Better balance

1222 Terex says that three of the latest ASV-designed tracked loaders, the PT30, PT60 and PT80, are now being offered in Europe. Although there are seven models in the PT range in all, Terex has opted to sell these particular units in Europe as it sees the greatest market potential. Should demand prove sufficient, Terex may opt to CE mark the other tracked loaders for the European market as well at some point.

Global Product Manager for the compact tracked loaders, Mark Raymond, said that the PT30 is particularly important as it is the most compact tracked loader on the market at present. Power for this 1.5tonne machine comes from a 22kW 299 Perkins 403-DV5 diesel and the machine offers a 363kg lift capacity. "Nobody else has a tracked loader like this. It's the smallest on the market," he said The PT80 is a much larger and more powerful machine that weighs in at 4.07tonnes, features a 1.4tonne lift capacity, a 56kW Perkins diesel and offers a 15kp/h top travel speed. Both machines feature hydrostatic drives and share a similar design concept, with a low centre of gravity and good weight distribution. Raymond said that unlike most rival compact tracked loaders, which are based on skid steer loader chassis, the Terex units have been purpose-built in this configuration. As a result, the engine is mounted comparatively low in the chassis and he explained this design allows far better rearward visibility than most competing units. Terex bought the ASV (all season vehicle) compact tracked loader range earlier this year.