Heavy Equipment Guide's 2022 Top Introductions

Focus on the operator experience and emissions reduction were dominant themes throughout 2022. As contractors adjust to a shrinking skilled workforce and the unfolding reality of emissions reduction regulations throughout the world, manufacturers stepped up with equipment and technology introductions to address these pain points – in an impressive way.

From Bobcat's fully electric CTL, to monitoring technology for Volvo's compact electric machines, to the rapid expansion of Liebherr's Unplugged line, and a fuel-efficiency update to a classic Cat excavator, options for contractors to meet low- or no-emissions requirements are expanding.

Manufacturers also stepped up to deliver new technology and updates that provide an injection of confidence to novice operators and an uptick in productivity to experienced hands. Rototilt introduced new joysticks that make it easier for female operators with smaller hands to customize their set-up for more comfortable operation, Komatsu reintroduced its machine control technology with new features, and Topcon's MC-Mobile machine control system makes adding technology to compact machines easier than ever. 

Turn the page to check out these top introductions – and the rest of our picks for 2022.

Bobcat Company

The T7X all-electric compact track loader, first previewed as a prototype at CONEXPO 2020, shipped to its first customer, Sunbelt Rentals, in 2022. As a world-first in its category, the T7X impresses with instant power and silent operation, but its innovation goes beyond swapping the diesel engine with a battery. All hydraulic functions of the T7X have been replaced with electric actuation, delivering a machine that is as impressive for what it does have, as what it does not - there are virtually no fluids. Bobcat is now rolling out its own line of electric attachments for the T7X, and all standard non-hydraulic attachments are compatible.

CASE Construction Equipment

The Minotaur compact dozer loader is more than just a compact track loader with a blade on the front - this beast has been engineered from the ground up with a chassis-integrated C-frame to deliver true dozer performance in a CTL package providing multiple equipment solutions in a single compact machine. Like its mythical namesake, this combination of two creatures is designed to deliver the best of both – without compromise – to job sites.

In 2022, CASE didn't stop with the Minotaur – it also relaunched its full-size excavator line with the E Series. As part of a trend we saw throughout 2022, CASE focused on the operator experience at a time when attracting and retaining skilled operators is vital. The E Series consists of seven machines including two in new size classes for CASE. Its largest model is the all-new 78,600-pound CX365E SR – a short radius machine with minimum tail swing. The other new model, the CX190E, falls into the 41,000-pound range.

JLG Industries

Rotating telehandlers, historically more popular in Europe, have become a machine to watch out for in North America. JLG's entry into the North American market with three rotating telehandler models in 2022 is indicative of the growing interest from a range of industries, particularly in urban working environments where repositioning a machine is difficult. With the R11100, JLG has delivered its highest reaching telehandler ever, and the 3-in-1 capability of all three models – as a traditional telehandler, a mobile elevating work platform, and a rough-terrain crane – makes the rotating telehandler an appealing option for tight job sites that require big reach.

John Deere Construction & Forestry

John Deere's performance tiering strategy for wheel loaders and excavators is a way for contractors to easily identify the machine that best suits their needs – from simple, reliable machines in the G-tier that can work hard but don't have advanced features, all the way to the most technologically tricked out equipment in the X-tier. The middle option P-tier machines that John Deere introduced in 2022 are indicative of what many end users ultimately want in today's environment – a machine designed for reliable, high production with some additional technology and comfort features that improve operator confidence, whether it's situational awareness technology, or optional grade control features. John Deere introduced several large wheel loaders and excavators under the P-tier umbrella this year and will continue to roll out the line into 2023.

Doosan Infracore North America

Big changes are on the horizon for Doosan Infracore North America in 2023 with an anticipated rebrand coming early in the year. Ahead of this rebranding, Doosan entered a new product category in 2022 with the introduction of the DD100 dozer – a 10-metric-ton machine that sits in the 140-hp and under category. Doosan has focused on delivering a power-to-weight ratio that maximizes power to the ground and tractive effort. The dozer is the first in what will be a Doosan dozer line for North America – a 13-metric-ton machine is coming in 2023.

