Bauma 2025 – a look back - Construction Plant News

There’s nothing like a Bauma. The CPN team put in the hard miles around the gigantic Messe Munchen exhibition centre to check out some of the machinery delights on offer.

Bauma, the triennial Bavarian machinery fest, is always associated with the giant show-stopping machinery that most of us rarely get chance to see in the real world, and of course whilst they are amazing to witness, there are many other items of kit on display that are equally important to the construction machinery sector.

Komatsu had a significant presence at the exhibition and once again took the title for having the largest show stopping machine at the event, as it displayed the 700-tonne class PC7000-11E electric powered hydraulic excavator which was shown in backhoe configuration.

Fitted with a 44mÑ heavy duty bucket the PC7000-11E can be perfectly matched with the Komatsu mining truck range from 730E up to 980E. This gigantic machine was quite literally the biggest draw for the crowds during the regular demo shows put on by the company. For most of us, this is often the only chance we get to see such enormous excavators, as by their very nature, they are usually working in vast mines in remote areas of the world away from view, so to see one in the flesh is always a real treat.

The other highlight was the reveal of the all-new and long-awaited Dash-12 hydraulic excavator range, starting with the PC220LCi-12. It features an all-new powerful 129kW high torque Komatsu next generation engine, which is paired with the new high efficiency electronically controlled hydraulic system, translating to an 18% reduction in average fuel consumption, which Komatsu says, will save customers approximately 2.1 litres per hour compared to the outgoing Dash-11 model.

The new hydraulic system, combined with large-class hydraulic cylinders, and highcapacity hydraulic pumps, delivers an 7% increase in arm and bucket forces, allowing for easier digging and material movement, ultimately reducing your cost per tonne.

The advanced hydraulic system translates to razor-sharp reflexes and zerolag response to the operators’ input, creating an intuitive connection where the machine and driver become one.

The all-new cab design looks like a decent place to spend your days, with 30% more legroom and an all-new premium seat option which ensures that operators can work in absolute comfort. Other mods include 50% increase in lower right-hand side visibility, overhead cooling vents, joystick steering as standard, and numerous storage spaces located around the cab.

As has become common these days a high definition 8in touchscreen monitor is fitted, providing intuitive control and easy information access. Moreover, the machine features ultra-versatile, programmable super-ergonomic electronic control levers and fully customisable hydraulic settings that together allow operators to tailor the machine to their specific needs.

Develon chose Bauma to unveil the first models from the company’s new Next Generation ‘-9’ smart crawler excavator range. The Next Generation -9 range represents the latest stage in the Korean manufacturer’s proud legacy that can be traced back through five generations of excavators that began with the Solar range in the 1980s.

These machines are not the result of some cosmetic makeover, they are totally new designed from the ground up. Two new models were showcased for the first time in public, and the 23-tonne class DX230LC- 9 was the focus of a ceremonial reveal attended by senior Develon management on the first morning of Bauma.

The DX230LC-9 was on static display while the larger 26-tonne DX260LC-9 was being put through its paces on the adjoining demo plot and was also utilised as part of the reveal process of the DX230LC-9. With the -9 range, Develon is aiming to set a new standard for future products and technologies in construction equipment.

Like all -9 models, the DX230LC-9 and DX260LC-9 models achieve this goal by combining 10 ground-breaking technologies and will redefine and set new industry levels of productivity, safety, operator convenience and sustainability, claims the manufacturer.

These machines include a number advanced safety features including the smart all-round viewing monitor (SAVM) which includes AI-based object detection technology, that can identify both moving or stationary individuals who are in close proximity to the machine. There is also the advanced lift assist system which will warn operators of any risk of a tip over incident. The new E-stop and virtual wall functions further help to prevent accidents.

To aid safety, the area surrounding the machine is clearly defined into specific zones: a yellow warning zone (zone 2) and a red danger zone (zone 1). The SAVM and Estop system utilise six cameras and three radars and work in three stages with a detection range of 13m and 330°.

The new cabs are quite stunning offering superb levels of comfort. The seat caught our eye immediately, it has the look and feel of something one might find in a high-end luxury saloon car, and features heating and cooling functions.

