Mecalac previews backhoe loader with unique rotating cab

Mecalac has added a spin to the classic backhoe loader. The newly designed Revo990 features a rotating cab allowing operators to easily switch between loading and digging without stopping the flow of work. 

The Revo990 will be introduced at bauma Munich this April. This major event for the construction industry will be an opportunity for visitors to get a sneak preview of the machine. 

Created in the 1950s, all modern backhoe loaders are built on the design of a traditional tractor fitted with a loader arm at the front and an excavator boom at the rear. This design forces the operator who sits in-between to turn around to switch from one function to the other, which often causes significant stoppages on a job site. 

On a traditional backhoe loader, operators must repeat a long sequence of tasks just to turn the seat. They cannot drive the machine in digging mode, and, when facing the excavator end, operators have no access to the steering wheel and pedals. Direct visibility to the tool is also hindered when using the boom angled to the side.

The rotating cab addresses these disadvantages.

The world's first backhoe loader with a revolving design

Mecalac redesigned the architecture of the machine to shift the burden from the operator onto the technology. The design allows the operator and the cockpit to work together to transition between functions in just a few seconds. 

Mecalac notes that the machine was built with the operator's comfort as the top priority. The revolving feature allows the operator to maintain good posture when swinging from one function to the other, which minimizes the risk of back and neck strain. 

The rotating cab offers a better view of job sites and ongoing operations. Unlike traditional solutions with limited two-way visibility, the Revo990 provides a wide array of cab positions, allowing for clear sightlines in every direction. 

Operators can now drive in both modes, regardless of cab position. With the new model, operators can dig farther along the trench without needing to stop and turn the seat and switch to loader mode or to push themselves forward awkwardly. It's even possible to manoeuvre the cab at a 90-degree angle, making it easy to use for tasks alongside roads, like ditch cleaning.