The X4S ecosystem is already one of the best and most popular machine lines from Link-Belt Excavators, but its new 220- and 370-sized excavators feature some of the company’s most advanced features yet.
These advanced features include a payload system to measure bucket volume and prevent overloading, an alarm system that notifies the operator when the machine reaches a certain height and depth, a digital level that measures roll and pitch, and a Dynamic Stability Assist system.
“What Dynamic Stability Assist does is it’s essentially a large cushion that stabilizes the machine during dumping operations,” Tyler Garrity, dealer development specialist at Link-Belt Excavators, said to Equipment World’s Bryan Furnace. “Let’s say you get in a situation where the machine starts to get a little bit tippy. You can actually go into the monitor, and you can scale that, either turn it completely off—if you don’t want any type of cushion at all—or you can actually ramp that up and try to get as much stability as you need.”
Furnace said that stability assist could be a useful “safety net” that helps less-experienced operators, without getting in the way for experienced veterans.
“Everyone is starting to recognize the giant labor shortage that we’re coming across,” Furnace said. “You’re not getting all of these super-experienced operators in the seat. So, I do really appreciate that, as manufacturers, you guys are starting to build in a lot of these safeguards where we can throw some of these inexperienced operators in the cab, and we don’t have to worry about them rolling a machine off a hill or tipping into a truck. … But then I also love the fact that you guys have the option that, if you do get an experienced operator in the seat, … [they] can turn that feature off.”
Garrity also said that Link-Belt is rolling out additional improvements to many of their existing machines, including a redesigned cab, a fuel-saving eco mode, and more. For more info on all these updates, check out Furnace’s full interview with Garrity in the video above.
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Transcript
00:00:00:11 - 00:00:22:15
Bryan Furnace
Hi everybody. Welcome back to Equipment World. I'm your host Brian. And it is the season for some equipment updates. And here to talk with us today is link belt to speak with us about their new X4 s ecosystem coming to their excavator lineup today. Joining us is Tyler Garrity.
00:00:22:17 - 00:00:40:09
Bryan Furnace
So my first question for you is kind of outside of this, this express ecosystem, the industry tends to really link belt, to another manufacturer in the industry. You guys pretty tied tight, pretty close in people's minds. Do you mind explaining how link belt is different and in kind of how you guys have changed through the era?
00:00:40:14 - 00:00:58:16
Tyler Garrity
Yeah, absolutely. I think that's a great question to start off with. Something that, you know, throughout my travels, I got an opportunity to travel quite a bit throughout North America this year. And I do hear that a lot that we tend to be closely related to another manufacturer. And I think it's kind of important to start kind of talking about link belt and how everything began, if you don't mind.
00:00:58:20 - 00:01:23:00
Tyler Garrity
Sure. So our expo, slogan this year is here by Hard Work. So link belts been chipping away for 151 years of innovation. And, you know, our, our main focus is building a and providing a premium product to our end users. So kind of circling back to being closely related to another manufacturer, we actually are, believe it or not, in 2010 we were, wholly purchased by Sumitomo.
00:01:23:02 - 00:01:46:00
Tyler Garrity
Okay. So Link Belt is owned by Sumitomo Construction Machinery out of Japan, and we are actually the only manufacturer that they own when it comes to building excavators. So Sumitomo also builds and has contracts for other OEMs in order to build their machines. And they have done that throughout the years. But there's only one manufacturer here in North America that's actually owned by Sumitomo.
00:01:46:01 - 00:01:48:11
Tyler Garrity
And that would be link belt excavators.
00:01:48:12 - 00:02:10:15
Bryan Furnace
Interesting. Okay. Well, that makes sense. And for everyone that's really familiar with those other competitors, the name Sumitomo is really what everyone kind of ties. That's the knot that ties everything together. So interesting. And I appreciate the background on that kind of getting into our main topic of discussion here, the X-Force ecosystem. What is it and what should people be excited about?
00:02:10:17 - 00:02:33:06
Tyler Garrity
Yeah. So for us is kind of our newest, latest, greatest machine line when it comes to excavators. The X4 line was actually released in 2014. So what we did with the X4 s is we basically just built upon what was already a very well-established machine in the marketplace, so we carried over with our x4 s, we carried over our industry leading five year 5000, our full machine warranty, also our Zuzu engine platform.
00:02:33:06 - 00:02:51:15
Tyler Garrity
For the most part that does not require a diesel particulate filter. We've added some technology to the machine. We changed the graphics around a little bit just to make it look a little bit more modern, but also tweaked, adding like a heavy duty boom, for example. So a few different changes here and there. Completely redeveloped the cab actually to fit more of the, the North American standard.
00:02:51:15 - 00:03:16:00
Tyler Garrity
So quite a few changes to the X4 US machine. We've had a lot of success. Now the entire footprint, has been released. We released the, the 370 X4 as it was back in November of 2024. And then here recently we just actually launched our 145. So our reduced tail swing, 145 x4 us we reduced it at a show here in Louisville, called the Utility Expo.
