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COVER STORY

However, as Off-Highway Research’s new report, The Backhoe Capturing Equipment Advances:
Loader Industry In India, notes, this shift may be relatively short- The overall industry now tends to shift to virtual interaction.
lived. “Currently under 50 horsepower backhoe loaders segment Technology-driven companies are now taking the help of the
has a substantial share of total sales. Off-Highway Research virtual interface more. They are working towards creating a more
predicts its share to increase further in the short term primarily trouble-free machine and a system to provide remote assistance
due to their lower price. However, this price differential is expected to the customers. With customers’ profit margins under pressure,
to become much smaller after implementation of CEV Stage-V manufacturers are striving to make owning and operating their
from April 2024, which may result in a shift back towards higher machines financially viable during the current lean period. But as
horsepower machines. The Stage V regulations will affect a wider demand improves, competition is likely to become more intense
spectrum of engines, down as far as 19 kW (25 horsepower). – and so will marketing. In fact, an aggressive marketing plan by
According to Fact.MR research report, currently, the market for manufacturers augurs well for the infra sector as it will broaden the
center pivot backhoe loaders is growing significantly as these range of product offerings and make prices more competitive.
types of backhoe loaders are setting new benchmarks for better It will also strengthen the pre- and post-sales customer support
operator comfort, exceptional performance, versatility, and job and service packages of the manufacturers to beat competition.
site efficiency. The center pivot backhoe loaders are estimated For instance, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has agreed to distribute
to account for 86% in terms of revenue by 2022 end and are Kemroc’s cutting-edge equipment in India. Kemroc is a global
expected to grow at a value CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast maker of attachments for excavators and backhoe loaders. The
duration. Trailing close behind are sideshift backhoe loaders contract covers Kemroc-developed specific attachments, such
foreseen to cross ~US$ 500 million by the end of the forecast as its revolutionary EK chain cutters. These chain cutters have
period by contributing over 11% in the overall absolute dollar revolutionised rock trenching and are widely used around the
opportunity created by the end of 2032. world, especially in India.
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The demand for backhoe loaders with high engine horsepower Cat Backhoe Loaders provide superior digging, trenching, back-
is growing as it offers better performance, higher fuel saving and filling and material handling capability and can be used for many
fast response time in excavation, loading and digging. Backhoe applications, including but not limited to General Construction,
loaders with 80-100 horsepower are estimated to capture over Demolitions and Excavations, Landscaping, Breaking Asphalt and
48% of absolute dollar opportunity created over the forecast Paving. Cat backhoes deliver the power and precise handling
period. However, owing to the better price to performance ratio when operating in areas where using larger equipment is not
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along with the excellent maneuverability, backhoe loaders with practical. The Cat 424 Backhoe Loader delivers exceptional
below 80 HP are also foreseen to auger well in the global market performance, superior fuel efficiency and a comfortable, safe
over the forecast period. The backhoe loaders with below 80 and spacious operator station. The Cat C3.6 engine meets BS-V
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horsepower are estimated to account for ~1.5X of the overall CMVR emissions standards, a step ahead of current regulatory
value created by the above 100 horsepower segment over the requirements ensuring longevity in the market. The engine delivers
course of forecast duration. impressive peak torque of up to 424 N·m from an optimized

14 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|DECEMBER 2022