38,900

2.16

R 926 Compact Litronic

65,365

175

22' 0"

31' 5"

27' 2"

31,470

1.96

R 928 Litronic Gen 8

67,020

204

24' 4"

34' 3"

23' 4"

42,040

2.42

R 930 Litronic Gen 8

71,210

245

25' 9"

36' 3"

24' 6"

45,860

2.81

R 934 Litronic Gen 8

81,240

272

26' 6"

37' 8"

23' 6"

50,130

3.27

R 936 Compact Litronic

82,010

258

24' 11"

37' 0"

26' 2"

45,860

2.81

R 938 Litronic Gen 8

86,530

299

27' 3"

38' 5"

22' 10"

53,510

3.92

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

121

SPEC GUIDE: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

LINK-BELT EXCAVATORS MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

190 X4S

42,100

120

19' 11"

29' 1"

21' 8"

25,200

0.89

220 X4S

49,200

160

21' 10"

31' 11"

22' 4"

31,800

1.18

260 X4S

57,300

177

22' 8"

33' 2"

22' 2"

36,420

1.44

245 X4S LC/ DZ*

57,800

160

21' 10"

31' 9"

26' 2"

31,800

1.09

300 X4S

67,700

253

23' 4"

34' 5"

23' 3"

39,340

1.44

355 X4S

78,600

205

22' 10"

34' 8"

26' 7"

39,340

2.16

370 X4S

83,776

268

24' 2"

36' 1"

23' 8"

51,640

1.59

*Models available as separate LC (long undercarriage) and DZ (dozer blade) configurations will have a slightly higher operating weight in the DZ configuration.

LIUGONG NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

922F

50,300

145

22' 0"

32' 5"

23' 0"

34,283

1.44

925FCR

56,218

156

21' 5"

30' 9"

23' 0"

34,400

1.3

926F

58,400

213

22' 8"

33' 9"

23' 7"

40,240

1.7

924FE

58,422

154

22' 0"

31' 11"

23' 0"

34,283

1.4

933F

75,600

235

23' 11"

34' 11"

23' 10"

45,640

1.8

936F

85,800

314

24' 1"

36' 5"

21' 10"

70,900

2.3

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

SANY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

SY215C

51,919

164

21' 8"

33' 10"

21' 11"

Not available

SY235H

52,911

164

21' 2"

32' 0"

22' 1"

Not available

1.63

SY265C

59,525

190

22' 0"

33' 7"

22' 0"

Not available

SY335C

74,075

284

22' 4"

35' 8"

24' 2"

Not available

SY385C

85,318

314

26' 4"

36' 9"

25' 3"

Not available

122 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING BUCKET CAPACITY FORCE (LBF) (CUBIC YARDS)

EC160E

43,970

148

21' 3"

30' 2"

21' 4"

27,410

1.5

EC210

50,350

154

22' 5"

32' 3"

21' 6"

33,500

2.01

EC230 Electric

52,240

160 kW

22' 5"

32' 3"

21' 6"

33,500

2.24

EC230

53,140

173

22' 5"

32' 3"

21' 6"

33,500

2.24

ECR255

54,950

173

22' 2"

31' 11"

25' 10"

33,600

2.24

EC260

60,200

225

23' 2"

33' 4"

22' 0"

40,690

2.75

EC300

69,480

253

24' 1"

34' 6"

23' 1"

48,100

2.8

ECR355

80,560

253

22' 9"

34' 3"

25' 9"

46,990

3.04

EC370

87,460

339

24' 11"

36' 1"

24' 4"

48,335

3.2

EC400

92,180

339

24' 3"

36' 1"

24' 4"

48,335

3.7

Volvo CE’s ECR255.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

123

SPEC GUIDE: LARGE EXCAVATORS

LargeOVER Excavators 50 TONS

Liebherr’s R 998 SME Litronic.

SPEC GUIDE: LARGE EXCAVATORS

CASE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

CX490D

109,300

362

30' 2"

CX500D

111,800

362

CX750D

158,300

460

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

38' 6"

26' 6"

55,500

2.69

21' 4"

34' 7"

24' 0"

70,400

3.03

21' 4"

42' 11"

23' 1"

68,790

3.62

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

CATERPILLAR MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

350

105,100

414

26' 11"

39' 10"

24' 4"

60,160

4.03

352

111,300

445

26' 11"

39' 10"

24' 10"

60,200

4.32

374

162,900

485

31' 7"

46' 7"

29' 6"

80,720

4.32

395

209,400

543

38' 9"

56' 8"

35' 11"

86,660

8.5

MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

DEVELON MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

DX420LC-7

103,395

345

25' 1"

36' 9"

25' 8"

64,374

2.5

DX490LC-7

121,678

380

25' 7"

38' 11"

