Wheeled loaders are at the heart of many operations because they maintain productivity and efficiency. The latest updates from manufacturers are prioritising these key factors.
Hitachi’s wheeled loader solutions are used all around the world, including in Italy, where a construction company has utilised one of these machines to boost its production capabilities.
Italian company CarBa srl has taken on a second Hitachi ZW250-7 wheeled loader at its facility in Soncino. The ZW250-7 was delivered at the end of 2024 by Hitachi authorised dealer SCAI, as CarBa srl looked for a machine to help its concrete and asphalt production.
CarBa has long specialised in roadworks, adding asphalt production to its operations in 2024 to complement its concrete and steel production. This expansion in operations facilitated the need for another wheeled loader as the company, led by chief executive officer Mauro Carminati, wanted to optimise its supply chain.
CarBa already operated one ZW250-7 wheeled loader, and positive operator feedback led to the purchase of a second model from SCAI.
“This machine will remain exclusively at the Soncino site, managing aggregates for our batching and asphalt plants,” Carminati said. “It’s a vital all-rounder that allows us to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.”
CarBa operators were impressed by machine’s user-friendly design, including its multifunction joystick and all-round visibility from the cabin. The ZW250-7 wheeled loader features the Aerial Angle camera system, which provides a 270° bird’s eye view and rear obstacle-detection system.
“With two plants now in operation, internal traffic has increased,” Carminati said. “The obstacle-detection system was a necessary addition to enhance site safety.”
CarBa opted for additional enhancements to its second Hitachi ZW250-7 wheeled loader. The newer model has a larger 3.60m³ bucket and an integrated payload weighing system to provide precise load measurements.
“We knew exactly what we were getting with this machine,” Carminati said.
“The ZW250-7 has already proven its reliability, and these new features make it an even more valuable asset for our operations.”
The next generation
When Caterpillar unveiled the Cat 395 front shovel (FS) large excavator as part of its bauma 2025 showcase, it marked the company’s first new front shovel configuration in more than a decade.
While it is expected to be officially launched to the market later this year, attendees of bauma 2025 in Munich had the opportunity see the new machine up close.
The Cat 395 FS is designed for quarrying and mining operators, delivering better fuel economy and low maintenance costs than previous models.
The new excavator is equipped with a reinforced, extra-durable undercarriage, additional cylinder guards, and long-life fuel and hydraulic oil filters. The cabin is designed with the operator in mind and features include an ergonomic seat, touchscreen display, climate control, noise insulation, and vibration reduction.
“The 395 FS has an official target launch of October 2025, but there’s no better place than bauma to showcase the pre-production model and have potential customers ‘see it in the metal’,” Caterpillar product and sales consultant Vincent Migeotte said. “We’re excited to have the 395 FS join the large excavator line-up.
“At the top of the design wish list for the 395 FS were three primary objectives: robust digging and breakout force, lightning-quick loading cycles, and rigorous bucket full.
“Customers repeatedly told us that they need a machine that not only offers peak performance but can operate consistently at those peak levels.
“That’s borne out in the 395 FS, with a maximum ground level digging force up to truck height, matched by a powerful breakout force at the bucket cutting edge that promises superior material penetration and optimal bucket fill factors.”
Expanding in North America
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced a multi-year agreement with Herc Rentals, expanding its presence in North America.
The new agreement will see several hundred Volvo EC37 compact excavators added to the rental company’s fleet across North America and be made available to customers in the region. The first phase of Herc Rentals’ order was completed earlier this year, and more models are expected to be delivered to branches in the US and Canada throughout 2025.
“This is the culmination of a cooperative effort to build a machine spec that renters will appreciate, and we’re excited for Herc Rentals customers to have such great access to the EC37,” Volvo CE head of national rental accounts Kent Somerville said.
“The three-to four-tonne range makes up more than a quarter of the compact excavator market in North America. It’s a competitive market, but the versatility and comfort of the EC37 definitely make it stand out.”
Volvo CE sought feedback on the EC37 excavator from Herc Rentals technicians, salespeople, and other staff at the Herc Rentals ProExpo in early 2024. This input directly influenced the final version of the model, including updates that made it easier to change attachments, a larger cabin with enhanced ergonomic features, and factory-installed telematics.
According to Volvo CE’s data, the EC37 excavator provides 10 percent better fuel efficiency compared to earlier Volvo models.
“Collaborating with Volvo on the EC37 allowed us to incorporate essential features that significantly impact our customers’ success,” Herc Rentals vice president for product support and fleet operations Matt Gavin said.
“Our partnership with Volvo is invaluable. They resonate with our core values and prioritise what truly matters to us, demonstrating their commitment to creating an exceptional customer experience.”
Ready to work
Komatsu Europe has debuted the new WA700-8 wheeled loader after more than a “decade of development”.
Komatsu showcased the WA700-8 in a live demonstration at bauma 2025.
The engineers at Komatsu Europe have revamped the WA700-8 based on customer feedback, emphasising safety and operator wellbeing as essential considerations during the purchasing process.
A new safety package comes as standard in the WA700-8, including emergency push buttons, certified anchorage and tie-down points, and battery, starte, and hydraulic lockouts. A new advanced joystick steering system and electronic pilot control levers are designed to make it easier for the operator.
“I’m very excited to introduce our WA700-8 in Europe, which offers a perfect match with our 60-tonne rigid dump truck,” Komatsu Europe deputy general manager of product marketing Jo Monsieur said. “Without any doubt, it will excite any operator with its performance, large cabin and wealth of safety features.
“After more than a decade of development, this reinvented giant is now fully ready to claim its place in quarries across Europe and beyond.” AB
