OPEI News: Skid-Steer and Construction Equipment Update

A simple stroll through the outdoor component of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute EXPO 2000 in Louisville, Ky., July 19-21, demonstrated the influence of skid-steer equipment in the green industry. As trenchers demonstrated their digging strength at one booth, compact utility loaders fit through makeshift fences in another, while still others pitted their products against the competition for a true test of endurance.

Overall, skid-steer exhibitors had a variety of new products and updates at the show in Louisville. Take a look at some of the skid-steer and construction highlights from the show:

ASV:

During the ASV press conference, Don Powell, sales manager, ASV, Grand Rapids, Minn., spoke of the “skid-steer evolution,” particularly the move toward rubber tracks in the industry. “The industry is heading in the rubber track direction,” he identified. “Rubber tracks open up the possibilities.” 
 In accordance with this trend, ASV featured the RC-50 All-Surface Loader at the show, which includes ASV’s patented rubber-tracked undercarriage system. According to an RC-50 press release, the unit can handle tasks as well as any mid-sized skid-steer loader, but the rubber undercarriage also protects sensitive terrain.

Powell said the RC-50 has allowed ASV to experience success with a larger dealer customer base, and that the company has added 35 to 40 dealers in the six months following the initial RC-50 introduction. And, despite the unstable economy, Powell said ASV was enjoying continued success. “We haven’t really slowed down this year,” he said.

To view the ASV RC-50 in action, please click here: ASV RC-50.

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Caterpillar:

As first-time exhibitors as the OPEI Expo, Caterpillar representatives weren’t exactly sure what to expect on the trade show floor. But based on the positive feedback and success at the indoor and outdoor booths, the consensus was to return next year, said Sharon Holling, trade press relations for the Peoria-Ill.-based company. “From what I’ve heard from our product crew, we’ll definitely be back,” she said.

Caterpillar took the opportunity to attend this year’s event in Louisville because of expanding markets and the clear demand for skid-steer and construction equipment in the green industry, she continued. “We’re just now starting to focus seriously on the landscaping market, and we’ve been in the skid-steer and compact equipment business for about three and a half years now.” Holling said that the introduction of the 247 and 257 Multi-Terrain loaders with the ASV rubber-tracked undercarriage has allowed the company to infiltrate the landscape market.

“Our goal is to expand the awareness of our equipment,” she said. “We’re ready to be a contender, and we’ll be a presence at more shows.”

JCB:

JCB highlighted its 8060 Midi-Excavator at this year’s OPEI show, which made its initial debut at the ConExpo show, Las Vegas, Nev., in March 2002. This product has been in production since mid-2001 in the United Kingdom for European markets, but the OPEI marks its North American launch, noted Jean Hiller, press relations manager, JCB, Pooler, Ga.

As a midi-excavator, the 8060’s capabilities are classified between those of compact utility loaders and full-size skid-steer loaders, Hiller said. The 8060 can accommodate several attachments, thus expanding the machine’s versatility, said Rick Piper, product manager, attachments. “In 2005, we expect 50 percent of excavators to be used for applications other than digging,” he identified.

To view the JCB 8060 Midi-Excavator in action, please click here: JCB 8060.

NOTE: You will need Real Player or a related program to view this video. Click here to download Real Player for free:

Mertz:

The Boxer Mini-Skid Steer was the primary feature of Mertz’s outdoor booth, and company representatives took the opportunity to demonstrate the unit’s versatility, whether fitting within small fence openings or drilling 36-inch-wide holes for tree-planting applications. The Boxer, available with a 9.5-inch or 7-inch track, was initially introduced in September 2001, said Steven Ballinger, executive vice president and general manager for the Ponca City, Okla.-based company.

“The Boxer offers the only variable-width track system,” he said. The tracks are hydraulically-adjustable, and vary between a narrow 32.5 inches to 43.5 inches.

And, since the Boxer can accommodate other manufacturers’ attachments, the unit offers versatility. This feature also positions the Boxer for the rental market, Ballinger added.

New Holland:

As a testament to the industry’s persistence through a lagging economy, New Holland will be introducing several new products in the next six months to expand on their current line of skid-steer and compact utility loaders, said Jeff Clifford, product manager, New Holland, Carol Stream, Ill.

As a new feature of certain skid-steer equipment, the Total Control System (TCS) allows operators to more efficiently handle controls and work through obstacles, Clifford explained. “It allows you to switch from hand/foot controls to all-hand controls, and vice versa,” he said. “Also, the TCS includes a ‘bucket shaker,’ which operates at two shakes per second, breaking up the soil if you hit a hardpan and facilitating digging.”

Other new products for New Holland will include a new backhoe in Spring 2003, the LV60 tractor loader, available in the first quarter of 2003 and a hydraulic PTO, also available in the first quarter of next year. Additionally, New Holland is debuting a quick-attach plate for the skid-steer loaders, as well as a quick-coupler for the backhoe and tractor loader.

Polaris:

Also in its first year at EXPO, Medina, Minn.-based Polaris took the opportunity in Louisville to expand its dealer base, as well as showcase its new products, said Steve Rudolph, account manager, Karwoski & Courage Public Relations, Minneapolis, Minn. “We hope to have our dealer network built by the end of the year,” he said, adding that the company has been selective as to create the most effective dealer base.

Polaris also debuted the UTV 1500, the newest vehicle in the Polaris Professional Series. With amenities such as a three-person seat and optional ROPS, Rudolph said this vehicle’s safety features will enable the product to establish a unique niche.

Rudolph mentioned that Polaris’ technology in other areas of the company, such as watercraft and ATVs, has been incorporated into the Professional Series of vehicles, placing them on the cutting edge of the industry. To demonstrate this idea, Polaris set up an industry “competition” at its outdoor booth, pitting the Professional Series vehicles against similar industry equipment and comparing their performance in a mud pit, over curbs and other obstacles.

The author is Assistant Editor – Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at kmohn@lawnandlandscape.com.