FinnMetko Earthmoving Section Round Up (Part Three)

Rounding up my look back at the recent FinnMetko exhibition focusing on the earthmoving machinery on display, and it was all fun and games on my last day at the show!

Longstanding Takeuchi dealer Honka Trading Oy had a decent splash of the red & grey paint on display at the event, with the highlights being a number of 3-Series models including the popular 2.5-tonne TB325R reduced tails swing model fitted with a Finnish manufactured Hw-Oy (Honkajoki Works Oy) tilting bucket.

Also on display was the latest version of the TB395 wheeled excavator that now features four-wheel steering capability. The superb TB2150R was lurking in the background, and this got me thinking, will we possibly be seeing a 3-Series upgrade for this model at next years Bauma, only time will tell.

Honka Trading are also the main dealers in Finland for Hidromek, and they were displaying a couple of examples including the wheeled HMK150WR model. It was great to catch up with Honka Trading’s Sales Manager Antti Forma for a chat and a nice cool beer, cheers!

Leaving the main earthmoving section, I took a steady walk back through the forest, passing numerous stands featuring forest machinery, which you will be able to read about in my colleague Eoghan Dalys reports in the coming months, but I eventually landed on the Avant Techno stand.

The distinctive green compact loader company were showcasing one of two brand new models in its 800 Series range of machines. The 855i is a single-speed version of their popular 860i model.

The machine which has been designed to be more affordable for end users working on a budget features the same Stage V emissions compliant Kohler KDI engine which has a power output rating of 42kW (56hp), has the same pump package, electrical and mechanical components as the 860i, but is fitted with Poclain MSE05 single speed drive motors, this makes the price considerably lower than the two-speed model. Maximum drive speed on this model is a modest 15 km/h.

Heading back towards the main entrance and it was a pleasure to see our good friend’s at Lännen part of the LMCE Group, who are manufacturers of the multi-functional high spec and high-performance backhoe loaders. The wonderful Aija Pietilä was as ever the welcoming face on the stand and its always a delight to catch up with her.  

The 8800M is the company’s most powerful machine, powered by a Stage V emissions compliant Agco Power 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing a whopping power output of 127kW (173hp) @1900rpm.

The company presented 3 machines on the stand including a Lundberg multi-purpose tool carrier, however the standout machine was the 8800M backhoe loader in a distinctive blue livery.

One of my last ports of call was to the Volvo CE Finland stand, where I came across what were easily the largest machines at the show. The 53-tonne class EC530E hydraulic excavator was on static display simulating loading a road going Volvo tipper.

Keeping up with the forestry feel of the event the big L200H High Lift Loader was displayed doing what it does best, loading timber, this machine really is super impressive and was attracting a lot of attention from visitors.

There are still a few gems to reveal from this visit but I will wrap up this roundup series right here with a walkaround video clip.