Machine Matters

Compact Track Loaders
CTLs Dominate 40 Years After Tracks Added to a Skid Steer – Buyer’s Guide 2025
Here’s the latest from ASV, Case, Caterpillar, Bobcat, Develon, Hyundai, John Deere, JCB, Kioti, Kubota, Manitou, New Holland, Sany, Takeuchi, Wacker Neuson and Yanmar.
July 23, 2025
Takeuchi is credited with the first compact track loader in 1986 after its founder saw a wheeled skid steer stuck in mud. However, ASV is credited with the first CTL to hit the market, with its MD-70 Posi-Track, in 1990. Takeuchi launched its first commercial CTL in 1991 as the TL26, shown above.
Backhoe Loaders
Backhoes Hangin’ Tough for 70 Years: Buyer’s Guide 2025
Here's a rundown of the most popular models, as well as the latest from Case, Caterpillar, JCB, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland and Sany.
June 18, 2025
The book “Wain-Roy and the Invention of the Backhoe” says the first hydraulic backhoe was sold in 1948 by the Wain-Roy Corporation of Massachusetts. It consisted of a hydraulic swing-frame digger mounted to a Ford Model 8N tractor. It was sold to the Connecticut Light and Power Company for $705.
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June 27, 2025
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Graders/Scrapers
Motor Graders, You’ve Come a Long Way in 100 Years! – Buyer’s Guide 2025
Here's a rundown of the most popular models, as well as the latest from Case, Cat, John Deere, Komatsu, LeeBoy and Sany.
May 21, 2025
In 1920, the Russell Grader Co. introduced the first self-propelled motor grader. The company's first 'Motor Patrol' built on a Caterpillar track-type tractor came out in 1926 (left), and two years later Caterpillar bought Russell and began producing the industry's first motor grader built as one dedicated machine. Nearly 100 years later, the Cat 140 (right) was the top-selling motor grader in the U.S. in 2024 for new financed equipment, according to EDA.
Skid Steer Loaders
What’s New for Skid Steers? Buyer’s Guide 2025
Here's the latest in skid steers from Bobcat, Case, Caterpillar, Deere, JCB, Kubota, New Holland.
March 19, 2025
john deere 330 PTier skid steer with grader attacment
Compact Excavators
What’s New for Compact Excavators? Buyer’s Guide 2025
The latest from Bobcat, Case, Caterpillar, Deere, Develon, Hitachi, JCB, Kato, Kubota, Mecalac, New Holland, Takeuchi, Volvo, Yanmar
February 20, 2025
bobcat e35 excavator digging trench
Off-Road Trucks
What’s New for Articulated Dump Trucks? Buyer's Guide 2025
Here’s the latest in ADTs from Bell, Caterpillar, Develon, Hyundai, John Deere, Liebherr, Rokbak and Volvo.
January 22, 2025
front of cat 745 articulated dump truck running through mud puddle
Compact Wheel Loaders
The Compact Wheel Loader: A Sweet Spot Between Skid Steers & Big Loaders
A look at what's new with these popular little loaders from Case, Cat, Deere, Kubota, Manitou, Mecalac, New Holland, Takeuchi, Volvo, Yanmar.
December 11, 2024
John Deere 326 P-Tier compact wheel loader with full bucket
Compact Utility Loaders
The Latest in Stand-on Mini Loaders (or Whatever You Call Them) for 2024
These tiny toolcarriers have many names – and many purposes – for tackling smaller jobs and saving workers' backs.
November 13, 2024
man in red shirt operating wacker neuson SM100 mini track loader carrying logs
Dozers
When It's Time to Do Some Real Dirt Moving – The Latest in Dozers for 2024
Features such as electrohydraulic controls, 2D and 3D machine control and designs to make operation easier are becoming more prevalent.
October 9, 2024
CASE 850M Dozer pushing dirt
Excavators
Excavator Buyers’ Guide 2024: The Latest Trends and Newest Models
What you should know before you buy and what's new from Bobcat, Case, Develon, Hyundai, JCB, John Deere, KOBELCO, Link-Belt, Takeuchi, Volvo.
September 11, 2024
john Deere 350 P-Tier Excavator digging at dusk
Compact Track Loaders
“There’s Something for Everyone” – Compact Track Loaders Continue to Evolve
The latest CTLs from Bobcat, Case, Cat, Develon, Hyundai, JCB, John Deere, Kioti, Kubota, New Holland and Takeuchi.
July 10, 2024
bobcat t86 CTL planing road
Backhoe Loaders
Backhoe Pros & Cons – Technology Catches Up to the Jobsite Workhorse
We examine the backhoe's strengths and weaknesses, latest tech and models from Cat, Case, Deere, JCB, Kubota, New Holland.
June 25, 2024
JCB 4CX backhoe digging with excavator end stabilizers extended
Graders/Scrapers
Motor Graders Getting Easier to Operate, More Versatile
See the latest from Caterpillar, John Deere and Komatsu and what contractors should look for when shopping.
May 14, 2024
Cat 150 motor grader scraping snow on road at night
Compact equipment
What's a Small Articulated Loader and Why are They So Popular?
Move over skid steers and compact track loaders, a new player is gaining market share. The pros and cons of SALs and what's on the market.
April 3, 2024
Wacker Neuson WL38 small articulated loader dumping dirt in back of dumper
Skid Steer Loaders
The Ever-Stalwart Skid Steer – New Models Keep on Coming
The latest in skid steers from Bobcat, Caterpillar, Hyundai, JCB, John Deere, Kioti, Kubota and Wacker Neuson.
March 6, 2024
Kioti SL750 skid steer kicking up dust
Compact Utility Loaders
Stand-On Mini Loaders: Doing So Much More Than Loading
A rundown of the latest in compact utility loaders with buying tips from Bobcat, Case, Dixie Chopper, Kubota, Toro and Vermeer.
November 2, 2023
Case TL100 compact utility loader dumping dirt
Dozers
The Latest in Dozers for 2023: New Models, Upgrades on the Way
Check out the newest models from Case, Cat, Deere, Develon, Dressta, Komatsu, Liebherr and Tigercat.
October 4, 2023
Develon DD130 dozer pushing dirt
Wheel Loaders
Getting Easier for Operators: A Rundown of the Latest Wheel Loaders
The latest models from Case, Cat, Deere, Develon, Komatsu, Liebherr, LiuGong, Volvo, Hitachi, Wacker Neuson, Mecalac and Yanmar.
August 9, 2023
Cat 938 wheel loader approaching pipe with forks
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Top Stories
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The Dirt
Kubota’s Next-Gen Excavators: Why are They So Popular?
On this episode of The Dirt, we take a deep dive into Kubota’s dash-5 mini excavator lineup.
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Compact Track Loaders
Takeuchi’s First EH-Controlled Compact Track Loader – the TL11R3
Takeuchi is credited with the first compact track loader in 1986 after its founder saw a wheeled skid steer stuck in mud. However, ASV is credited with the first CTL to hit the market, with its MD-70 Posi-Track, in 1990. Takeuchi launched its first commercial CTL in 1991 as the TL26, shown above.
Compact Track Loaders
CTLs Dominate 40 Years After Tracks Added to a Skid Steer – Buyer’s Guide 2025
Toro Edingo Thumb
Compact equipment
A Closer Look: Toro Debuts its First Tracked, Electric Dingo & Ultra Buggies
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