A wide and easy to use 12.8in full colour monitor is fitted and the screen can be navigated by using the multi-function jog dial. Premium quality joysticks come as standard and all buttons and controls also have a feel of high-end quality about them. Develon provides customised solutions through its FEH (full electro hydraulic) control system on the -9 models. The operability and controllability of these machines can be fine-tuned, according to the unique characteristics of different workspaces and user preferences. This personalisation maximises both efficiency and comfort, allowing operators to access optimised settings even when multiple individuals utilise the same equipment.

Operators have tuning options and can customise joystick sensitivity, option-arm balance, boom-swing balance, and more to match driving habits and job site needs. Develon’s solutions ensure a comfortable, precise, and efficient machine handling experience for a variety of attachments and work styles.

OEM deals

Japanese manufacturer Kubota’s stand was buzzing with plenty plenty of new things to see and talk about. We finally got to see the long-awaited reveal of the 14-15 tonne class U145 hydraulic excavator, which is manufactured by Sumitomo as part of an OEM agreement with Kubota. Interest in the new Kubota model was high despite the fact that most of us have pawed over this machine sporting different colours over last the couple of years, most notably CASE, in the UK, but also seen as Link-Belt in the US and of course in original Sumitomo yellow in other markets.

This machine will however, be a great addition to the Kubota range enabling it to offer a larger excavator to complement its existing range of mini excavators. In addition, Kubota has also agreed another OEM deal, this time with Liebherr, to supply Kubota with 9 and 11-tonne wheeled excavators, which sees the Japanese manufacturer make a return to the wheeled excavator market after many years of absence.

It’s worth noting that these machines will also be powered by a Kubota diesel engine. However, its looks like customers will have a bit of a wait to get their hands on one, as production is not expected to start at Liebherr until 2026.

Liebherr is always the big go-to stand at Bauma, it’s a booth that covers an area spanning15,000 mÇ, which with more than100 exhibits, dominates the whole showground and literally takes months to assemble.

Show stoppers here were once again the big hydraulic excavator, on this occasion the 400-tonne class R 9400 E electric mining excavator which was in backhoe configuration. It was demonstrated at set times throughout the show, which was always a crowd pleaser.

In its familiar spot parked next to the excavator, Liebherr presented its 240-tonne payload, T 264 E battery electric, autonomous mining truck. The machine’s battery system has been developed by Fortescue, one of Liebherr’s mining customers in Australia, and can facilitate static charging and charging via a robotic charging arm.

Liebherr also showcased the latest version of its heavyweight dozer the PR 776 Generation 8 which is powered by Stage V emissions compliant Liebherr diesel engine offering a power output rating of 565kw (768hp). On a much smaller scale Liebherr introduced its two new compact wheeled excavator models the A 909 and A 911, which will compete in the 9- and 11- tonne class respectively.

Green is good

There was a distinctively green feel to the LiuGong stand at Bauma this year, and after not attending the 2022 edition of the world’s largest construction machinery trade fair, the company was certainly out to make a statement this time around.

Machines sporting the distinctive fluorescent green livery of its electric equipment range dominated one end of the stand. The five electric machines presented included the 870HE wheeled loader, the 924FE hydraulic excavator, the DR50CE rigid mining truck and the 4280DE electric motor grader. Also featuring on an operator competition was the new 9018FE electric powered mini hydraulic excavator which was attracting a regular flow of operators wanting to test their skills out.

One of the most interesting machines was the 25-tonne class 4280DE motor grader, which has been designed for haul road maintenance in mines and quarries. The grader features a 423kWh battery which is said to offer 8-10 hours of continuous runtime, which we assume would depend on the workload and conditions. Also presented were the manufacturer’s latest T-Series diesel-powered wheeled loaders including the big 890T model which was making its world premiere.

The Bobcat booth at Bauma is always a buzzing place to visit, and with so many machines in the range to see, it’s always a good place to spend an hour or two. This year’s major launch was the 1-2 tonne R2 Series mini excavators, with four brand new models being shown in public for the very first time. Additionally, there was an upgrade for the popular top of the range R2 Series E88.

The new generation R2-Series 1-2 tonne mini excavators include the E16, E17z, E19 and E20z models, replacing the previous MSeries E17, E17z, E19 and E20z machines, respectively. The R2-Series introduces several new features, most notably its high-performance SmartFlow hydraulic system. This system uses a load-sensing pump bundled with a closed centre/flow-sharing main control valve. All of this is powered by a new engine, creating an engineering setup that is exceptionally sophisticated for compact machines of this size.

