Case (Construction Equipment) was one of droves of exhibitors at Intermat – the sprawling equipment exhibition in Paris.
It was held last week; it ran from April 23 to 28.
There, Case celebrated 60 years of wheel loader production by putting its current G Series machines front and centre. It showed a couple of new, specialist variants – namely the 821G and 921G ‘Waste Handler’ – for the first time at the event.
While the ‘Waste Handler’ versions are not of immediate interest to agricultural contractors or larger farmers, other G Series machines might well be.
The G Series line-up was first seen back in 2016; it encompasses seven models (142-347hp).
Each comes as standard with a four-speed powershift transmission; an optional five-speed unit (with a lock-up torque converter) is available on the 721G, 821G and 921G – with a top whack of 40kph (25mph).
The 521G (pictured below) is the smallest machine in the range.
All loaders in the G Series line-up, right up to the 1121G, are powered by FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies) engines. The Irish agent is Dublin-based Jim Macadam Equipment.
Komatsu backhoe
Also new at Intermat (2018) was Komatsu’s latest WB93-R backhoe loader (pictured below). This new model is not available yet; expect to see it land in the latter half of this year.
Image source: www.mentornewsroom.se
Another bigger backhoe loader is also expected; details of it will likely emerge later this year too.
Outwardly, the new machines will be recognisable by their revamped appearance – with a black (instead of yellow) hood, black fender and black axles.
Excavating at a ‘stretch’
Also at Intermat (2018) was Hitachi’s latest ZX210LC-6 ‘telescopic arm’ excavator (pictured below). It’s actually designed for ‘below-ground’ (deep) construction projects, so don’t expect to see your local drainage contractor running one.
Nevertheless, it does make for an eye-catching picture. It’s capable of digging to a depth of 21m.
The machine can even be configured with a sliding cab; it’s located 0.96m further forward than on a standard machine. It can also slide forward by an additional 1.3m – enabling you to peer right down into a deep, dark hole.