Yanmar Construction Equipment Company of Fukuoka Japan has completed a major upgrade on their 1.5 tonne class Mini Excavator, which has been in production since 1995.

The new model will be available in Australia from September 2007 and will be known as the Vio17. This unit will have true Zero Tail Swing and be available with a ROPS/FOPS Canopy and rubber tracks, pattern select, travel alarm & expanding track system from 0.95m to 1.28m.

New features include:

• Joy Stick Controls 
• Arm Rests for improved operator comfort
• Larger Radiator
• Larger Hydraulic Tank & separate Hydraulic Oil Cooler
• Removable Fuel Tank
• A Blade with a replaceable Cutting Edge
• Optional Long Arm will be available from November 07
• The unit will be quieter in operation

The working range is max dig depth 2.2m, max dig radius 3.81m, max dump height 2.63m, min dump clearance 1.02m, max bucket digging force of 1550kgf, average ground pressure of 0.28 kgf/cm2 and operating weight 1,740kg. At a radius of 7m, the around noise will be 64 dB(A).

The transport dimensions (L x W x H) are 3.5m x 0.95m x 2.25m. The fuel tank capacity has increased to 20 litres to reduce operator top up time. This new model with these features will be attractive to plumbers and general contractors.