The Coolest and Most Creative Compact Equipment of the Year
Exploration is the engine that drives innovation, so let’s go exploring. Let’s search through a year’s worth of creative ideas in the off-highway equipment industry and see if we can benchmark the innovative exploration of the American machine market. Over the last 12 months, global manufactures from Case to Kubota have released compact machines that have set new standards for power, versatility, efficiency and design. Our editors have traveled across the country to meet these manufacturers, operate their new products and give detailed reports and opinions both in print and on our website (stg-httpscompactequipcom-stage.kinsta.cloud). We sifted through the hundreds of models and brands released in 2017 and picked 25 units that set the new bar for innovation. With this article, we salute those companies that have changed the commercial equipment market over the last year with their unique, interesting and innovative machines, engines and technologies.
Perkins SmartCap
Diesel designers at Perkins released a metric ton of cool new engine products at CONEXPO-CON/AGG (a new aftermarket online shopping platform and some excellent, application-focused Syncro engines), but it’s most impressive product was the Perkins SmartCap. Designed to replace the oil filler cap on your off-highway diesel engine, this low-cost connectivity solution will allow end-users to connect their mobile device to their engine via the free Perkins My Engine app, allowing them to receive useful engine data such as engine running hours. The Perkins My Engine app in conjunction with the Perkins SmartCap will, for the first time, enable Perkins customers to easily track use of their engine and servicing requirements, locate Perkins distributors, see parts info and receive service updates. For more info, visit perkins.com.
Kubota Unveils 200-hp Plus Diesel
The world’s biggest engine manufacturer of compact diesel engines below 100 hp, Kubota is venturing into bigger power bandwidths. At CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Kubota showcased its first model in its new Kubota 09 Series — the 5-liter V5009. While mass production of the V5009 will not begin until 2020, Kubota plans to have all engineering and supply work completed ahead of the upcoming Stage 5 emissions standards. The four-cylinder V5009 will have an output of 157.3 kW and aftertreatment devices including a diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction system. It will also feature a variety of power take off options for different accessories such as hydraulic pumps, ultimately expanding Kubota’s range offerings from 100 to 200 hp. For more info, visit kubotaengine.com.
Want more innovation? We have plenty more Innovative Iron Awards here.
