Powered flexibility

If the goal is one item of equipment that does everything, and well, then some manufacturers seem to be pursuing it.

One new example is from Vermeer in the US, whose S600TX rubber tracked mini-skid steer (right) has a universal attachment mounting plate that fits a wide range of hydraulically powered attachments. Power is from a 18,6 kW engine, either a Kohler Command Pro petrol or a Kubota D905 diesel.

Its 908 mm width makes it ideal for getting into tight corners and provides good stability, and 178 or 229 mm track widths make for low ground pressures.

Another new mini skid-steer comes from Compact Power in South Carolina, US. Its Boxer 530X, updated from the TL-224-34, will carry any of 50 attachments. Power flows from a two-pump 207 bar, 55 l/min hydraulic system, driven by a 22,4 kW Kohler Command Pro air-cooled petrol engine. An adjustable undercarriage width from 890 to 1100 mm gives the machine a narrow width and makes it a stable platform. Track width of 230 mm produces a ground loading pressure of 22,8 kPa. As to loading performance, it tips up to 750 kg at 1524 mm of height.

At the same size as the 530X but 100 kg heavier is Compact's new Boxer 526 DX, updated from the TD-327. It accepts the same set of attachments as the 530X, and its 19,5 kW liquid-cooled, Perkins diesel engine provides 3,5 kW less power. However, its greater (engine) weight gives it a 205 kg greater tip capacity of 955 kg.

Ingersoll Rand's Bobcat has increased the flexibility of its compact Toolcat 5600 utility vehicle. It has a new hydraulic system and new lift arm, tilt linkage and lift and tilt cylinders to better accommodate the 26 attachments available.

New, too, is the 41,8 kW turbo version of its Kubota diesel engine, which adds 7,5 kW to power the model's 4-wheel drive and all-wheel steering for speeds of up to 29 km/h. Box load capacity is 905 kg.