In 2022, Doosan also completely relaunched its mini excavators delivering an all-new Doosan design with its -7 lineup covering 2.7 metric tons up to approximately 9 metric tons. This new lineup now features common controls with large Doosan crawlers and wheeled excavators and includes models with zero and reduced tail swing.

Caterpillar

While "don't mess with the classics" might be a rule of thumb in some arenas, when it comes to construction equipment, updates to classic models give operators the machine they know with the benefit of the latest features and capability. In 2022, Caterpillar updated two classic excavator models. With its new 350, Cat focused on reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while still delivering the powerful digging that operators expect from the 350.

With the updated 336, Caterpillar has delivered rugged reliability for operators working in extreme hot and cold conditions, from 52 degrees C down to -18, in addition to high elevations, while reducing maintenance costs. This machine is designed to get straight to work with standard technologies that include Cat Payload on-board weighing, Grade Assist for maintaining grade, and 2D Grade with depth and slope indication.

BOMAG

With the new BM 2200/65, BOMAG delivers a large milling machine with a compact design to boost capability in tight-radius applications. The company also zeroed in on operators' needs with this milling machine by simplifying control with technology, such as BOMAG Easy Cut to automatically regulate the height of the rear drive, and BOMAG Easy Level which clearly displays grade and slope settings and provides operators with the ability to quickly change settings. The stepless platform side-shift of up to 7.8 inches gives the operator visibility to the right cutting edge and side plate allowing them to hold the milling line.

Liebherr

Liebherr has grown its Unplugged line with six new machines across multiple categories, including two piling rigs, two drill rigs, and two crawler cranes. The zero-emissions technology has already been proven on job sites in London, Paris, and Oslo and is a game changer for city operations delivering low noise levels enabling it to work at night in urban environments. 

Liebherr's new generation of wheel loaders pushes power and performance to a new level over the previous models with up to 20 percent greater power and breakout force. A new lift arm design has optimized z-bar kinematics, and improved working hydraulics are ready to deliver performance in earthmoving, recycling, and log handling applications.

SBM Mineral Processing

SBM's new plug-in hybrid REMAX 600 mobile crushing plant was hard to miss at bauma 2022. With this 600 tph plant, SBM focused on delivering multiple power options, connectivity, and a sharp new design that will turn heads on the job site. SBM's research team is working with a group of interdisciplinary teams from the Leoben Chair of Mineral Processing to develop AI control for the REMAX 600 – currently in testing, with expected availability in 2024.

Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo upped the capability of its L20 and L25 wheel loaders with greater travel speed, a new linkage option, and a new electric fleet management app in 2022, continuing its commitment to delivering a full zero-emission compact lineup.

Volvo made a big update to its L350H wheel loader in 2022 giving the machine a more responsive hydraulics system, new lift and tilt cylinders, and an increased hydraulic working pressure that delivers faster work cycles and higher productivity. The upgraded driveline features new Volvo axles and an all-new Volvo transmission.

Rototilt

Operating a tiltrotator can be a handful – particularly for female operators who typically have smaller hands. With that in mind, Rototilt has introduced all-new multi-way adjustable joysticks as part of its larger Rototilt Control launch, putting more comfortable control in the hands of operators with this inclusive new design. With Rototilt Control, the company has also added greater connectivity and management through a new app, and has increased fuel efficiency of its tiltrotators.

Kleemann

Kleemann's MOBICAT MC 110(i) EVO2 jaw crusher and MOBICONE MCO 90(i) EVO2 cone crusher now feature direct drive provided via a reliable fluid coupling for high fuel efficiency.

With this new drive concept, the speed of the cooler fan and cooling capacity are controlled automatically, reducing noise and dust penetration with the reduction in moved cooler air.

