Yanmar is celebrating the 30th anniversary since the launch of its ViO series compact excavators.
The original launch of the Yanmar CE ViO range of compact excavators popularized the zero tail swing excavator concept.
Unlike other excavators of its kind at the time, rotation of the rear of the superstructure of the ViO machines extend beyond its tracks. This meant the machines could operate in tight spaces without fear of a rear collision with nearby buildings, vehicles or people. The concept was embraced by construction companies around the world. Collectively, thousands of collisions have been avoided.
The zero tail swing concept requires more than a reduction in the size of the superstructure.
In traditional excavators, a protruding counterweight at the rear of the excavator is useful in balancing loads at the front, when lifting or digging, for example. But with this removed, the engineers at Yanmar CE needed to create similar counterweight forces by other means, while still maintaining lift capacity. Now in its 7th generation, the ViO range has expanded and is still going strong.
Recently the designed-for-Japan ViO80-7 was declared a winner in the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’s 2023 Good Design Award.
The ViO zero tail swing concept has consistently developed over the last 30 years. The ViO17 is a good example of the current breed. Neither the counterweight, nor the front part of the upper frame extend beyond the track width. This gives the 1.8-tonne model an extremely tight turning radius. And yet, thanks to its 1.3 metre wide undercarriage, large counterweight and good weight distribution, it maintains great lifting capabilities.
The first Yanmar CTLs
Yanmar is also celebrating its first compact track loader production models, the TL100VS, rolling off the line for the North American market.
The expansion to Yanmar’s compact equipment offering is the culmination of four years of extensive research and development following the company’s acquisition of ASV.
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The compact track loaders also signal Yanmar’s emergence as a comprehensive compact equipment solutions provider for its customers.
“It’s immensely satisfying to see these first machines roll off the line,” said Matt Deloglos, Vice President of Commercial, Yanmar Compact Equipment North America.
“Our team has worked tirelessly towards this goal for the last four years with designing, testing and manufacturing these machines as well as getting the plant and our team ready to launch these products.”
Alongside the TL100VS, Yanmar’s line of compact track loaders includes the TL65RS, TL75VS and TL80VS.
The remaining three new Yanmar compact track loaders are set for production later in 2024.
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