00:03:16:05 - 00:03:26:12
Bryan Furnace
I tell you what, that 145 class, that's one of my favorite classes of machine. You've got a lot of power there, but in a small footprint that you can get in just about anywhere you need to.
00:03:26:14 - 00:03:42:10
Tyler Garrity
Yeah, I would say overall, that's probably our top selling machine. I would have to look we look at a breakdown to see if maybe that 220 size class or, you know, even the three 50s and 490 size machines are starting to creep up, with a lot of these big projects. But our 145 historically has been our number one selling machine.
00:03:42:10 - 00:03:47:06
Tyler Garrity
And we're happy now that we can provide our x4 s platform to users of that machine.
00:03:47:10 - 00:04:00:08
Bryan Furnace
So, technology has become such a huge front and center topic of discussions when it comes to manufacturers updating their equipment. What are some of the features and options available on the X4 s platform?
00:04:00:12 - 00:04:16:12
Tyler Garrity
Yeah for sure. So what I'll do is I'll break down kind of every single X is that you're going to see. So one thing that we've standardized across the board is called our precision grade technology. So what precision grade is. So we know that operators are going to use whether it be a Trimble system a top gun system a like a system.
00:04:16:14 - 00:04:41:12
Tyler Garrity
We don't necessarily want to kind of hold down what a contractor or end user is going to use when it comes to their grade control solution. So we've actually provided brackets. Some wiring ran inside the cab. And then if you decide to go 3D there's brackets on the back of the counterweight that have already been installed. And those brackets allow you to hold on any system, whether it be Trimble, Top Gun or like a, however you, you decide you want to go, whatever your flavor is, so to speak.
00:04:41:14 - 00:05:01:09
Tyler Garrity
So that's kind of technology that you're going to see across the board. Now with our 220 size machine and also our 370 machine, we've added a fleet of technology called our Advanced Features. So that's going to include a payload system. So it's going to measure the bucket volume. Whether you're loading trucks it prevents overloading. We have a heightened depth alarm.
00:05:01:09 - 00:05:21:12
Tyler Garrity
So that heightened depth alarm is going to notify you at an unknown height or notify you at a known depth, just to keep you within a certain range. We also have our dynamic stability assist. So what dynamic stability assist does. It's essentially a large cushion that just kind of stabilizes the machine during dumping operation. Let's say you get in a situation where the machine starts to get a little bit tippy.
00:05:21:12 - 00:05:38:04
Tyler Garrity
You can actually go into the monitor and you can scale that either you can turn it completely off if you don't want any type of cushion at all, or you can actually ramp that up and try to get as much stability as you possibly need. We also have a digital level that measures roll and pitch directly on the monitor for you.
00:05:38:08 - 00:05:39:21
Bryan Furnace
That's super helpful.
00:05:39:21 - 00:05:54:00
Tyler Garrity
For those specific things that the four that I just mentioned, they're the only available on our 220 size machine and our 370 now. Also our 145 is going to be optional. So you're going to be able to add some of that technology to that specific machine as well, which you'll see coming at that context.
00:05:54:02 - 00:06:12:17
Bryan Furnace
So speaking specifically to that stability assist. And one of the things I do really appreciate as much as the industry loves to sit here and go, quit putting all these unnecessary features on the machines. Everyone starting to recognize this giant labor shortage that we're coming across the unit. You're not getting all of these super experienced operators in the seat.
00:06:12:19 - 00:06:28:09
Bryan Furnace
And so I do really appreciate that. As manufacturers, you guys are starting to build in a lot of these safeguards where we can throw some of these inexperienced operators in the cab, and we don't have to worry about them rolling a machine off a hill or tipping into a truck or something. You've got some of these safety nets.
00:06:28:11 - 00:06:45:04
Bryan Furnace
But then I also love the fact that you guys have the option that if you do get an experienced operator in the seat, and we do want to kind of, you know, there are situations where I want to reach out there and I know the machine is going to tip a little bit. And I'm anticipating that the fact that I can turn that feature off, I think that is a phenomenal feature for the machine.
00:06:45:06 - 00:06:57:02
Tyler Garrity
That, no, I, I completely agree. It's one of those where, like you said, if you're newer and you don't necessarily want that, oh no factor. When the machine starts to tip, you can actually go in. You can ramp that up or experienced operator like yourself, you can completely turn it off.
00:06:57:06 - 00:07:04:12
Bryan Furnace
So can you talk a little bit about the power plant changes? I know you guys have switched engines and some of your units. Can you talk a bit about that and why it happened.
00:07:04:17 - 00:07:21:06
Tyler Garrity
Absolutely. So we actually we introduced with our 170 and our 190, we actually for the first time introduced the Yanmar engine. So we added that Yanmar platform to those two specific machines. Now the good part is we do still have and Yanmar still builds a fantastic machine. We do have the Isuzu engine on the rest of the machines.
