Leader as 'compact' specialist

Compact construction equipment is attracting strong interest again, thanks in part to increasing urbanization and upgrading (ICT) infrastructure. Fifty years ago, this was already the case in Japan, and the then half-century-old Yanmar came up with a solution that was as simple as it was future-proof: the mini-excavator.

In the 1960s, Yanmar engineers were looking for a way to save on labor and work with machines in limited inner-city space. It became the YNB300,a mini excavator that, looking back, was a revolutionary development. A development that, by the way, has not come to an end half a century later, as innovations make the mini excavator ever more powerful, faster, quieter, more comfortable, not to mention more economical in fuel consumption and emissions. These are today the most important requirements we have for machines to work in urban areas. With the latest generations of compact equipment, Yanmar is increasingly meeting those demands. 

Extensive range of machines

The extensive range includes more than thirty machines, most of which are produced for the European market in two factories. The one at Yanmar CEE's headquarters in northern France's Saint-Dizier has been operating for 30 years, and years later the factory in southern Germany's Crailsheim was added. That capacity expansion was the result of Yanmar's acquisition of Terex Compact Germany GmbH in 2016. The program includes mini crawler excavators from 1 to 12 tons, with the newcomers being the ViO12-2A, ViO23-6, ViO26-6, ViO27-6, ViO33-6, ViO38-6, ViO80-2PB and the SV60, SV85 and SV120. In addition, the program includes about seven compact wheel loaders, with the V65, V80, V70S, V100 and V120 as newcomers. The heavier line of tire excavators has been completely revamped as we see v the B75W, B95W and B110W. Finally, Yanmar is also building five compact dumpers, with the C30R-3 and C30R-3TV being the first to be renewed.

At equipment trade fair Bauma, Yanmar showed with the SV60, what it has in mind with the latest generation of machines.

Zero Tail Swing

To ensure safe and damage-free work in tight spaces, it is helpful when an excavator does not exceed the maximum width of the tracked undercarriage with its ballast weight when turning. From that vision, Yanmar engineers conceived the ViO50, the world's first "Zero Tail Swing" mini excavator (ZTS), in 1993. The short turning radius is now unimaginable in the equipment industry and just about all competitors have adopted the idea from compact equipment specialist Yanmar.

Compact powerhouses

At last spring's Bauma Munich equipment trade fair, Yanmar showed with the SV60, what it has in mind with the latest generation of machines. Caterpillar mini excavator SV60 was designed "to meet the highest demands for comfort and stability," trade visitors were told. Thus, the cab of this 5700 kg machine has the volume that until recently was reserved for the heavier category of machines from 8 to 10 tons. In that cabin we find a comfortable, air-sprung seat with ergonomically placed controls (joysticks) and switches, not to mention a monitor on which, among other things, the image of the reversing camera can be seen. The operator comfort of a modern mini excavator is moving more and more toward that of a van driver. Another special feature is the ViPPS hydraulic system developed by Yanmar. To achieve the optimum combination of power, speed, flow and balance, the flow of the various pumps can be combined. The result is very smooth operation, even in simultaneous operations and thus also while driving.

Also at the wheel loaders

A similar development to the modern mini excavator is also seen in compact wheel loaders. Take the V65 with its articulated steering. Thanks to its 40-degree steering angle, it is easy to maneuver. Even at the maximum steering angle, the operator can approach the loading/unloading site in a straight line. Because the oscillating rear axle has a turning angle of 12 degrees, all four wheels stay neatly on the ground in rough terrain. Together with the compact dimensions, this provides great maneuverability. The powerful engine, plus the hydrostatic transmission, has made it an efficient and reliable tool for gardeners, farmers and in the construction and GW sectors.