Photo: MecalecMecalac recently announced its AS1600 swing loader.
With the ability to pivot its bucket 90 degrees to either side, the company says the AS1600 represents a departure from traditional wheel loader design for superior performance on any jobsite.
Mecalac says a rigid frame and 4-wheel steering provide productivity and stability while driving, operating and unloading in virtually any condition or terrain. The company says the AS1600 provides space management, requiring only half the space of conventional loaders for tasks such as loading trucks or discharging materials into trenches with a standard 2.1-cubic-yard bucket.
“Mecalac understands that on today’s crowded jobsites, space management is vital for safety, productivity and efficiency,” says Peter Bigwood, general manager for Mecalac North America. “Contractors are trying to fit all the equipment, vehicles and personnel they need into a very limited space, leading to congestion and sometimes dangerous conditions. Our engineers are always looking to optimize equipment utilization, providing the solutions that let operators do things that they cannot accomplish with other machines.”
The company says the key to the 12-ton AS1600’s appeal is its design, giving it the ability to swivel its fully loaded bucket 90 degrees on either side. Mecalac says this opens up a number of opportunities to approach jobs differently and transforms space management and logistics.
The company says the equipment features three steering options — 2-wheel, 4-wheel and crab, and operators can simultaneously drive, pivot and maneuver. After loading material, operators can simply back up, rotating the bucket in the process. Mecalac says materials can then be discharged over the side while the machine reverses along the trench.
The company says the AS1600 also provides increased stability over traditional articulated loaders. Mecalac adds that an automatically engaging rear axle allows operators to pivot the bucket up to 90 degrees in either direction without reducing overall stability.
The company says this is a significant improvement over traditional equipment that can become unstable with only a 45-degree turn. Mecalac says stability combined with industry-leading maneuverability results in a small turning radius to maximize mobility in even the most confined spaces.
“Every aspect of the AS1600’s design focuses on a real-world application to increase efficiency by reducing unnecessary movement and optimizing the use of space,” says Bigwood. “That is what sets Mecalac apart from our competitors. Each design starts with a question — how can we make this safer, faster or easier for the operators in the cab?”
The company says bucket capacities range from 2.1-3.3 cubic yards to give contractors options for projects of all sizes.
Makita USA launches new self-propelled commercial mower, articulating pole hedge trimmer
Makita recently launched the new 18V X2 LXT brushless cordless 21” self-propelled commercial lawn mower.
Photo: MakitaThe company says this commercial mower is powered by two 18V LXT batteries and a Makita-built brushless mower. Makita says users have the option to insert two additional LXT batteries for extended run time; when the first two batteries need a charge, users can turn the battery-selector switch to the second pair of batteries and keep working. When using four 18V LXT 5.0Ah batteries, the company says the mower will cut non-stop for up to two miles.
Makita says a commercial-grade aluminum deck resists corrosion and is durable for demanding applications, without extra weight, and the self-propel function makes mowing effortless with variable speeds from 1.5 MPH to 3 MPH. The company adds that this lawn mower offers mulching, bagging and rear-discharge options for debris.
Makita says other features include IPX4 weather-resistant construction and a single lever cutting height adjustment of optional cutting heights between 1-1/4” – 4”. The company says the XML09 has durable handles for loading on and off trucks, and the exclusive blade design reduces drag and maintains speed when cutting.
For added durability, Makita says its Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) is a series of integrated seals engineered to channel away dust and water for increased durability.
The company says that quiet mode reduces noise by providing constant speed control. Makita says quiet mode also sets RPMs to a certain speed, so there are no sudden increases in speed and the noise from the mower remains at a constant level.
Additionally, Makita also launched the new 18V LXT brushless cordless 20” articulating pole hedge trimmer (XNU01) and 18V LXT brushless cordless 24” pole hedge trimmer (XNU02).
Photo: MakitaThe company says these hedge trimmers feature zero emissions, lower noise, reduced maintenance and no pull starts.