00:07:21:08 - 00:07:37:09
Tyler Garrity
That does not require a diesel particulate filter. Nice. Now one thing I will just kind of just kind of go out and say we've always done a lot of marketing when it comes to the diesel particulate filter as a selling piece. Honestly, no one really wants to mess with them when it comes to a diesel particulate filter. If something were to go down, go bad.
00:07:37:11 - 00:07:47:23
Tyler Garrity
Now the Yanmar does require a diesel particular filter. However, it does have a very high life cycle. So to speak, for that filter, but it does fit within our five year, 5000, our full machine warranty.
00:07:48:02 - 00:08:05:00
Bryan Furnace
So can you talk a bit about the cab improvements? I know that's something as as a very cushy princess operator, that's something out of the newer generation of machines I've really come to appreciate is you guys have really started to up the game when it comes to the cab, can you talk a bit about your cab improvements for sure.
00:08:05:00 - 00:08:19:04
Tyler Garrity
We certainly have, and I think that if you put one of our x4 machines right next to one of our express machines, and you have and we've done this, and you have somebody that hops up in our new machine, the first thing that they're going to notice is our brand new monitor. So we have a ten inch monitor that's in the machine.
00:08:19:04 - 00:08:36:05
Tyler Garrity
Also we've repositioned, if you said in one of our machines before, you know that there's been some buttons there, usually as buttons underneath, like your armrest when you're inside the cab. Yeah, we've actually eliminated all of those buttons and added them in different parts of the column directly in front of you. Perfect. That way. It just I mean, you're talking about operators being newer.
00:08:36:05 - 00:08:46:02
Tyler Garrity
It just allows line of sight and safety to basically be directly in front of you, or maybe just a, just a hair to the right. Plus it's kind of annoying at times when you have to lift up your arm.
00:08:46:04 - 00:09:01:04
Bryan Furnace
And I'm going to be honest with you running those Sumitomo machines. There have been so many times where I have been looking for a button, and it doesn't occur to me right off the bat to pick up the armrest and look under the armrest. And so I'll waste, you know, a good 30s looking for this button. And then I finally go, oh, there it is.
00:09:01:08 - 00:09:02:17
Bryan Furnace
Yep. So I love that. Yeah.
00:09:02:18 - 00:09:30:14
Tyler Garrity
So everything's been repositioned. So a lot of that like AC controls for example, have been repositioned to the bottom of the monitor. We've introduced a few new work modes. We now have a dedicated lift mode and also a dedicated eco mode. The eco mode just basically throttles RPM back and forth. So for example, if you're loading a truck when you're making a pass and you actually need the RPM and you need basically just the engine to be doing its work, going up to the truck dumping and then coming back to the whole, for example, all of those RPMs are going to ramp itself back down.
00:09:30:14 - 00:09:46:16
Tyler Garrity
So it just is an eco mode to help you save some fuel. So with the new monitor, the new work modes that we have and just the bigger interior, I believe the number is 9% bigger. Is the overall cap space compared to what was the X4? Wow. It was already a very, you know, spacious cab. To start with.
00:09:46:16 - 00:09:54:07
Tyler Garrity
So they were very happy with the improvements that have been made to the cam new. We're getting a lot of really good feedback from operators out in the field about that specifically.
00:09:54:12 - 00:10:06:07
Bryan Furnace
Excellent. So my final question for you is is this something the express package or ecosystem, if you will, is that coming to the full excavator lineup or is it only hitting certain models? What all is included.
00:10:06:09 - 00:10:28:09
Tyler Garrity
It's coming to the full excavator lineup as a as of now. That's where it stands right now. So everything from essentially our 145 size all the way through our 370 size has the current x4 s lineup as of right now. Obviously internally we're looking at revamping and redeveloping the rest of our lineup to fit that mold. Eventually we'll kind of see where that takes us, but that's where it stands right now.
00:10:28:11 - 00:10:48:12
Tyler Garrity
We also have our lineup of heavy duty machines, so we do build a high, wide, heavy duty machine that's actually running under our X4 platform that a lot of people don't know about. Then obviously our Forester machines and also our material handling machines, those still, as of right now, we're on either our B series forestry platform or our X4 platform currently.
00:10:48:14 - 00:10:55:02
Bryan Furnace
Well, Tyler, thank you again for taking the time to chat with us about the X for US system and link belt. Overall, I really appreciate it.
00:10:55:04 - 00:10:58:13
Tyler Garrity
Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for having me. I enjoyed it.
00:10:58:15 - 00:11:11:08
Bryan Furnace
Well, thank you again for Tyler coming on the show to speak to us about the new X4. S ecosystem and all of the improvements coming to the Lake Belt excavator lineup make sure you check out their booth that connects both. You guys have a great one and we'll catch you next time.