Leading Japanese construction machinery manufacturer Yanmar Construction Company Limited, in association with M H Al Mahroos, a major Bahrain-based construction and industrial equipment trading company, is launching its compact excavators for the Middle East markets at the Big 5 show this month.

Compact excavators show their versatility in numerous applications and boast advantages in four key areas, says Yanmar.
“They do excavation jobs much faster and more efficiently than backhoes; do jobs that backhoes and big excavators cannot perform; have been developed to carry out multiple jobs of big excavators (in smaller steps); are cost-effective and provide a solution to the problems of a shortage and the increasing cost of labour in the Gulf region,” says Youichi Sugino, senior manager of Yanmar Construction.
“Such mechanised machines can not only make the excavation job easier but would also play a vital role in ensuring the timely execution of various construction and infrastructure projects taking place in the entire region,” he adds.
Yanmar compact excavators have hydraulic quick coupler attachments, progressive three-pump systems for better performance and efficiency and are powered by Yanmar TNV (total new value) series DI diesel engines which comply with EU and EPA emission norms. These engines are highly efficient, resulting in less fuel consumption, low emissions and noise level, he points out.
Sugino claims that Yanmar Construction was the first company to introduce the world’s first zero-tail-swing clearance system, in 1993.
Commenting on the salient features of the company’s compact excavators, Sugino says the ViO series (victory over zero) – of which Yanmar has produced the fourth-generation model – ensures the perfect zero-tail-swing. Another feature of the machine is the VICTAS (ViO crawler technology by advanced stability) system, which helps excavators to regain the counterweight balance and maintain the centre of gravity while working and provides an expanded track gauge for added stability without actually increasing undercarriage width, he says. The product comes with both rubberised and metal tracks to suit the needs of operational conditions of the site.
Yanmar produces most of the critical components required for the compact excavators, making it ‘a complete manufacturer’.  “As we manufacture various components by ourselves and assemble it at our own plants, we ensure perfect assembly matching to produce products that have zero-tolerance to defects,” Sugino says.
Hassan Al Mahroos, managing director of Al Mahroos said that initially four models have been introduced in the Gulf region - SV08-1, ViO20-3, ViO35-5 and ViO-55-A - over the last few months, of which around 10 units have been sold.  These excavators are claimed to be robust and have been built to withstand hot, humid and dusty conditions.
“These machines were put on practical operations during peak summer continuously for 13 hours to check their performance and the results were found to be outstanding and there has been an overwhelming response  for   these compact excavators from  various construction and landscape contractors, owners, maintenance providers,” Hassan points out.
“We need to provide suitable total solutions to our customers at a right time, at a right place and at a right cost. With this in mind, we have been associated with Yanmar for marketing its compact excavators, along with Mustang skid steer loaders and Furukawa hydraulic breakers, as a package, at a lower cost compared to any equivalent model of backhoe loaders. With this solution, we aim to offer our customers optimum use of the machines and value for money,” he adds.
Yanmar Construction is a fully-owned subsidiary of the $5 billion Yanmar Company Limited, Japan, a world leader in manufacturing diesel engines ranging from 3.5 hp to 4 MW capacity, catering to industrial, power generation and marine sectors.
The Yanmar holding company was founded in 1912 and has manufacturing units and business operations around the world. The group is into diversified business activities including power generation, agriculture, construction, marine and environmental products. In light of the emerging economies worldwide, the company has ambitious plans for the BRICME markets (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Middle East), Sugino says.
Yanmar Construction and Al Mahroos have agreed to work together in developing the Gulf market. Having already established itself in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Al Mahroos will set up its own showroom outlets and after-sales service workshop facilities in the Gulf, says Hassan.