GOMACO

GOMACO has upped the technology on its pavers with a new vibrator monitoring system, new self-programming valves, and Navigator display with wi-fi capability. The paver can now communicate with other machines via the Navigator display. Machine-to-machine communication enables the equipment to fine-tune its operation to match the real-time conditions on the job site. For example, if the concrete placed in front of the paver is too low, the paver can tell the placer/spreader to raise its strike-off and allow more concrete to be placed.

Prinoth

Grades of up to 45 degrees, rough terrain, and sensitive ground conditions are no challenge for Prinoth's Raptor 100 remote-controlled compact carrier. With this cabless machine, Prinoth puts control in the hands of the operator, up to 100 feet from the working area – delivering a safe solution for mulching, green space maintenance, forestry work, and steep ground applications.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas

Hitachi opened a new chapter in its North American business in 2022. After the end of its licensing and manufacturing agreement with John Deere it introduced three new excavator models including the ZX210LC-6 HP full-size excavator and the ZX26U-5N and ZX50U-5N mini excavators. The mini excavators are simple to operate and have a durable design, and the ZX210LC-6 HP full-size excavator delivers strength in lifting operations with its heavy boom and counterweight, while also managing delicate bucket maneuvering.

Komatsu

Komatsu has advanced its iMC platform for mid- to large-size excavators with the introduction of iMC 2.0, adding auto-tilt bucket control and bucket angle hold control. This gives operators even more finesse to reach grade quickly and accurately for footing excavation, trenching, and slope work. Komatsu's iMC 2.0 delivers precision assistance for inexperienced operators and enables experienced operators to get jobs done with even greater speed and accuracy.

Dynapac

Dynapac is delivering new pavers and screeds with a focus on reduced learning time and simplified operation with features such as FeedAssist, CleanAssist, ImpactAssist, DiveStop, and LightAssist. Dynapac's new highway-class pavers and screeds for North America include 8- and 10-foot tracked and wheeled pavers, plus 8- to 16-foot and 10- to 20-foot screeds. 

AUSA

Site dumpers are already an ideal machine for urban working environments, delivering maneuverability and a small footprint – so electrifying these machines is a natural fit. AUSA's first electric site dumper, the D151AEG, has a 1,500 kg payload capacity. AUSA has also introduced its first electric telehandler, the T164E, which has a 1,600 kg payload capacity and maximum lifting height of four metres.

Topcon Positioning Systems

Topcon's MC-Mobile grade control solution for compact earthmoving equipment combines surveying and machine control technology to increase efficiency and is packed with full-size machine control performance. The displays and components can be moved between pieces of equipment and from the grade checking/layout rover pole to the machine and back, upping the value proposition for adding advanced technology to smaller equipment.

Superior Industries

Superior's massive new TeleStacker conveyor extends 210 feet and is capable of building 425,000-ton stockpiles. PilePro automation automatically controls the stacker while building partially or fully desegregated stockpiles. Delivering pile volume reporting, maintenance triggers, and diagnostics makes this telescoping stacking conveyor easy to use for operators.

Cummins

Cummins is pushing forward the transition to alternative fuel options with its new fuel-agnostic platforming program where its B, L, and X Series will be available in options powered by diesel, hydrogen, or natural gas. Whichever fuel option end users adopt, these engines will all have common bases and parts with optimization above the head gasket for each fuel type. This will allow the end-user to pick the fuel option that makes the most sense for each application without sacrificing the convenience of parts commonality – and simplifying training for technicians.

McCloskey International

McCloskey has delivered an update for its big J4 jaw crusher which is designed to excel in hard rock work. The J4 offers oversize recirculation for a higher end-product specification and is easily moved between job sites with remote control tracks. End users can choose between either a two-deck or one-and-a-half deck system. The two-deck option delivers an extra product spec over the mid-size product conveyor.