“The addition of the XNU01 and XNU02 shafted hedge trimmers allows Makita to offer a complete gas-replacement portfolio to convert a commercial landscaper’s handheld equipment to cordless,” says Romique Talton, senior product manager – outdoor power equipment and accessories.
The company says the XNU01 is ideal for the trimming of overhead and low-lying hedges, and it features a 20” dual-action double-sided shear blade. Makita adds that an articulating blade provides six angle settings for 115-degrees of working range.
The company says the BL brushless motor delivers up to 4,400 SPM for faster cutting, and it has three speed options (2,000/3,600/4,400). Makita says users can enjoy 80 minutes of run time with a fully charged 18V LXT 5.0Ah battery.
The company says both trimmers feature a commercial-duty gear case engineered for improved durability.
John Deere introduces new E-series cold planner attachments
John Deere unveiled its new CP18E, CP24E and CP30E cold planers.
The company says these new attachments help operators who work on street repairs, leveling uneven pavement, texturing pavement and cleaning around larger milling machines.
John Deere says the CP18E, CP24E and CP30E are compatible with John Deere skid steers and compact track loaders, as well as equipment offered by competitors.
“The E-Series cold planers are new solutions for our customers seeking more efficiency on the job by enabling all cold planer functions to be controlled from within the machine’s cab,” says Jessica Hill, program manager, global attachments at John Deere. “The attachments deliver value to our customers through increased productivity and uptime, while maintaining low daily operating costs.”
Photo: John DeereThe company says the CP18E, CP24E and CP30E cold planer attachments are equipped with a heavy-duty planetary drive system that delivers high torque speed for the toughest and most demanding jobs.
The company adds that the planetary drive system is a wheel drive, which allows the operator to remove the side plate when the attachment works next to a curb, making it ideal for use in tight spaces.
John Deere says through complete in-cab controls, operators can easily maneuver the cold planer depth, tilt and side shift to increase overall productivity. With rear spoil clearance that reaches up to 9 inches, the company says operators can be more productive on the job by minimizing material that is pushed back into the cut.
The company says operators can expect an increase in uptime with the visible case pressure reservoir that was added to the three models to provide a visual indicator of high case pressure.
If there is high case pressure, the company says the reservoir will fill with oil and will give an indication to shut down the system so operators can spend less time waiting for maintenance and more time working.
Additionally, John Deere says the case pressure reservoir helps reduce contamination to the machine’s hydraulic system to maintain machine health and longevity overall.
The company says the high-capacity gearbox on the CP18E, CP24E and CP30E cold planers includes a drain-and-refill plug for clean and easy maintenance fills, using only a funnel to keep daily operating costs low.
John Deere says oil will need to be replaced after 1,000 hours or on an annual basis, and operators should reference the operator’s manual for appropriate procedure and maintenance requirements.
Walker Mowers rolls out 48-inch multi-deck mower
Walker Mowers introduced the 48-inch multi-deck mower that the company says is designed to be a single mower solution for both manicured turf and rougher field-type grass.
The company says the multi-deck allows users to effectively match the deck configuration to varying property types and grass conditions throughout the growing season.
Photo: Walker MowerWhether collecting thick, spring turf or side-discharging dryer season grass, Walker says the multi-deck is an easy and cost-effective solution for your unique needs.
The company says a key feature of this mower is the belt drive design, which Walker says delivers reduced noise, improved durability and common rotating blades that allow both collection and side-discharge mowing.
Walker says the unique belt tensioner mechanism utilizes a gas spring dampener for increased belt life, and also provides belt changes without requiring tools.
Combined with Walker’s Grass Handling System (GHS), the company says it makes grass collection fast, easy and enjoyable. To convert the deck from collection to discharge, the company says to remove the end-cap from the deck housing and install the collection chute baffle and side discharge chute.
Walker says the underside of the deck housing and blades are accessible with the tilt-up function. The company adds that the inset position of the left caster tire is aligned with the left mowing blade to optimize cut quality while also enhancing trimming performance on the left side of the mowing deck.
Walker says the multi-deck uses Walker’s torsion-flex carrier frame to freely articulate and follow ground contour for a beautiful cut.
