During its recent dealer meeting, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas unveiled its next-generation mini excavators with its new name and brand.
Hitachi CMA plans to change its name to Landcros in April and is preparing its dealer network and customers for the change by showing its new equipment with the Landcros logo.
For its compact excavators, the company is starting with four next-gen, dash-7 models set for release in the first half of 2027 — the ZX30U-7, ZX35U-7, ZX50U-7 and ZX60US-7. The company will start taking orders later in the year. A ZX75US-7 mini excavator was also at the meeting.
The models share similarities in specs and Yanmar engines as the current dash-5N generation, but with new cabs, technology and features.
The new Hitachi/Landcros ZX50U-7Equipment World
The next-gen model with enclosed cabin weighs 11,750 pounds and runs on a 40-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine. Baker says the engine requires no diesel exhaust fluid or other aftertreatment to meet Tier 4 Final emissions standards.
The ZX750U-7 at the meeting was equipped with a plate compactor and the company’s premium specs, which included quick-coupler piping and single and secondary auxiliary hydraulic lines. The next-gen excavators can run tiltrotators, breakers, mulchers and many other attachments, as well as the basic bucket and thumb.
Powered by“We truly believe that these compact products are tool carriers,” Baker says. “We want to have the right plumbing, the right setup, the right application possibilities to support any customer that comes through any of our dealers' doors.”
The excavators can be equipped with two-way, angle and oscillating dozer blades.
The swing boom is designed for working in tight, confined areas.
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The floor and entrance have been widened several inches for more room.
The analog display in the 5N models has been replaced with a 7-inch LCD anti-glare display. Operators can preset up to 16 different attachments and lock in various hydraulic-flow rates.
The redesign continues to the ergonomic joysticks. The seat moves forward and backward as well as up and down with the armrests. The dozer blade joystick also controls blade float and two-speed travel.
Baker pointed out the attention to detail of Hitachi engineers, including not only a cupholder but a phone holder, a USB port for phone charging, as well as an “old school” 12-volt charging outlet.
“Our cab is jampacked with more space, more technology and more features to make that operator very comfortable throughout the day,” Baker says. “The engineers have worked very hard to make these machines, although compact, feel as roomy as possible inside.”
Other cab features include a front glass that can be pushed up and down and a new windshield washer system that covers 96% of the glass. Hitachi is also partnering with third-party suppliers on things like cab guarding and case drain kits.
Hitachi, soon to be Landcros, ZX30U-7 mini excavatorEquipment World
Despite the name change and the new products, Hitachi says most things about the excavators will remain the same.
“The performance and reliability always stand out,” Baker says. “That is our bread and butter. …
“As we move forward with Landcros, you're still going to have the same reliability, the same engineering and the same product prowess.”
Mini excavators are the second-highest selling category of equipment in the U.S., with more than 32,000 new financed units sold from May 2025 to April 2026, according to Fusable’s latest EDA data.
Hitachi / Landcros ZX50U-7 Specs
- Operating weight: 11,750 lbs.
- Engine: Yanmar 39.6 hp
- Max dig reach: 20’ 1”
- Max dig depth: 12’ 7”
- Arm length: 5’ 7”
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Cab on open ROPS version of XZ50U-7Equipment World