25' 10"

67,902

2.8

DX530LC-7

121,805

380

24' 1"

37' 7"

25' 4"

67,902

3.1

DX800LC-7

179,431

539

27' 6"

42' 6"

27' 6"

84,877

5.8

DX1000LC-7

221,280

629

28' 10"

45' 11"

31' 0"

94,710

7.1

HD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

HX480A L

116,095

395

HX520A L

120,704

HX800A L HX1000A L

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

25' 6"

38' 10"

25' 1"

55,556

2.88

395

25' 0"

38' 9"

25' 6"

62,832

3.41

181,000

529

27' 6"

42' 6"

27' 6"

69,666

4.5

220,880

629

28' 10"

45' 11"

31' 0"

88,185

7.06

126 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICAS (LANDCROS) MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

ZX490LC-7H

110,672

388

27' 2"

40' 3"

25' 6"

64,295

2.7

ZX690LC-7H

152,780

465

30' 1"

44' 9"

27' 3"

72,838

3.8

ZX890LC-7H

189,157

510

31' 5"

48' 0"

32' 0"

89,699

4.6

JOHN DEERE CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

510 P-Tier

111,885

367

27' 2"

40' 3"

25' 6"

67,564

3.06

670 P-Tier

154,103

463

30' 0"

44' 8"

27' 4"

72,838

4.04

870 P-Tier

188,716

512

36' 7"

53' 7"

35' 6"

89,699

4.57

KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY U.S.A. MODEL

OPERATING NET POWER WEIGHT (LBS) (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG MAX DUMP GROUND (FT.-IN.) HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

SK520LC-11

121,000

463

25' 6"

38' 11"

25' 0"

72,200

Not available

SK850LC-11

190,700

512

31' 10"

46' 11"

28' 1"

90,600

Not available

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

KOMATSU MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

PC490LC/ LCi-11*

110,220

359

30' 2"

43' 3"

26' 11"

61,730

4.15

PC650LC-11

145,284

436

33' 7"

47' 4"

28' 3"

71,210

4.98

PC900LC-11

204,368

543

29' 8"

46' 8"

30' 1"

90,598

PC1250LC-11

272,600

758

38' 0"

56' 2"

31' 0"

87,520

9.5

*LCi versions include Komatsu’s Intelligent Machine Control.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

127

SPEC GUIDE: LARGE EXCAVATORS

LIEBHERR MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

R 945 Litronic Gen 8

103,730

299

27' 3"

38' 5"

22' 10"

53,510

3.92

R 948 Litronic Gen 8

112,830

381

27' 6"

40' 3"

24' 6"

66,990

4.58

R 952 Litronic Gen 8

129,920

408

29' 1"

42' 4"

26' 7"

66,990

4.84

R 958 Litronic Gen 8

130,425

408

24' 1"

37' 9"

24' 4"

72,610

5.23

R 972 Litronic

170,970

449

34' 5"

49' 1"

33' 0"

70,590

7.19

R 978 SME Litronic

178,570

449

24' 11"

39' 6"

26' 5"

88,130

6.54

R 992 Litronic

205,250

571

37' 7"

53' 10"

36' 5"

109,000

8.9

R 998 SME Litronic

223,770

571

25' 5"

41' 6"

28' 5"

113,750

9.42

LINK-BELT EXCAVATORS MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

490 X4

109,800

362

27' 4"

40' 4"

25' 10''

55,500

2.52

750 X4

158,300

512

27' 7"

42' 0"

25' 7''

68,790

3.84

LIUGONG NORTH AMERICA MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

952F

112,436

400

24' 8"

38' 3"

24' 3"

70,820

3.4

995F

209,000

589

23' 7"

39' 11"

26' 2"

111,510

7.3

MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

SY500H

120,152

399

25' 3"

39' 5"

25' 1"

Not available

SY750H

173,063

524

24' 4"

39' 8"

23' 6"

Not available

SANY

128 heavyequipmentguide.ca | EXCAVATORS 2026

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MODEL

OPERATING WEIGHT (LBS)

NET POWER (HP)

MAX DIG DEPTH (FT.-IN.)

MAX REACH ALONG GROUND (FT.-IN.)

MAX DUMP HEIGHT (FT.-IN.)

BUCKET DIGGING FORCE (LBF)

BUCKET CAPACITY (CUBIC YARDS)

EC500

116,400

418

25' 8"

39' 2"

23' 0"

56,471

4.3

EC560

125,640

455

25' 3"

40' 9"

23' 6"

62,315

EC750E

165,126

526

27' 0"

43' 1"

23' 0"

71,940

8.5

EC950F

207,500

602

29' 4"

45' 1"

26' 7"

76,660

KOBELCO’s SK520LC-11.

EXCAVATORS 2026 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

129

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