This combination essentially provides the power on demand seen in larger excavators, ensuring continuously available power that improves precision and efficiency. The new mini excavators maximise hydraulic flow, while utilising minimum energy for operation.

HD Hyundai chose Bauma as the launchpad for its first battery powered electric mini excavator the HX19e. The 2- tonne class model is offered with a choice of battery packs. The standard 32kWh battery offers around 3-4 hours of operation, whilst the larger 40kWh battery delivers around 6.7 hours of continuous operation.

New skid steers were displayed for the first time, including the HS120V, and the increasingly popular compact tracked loader variant the HT100V which is also a brand-new product for Hyundai. These machines feature EU Stage V emissions compliant engines, vertical liftpath loader arm geometry and a comfortable operator cabin space with a sliding up and over entry door.

The company also revealed its latest cutting-edge HX360L and HX400L crawler excavators. These formidable machines, weighing in at 36 and 40 tonnes respectively, represent a total rethink from Hyundai, designed from scratch to deliver unmatched productivity, efficiency, and operator comfort.

The revolutionary HW155 Hydrogen powered wheeled excavator was also working on the demonstration plot on a daily basis, the first time it’s been seen working in public we believe.

Takeuchi displayed new prototype electric powered mini excavators namely the TB10e which weighs in at around 1,180kgs and the significantly larger TB35e which tips the scales at 3,960kgs. Also shown was the TB20e which has been available commercially for some time in canopy form, and which can now be configured with a fully heated cabin. Also displayed were examples from Takeuchi’s range of compact tracked loaders such as the TL12V2, these machines continue to grow in popularity and it would be good to see this brand in the UK in the future.

American giant Caterpillar was celebrating 100 years in business and presented a wide range of products in collaboration with German dealer Zeppelin in the usual location of hall B6. Highlights on display were the latest version of the iconic Cat D8 tracked type tractor, whilst at the other end of the scale it presented the new 265 compact tracked loader. Also on show was the 395 hydraulic excavator which is now available in face shovel configuration.

Talking of face shovels Hitachi Construction Europe presented the 90- tonne class KTEG Zaxis 890LD-7 which was also displayed in face shovel configuration and is part of a joint venture with Kiesel Technology GmbH. South African manufacturer Bell Equipment chose the exhibition as the launchpad for its new range of in-house built motor graders. On the stand was the G140 model, which is the smallest of the threemodel line-up, which includes the G160 and the top of the range G200 which is designed for the bulk earthworks and mining sectors.

Turkish manufacturer Hidromek presented two new models in the 7-8 tonne class midi excavator range. The 7.2- tonne HMK 70 CR (compact radius) and the HMK 85 SR (short radius) are both designed to work in tight quarters and congested job sites. With compact or short tailswing and off-set arms these machines are sure to raise interest in the UK market. The company also showcased its largest hydraulic excavator ever, the all new 80- tonne class HMK 800 LC HD which made an impressive stamp on the stand.

The European division of Chinese manufacturer Sunward showcased a number of new machines including the all. new SWE 60 UFE, a 6,000kg electric lithium-ion battery powered model, that has a power output of 30kw.

The smallest model in the Sunward mini excavator range, the sub-1-tonne SWE08F was also presented for the first time. Examples from Sunward’s new compact wheeled loader range were also on the stand including the SL06W and SL12W models.

Air of optimism

German attachment manufacturer Holp GmbH was on home turf with its extensive range of attachments including the strong and durable Rototop attachment rotation system which is gaining interest in many markets as a cost-effective alternative to tiltrotators and is supported by a 3-year warranty deal. The MultiGrip bucket was also being demonstrated.

Despite global uncertainties, this year’s Bauma felt like an optimistic affair. And, while companies exporting to the US acknowledged the threat of tariffs and trade wars, their view was largely a hopeful ‘let’s wait and see’.

Suffice to say Bauma is so big, you need at least three days to see it all at a reasonable pace, the unimaginable size of the show takes some believing. Our three days were over in a flash and now we have to wait another three years for the next one to come along. It is without a doubt, the heartbeat of the construction machinery industry and should be applauded as such.