Seven Right-Sized Diggers from the Japanese Equipment Innovator
Takeuchi manufacturing began in 1963 and has been a pioneer in the compact equipment industry ever since. Takeuchi developed one of the world’s first compact excavators in 1970, and the company’s innovation continued again in the mid-‘80s with the introduction of one of the first compact track loaders.
Today, Takeuchi is a world leader in the manufacture and service of compact construction equipment, including track loaders, wheel loaders, conventional excavators and zero tail swing excavators. According to Takeuchi, its compact excavators are designed and engineered with power, strength and maneuverability and provide a high level of quality and performance. Takeuchi products are the result of extensive research, testing and refinement, says the company.
The company’s compact excavators come with a two-year, 2,000-hour full machine warranty as standard equipment. An optional P3 Power Protection Plan offers selectable coverage levels for powertrain, powertrain and hydraulics or no-deductible full machine plans.
Takeuchi compact excavators feature cast iron, wrap-around counterweights that protect the engine compartment from damage when working in confined areas, and a tilt-up operator’s platform combined with a fully opening engine compartment offers quick service access on most models. An automatic fuel bleed system eliminates the downtime and service calls required to bleed conventional fuel systems, and variable displacement piston pumps efficiently utilize engine horsepower while continuously adjusting power and speed for fast cycle times.
Takeuchi’s control pattern selector valve allows for quick change of operating controls between SAE and ISO patterns to accommodate operator preferences, and a progressive proportional slide switch is standard on most models. Because Takeuchi customers are looking for solutions, Takeuchi’s focus is to build machines that incorporate solutions into every component and feature. Takeuchi’s design philosophy is built around four pillars: performance, durability, serviceability and operator comfort. According to Takeuchi, these pillars are really the expectations that every customer has for the machine, no matter what the application.
Advice to Buyers
“There are many considerations to take into account when looking for a compact excavator, but durability should be one of the biggest factors, especially with purchasing an excavator,” says David Steger, product manager at Takeuchi-US. “Having a machine that increases uptime is crucial for getting the job done on time and on budget. Another factor is the operator’s comfort level inside the machine — factors like overall size, seat quality, control smoothness and general accessibility and function of the machine.“
